Cape office park solar project set to save health department up to R5m a year
A newly installed solar power system is expected to save the Western Cape government millions of rand in electricity bills and cushion it from loadshedding.
During a visit to the R17m solar photovoltaic (PV) installation project at Bellville Health Park, outside the Karl Bremer hospital in Cape Town, Western Cape premier Alan Winde said the project was one of several renewable energy initiatives that would ensure the province was energy resilient.
The project, which started in October, draws energy from 1,400 solar panels installed above parking bays at the facility.
Generating 663kWp, the ground-mounted solar system is linked to five separate inverter stations mounted in vandal-proof and theft-resistant cages.
The inverter stations connect to the solar panels and convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) in the building.
From there, cables connect it to a miniature substation that provides power to the administration building, which is connected to the rest of the Karl Bremer hospital precinct electrical network.
Touring the facility this week, Winde said this project could make a huge difference in ensuring the office park was cushioned from load-shedding.
“Our services must be protected as far as possible from blackouts and through this initiative we are making sure this is the case.
“Apart from the solar panels installed on the parking bays, Bellville Health Park’s entire roof is also fitted with solar PV panels, boosting its energy production.”
Winde said the solar project had the potential to save the facility up to R5m in electricity costs each year.
The solar roof will not only result in having its own power, “but our employees and clients also get shaded parking”, the premier said.
Karl Bremer hospital is one of 10 Western Cape hospitals exempted from load-shedding.
Winde encouraged the private sector to also play its part in generating renewable energy.
“Together we will be able to bolster our energy security drive.
“We have made it a priority of our government to find ways to mitigate the impact of blackouts on our services.
“The newly launched Western Cape department of infrastructure has been key in helping to boost energy efficiency at government-owned buildings and facilities.”
For the 2023/2024 financial year, the department of infrastructure has allocated R61.9m towards energy initiatives.