De Hoop Primary School
Somerset West
The ambition
De Hoop Primary School was founded in 1970 and was named after the farm on which it stands. In South Africa, load shedding (rolling blackouts) has been present since 2007, with no end in sight. As at May 2023, the year’s load shedding had already overtaken that of the 2022 total.
For schools, these blackouts directly lead to disruptions in education, critical school activities, fund raising activities, and cultural and sporting events. This impacts on the quality of education and the learning experience received by learners.
Provincial government funding does not cover all costs, so funds have to be generated by the school itself by fund raising activities and collection of school fees. In order to keep school fees at a reasonable level, operational costs need to be managed very carefully. With the increasing costs of electricity, in addition to the supply problems, it made sense for the school to consider a mitigating solution. Some businesses turn to generators, but the use of these diesel-powered generators is an unsustainable practice – importantly in terms of the environmental impact, but also the financial burden of increasing diesel costs.
The solution
We recommended a bespoke hybrid solar power generating and storage system, taking the school’s needs and goals into account. A hybrid system combines a grid-tied system that is connected to the utility power grid, with the addition of energy storage.
Batteries store the excess energy that is produced onsite for use during load shedding, ensuring a more consistent supply of clean energy. Therefore, the school’s reliance on the national power provider was reduced. The layout was configured to maximise available roof space, making use of an otherwise passive space.
91kWp
Total installed capacity
160kWh
Battery capacity
227
Solar panels installed
“It is crucial for a school to be able to continue quality education amidst the South African energy crisis. Rolling blackouts can bring teaching, sporting and cultural activities to a halt, directly impacting on our youth’s education and development. We believe in the next generation and it is important for them to experience the benefits of renewable energy.”
Claude Peters, Managing Director, RenEnergy Africa
“In terms of education media, we make use of screens, computers and various kinds of research resources at all times. It would be rather challenging if we couldn't use these due to load shedding. Thank you RenEnergy, again, that we can have power so that continuous learning can take place. The air conditioners, the screens, the computers, where the staff are busy in the workrooms, it’s all functional thanks to RenEnergy and the power we experience at all times. It's also great that when we're at De Hoop Primary School, we don't actually even know about loadshedding, because learning can continue optimally. Thank you RenEnergy.”
Abri du Plessis, Marketing and Communications Manager, De Hoop Primary School
The benefits
Learning and school activities can continue with no disruption = better education
Reduced reliance on national power provider
Average annual CO2 savings estimated at 141 tonnes – that’s the equivalent of 7050 trees growing for a year
Reduced electricity expenditure directly impacts the school’s operational costs, allowing them to keep school fees at a reasonable level
The school uses the vast majority of its total energy consumption during the day, matching peak solar generation
Surplus energy generation is captured in the onsite energy storage to provide secure 24/7 renewable energy
Additional surplus can be sold back into grid
The school significantly reduced its environmental impact and reliance of fossil fuels
The installation provides a visible display of the school’s commitment to the environment and education continuity
CO2
Annual saving of 141 tonnes – that’s the equivalent of 7050 trees growing for a year
Note that all estimated performance figures are calculated using industry-standard systems and norms, assume ideal operating conditions, and would have been estimated as at the time of the installation. CO2 equivalent analogies source