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Mpumalanga Farm Launches Water-based Solar Plant
Mpumalanga farm launches water-based solar plant
By Octavia Avesca Spandiel | 27 August 2024 | 7:49 am
Radley Landgoed, a 1 900ha family-owned farm near Malelane in Mpumalanga, has launched a large-scale water-based solar plant, marking a significant innovation in the agricultural sector’s approach to renewable energy.
The state-of-the-art solar power system, comprising 80% solar panels and covering 3 350m2 floats on the surface of one of the farm’s largest irrigation dams.
According to Renald Radley, who manages the mixed farming operation with his brothers Wilscott and Henno, the project was driven by the need to overcome the challenges posed by load-shedding and rising electricity costs.
“Load-shedding has had a significant impact on our irrigation schedule, which in turn affects our crop yield. At times, we’ve lost as much as 15% of our production due to the inability to pump water when needed,” he said.
The project, completed within a year and financed through a partnership with Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking division, has a production capacity of up to 1.8GWh. This capacity allows the estate to operate independently from the national grid during critical periods, mitigating the impact of South Africa’s frequent load-shedding on farming operations.
The strategic placement of solar panels on the irrigation dam not only preserves valuable agricultural land but also leverages the cooling effect of the water, which enhances the efficiency of the panels. Additionally, this set-up simplifies maintenance, with workers able to access the panels via walkways for easy cleaning and repairs.
Yaseen Guman, head of Business Banking Client Coverage for Mpumalanga at Standard Bank, said the project was significant for the agriculture sector: “This solar plant represents a major
advancement in agricultural energy solutions. With a lifespan of 30 years, we expect it to pay for itself within about ten years. Savings have already begun to accrue, demonstrating the long-term financial benefits of the investment.”
The Radley family, who have managed the farm for roughly 80 years, decided to embrace solar energy as a sustainable solution to the increasing challenges posed by load-shedding and escalating energy costs.
The estate’s diverse agricultural activities − including 157ha of citrus orchards, 536ha of high-sucrose sugar cane, 34ha of mango orchards and an Nguni cattle stud − are now safeguarded by the consistent and reliable power provided by the solar installation.
Beyond operational efficiency, the solar project could also provide economic benefits through potential EU carbon credits for the farm’s produce, which is processed at the nearby Malelane Citrus Cooperative for export. This could translate into better pricing and increased sales volumes, benefiting both the Radley Landgoed farm and the broader agricultural community.
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