African MOC. Engen has installed solar PV systems at 150 Engen Petroleum fuel stations across Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The installations, with a combined capacity of nearly 6.59 MW, will produce 12.2-million kilowatt-hours of electricity during the first year of operation.
This project is significantly reducing Engen’s reliance on grid power, while also lowering its CO2 emissions. The fuel stations are able to use solar energy during the day and revert to the national grid at night and during inclement weather conditions. This allows them to save energy and to take pressure off the grid.
The effective drop in grid energy consumption on a typical Engen site with the new solar PV system installed is about 80 000 kWh/y, he points out. “Solar can help businesses like fuel service stations slash their electricity bills and significantly reduce their carbon footprint.” said SolarSaver Director Stu Batchelor, who manufactured the systems.
Further, service stations offer unique installation spaces for solar PV solutions on both the convenience store roofs and forecourt canopies. These installations can power various services at the fuel stations, including retail store operations, he adds.
“With a solar installation in place, daylight energy requirements like LED lighting, fuel pumps and compressors can be fully met. In addition, energy for refrigeration and IT infrastructure can be provided by this sustainable energy source, leading to considerable savings on electricity costs.”
Additionally, the benefits of switching to solar are maximised if a business implements other energy-saving initiatives. Engen, for example, is implementing environmental initiatives including solar geysers, solar heat pumps and whole-site conversion to LED lighting, he notes.
Full story Solar PV panels rolled out at 150 Engen fuel stations in Southern Africa (engineeringnews.co.za)
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