Longridge Wine Estate
Somerset West
The ambition
Longridge Wine Estate, situated in Somerset West, is a renowned winery that has carved its niche in the South African wine landscape. Nestled against the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, the estate has gained recognition for its commitment to organic and biodynamic farming methods, showcasing dedication to crafting wines that reflect a deep respect for the land.
Recognising the impact that traditional energy sources have on the environment, Longridge's sustainable investment in solar energy not only reduces its carbon footprint, but also minimises reliance on conventional grid power, guarantees operational resilience during periods of peak demand or electricity grid instability and mitigates the impact of rising electricity costs. Reliable electricity is vital for a wine farm, supporting essential tasks in both vineyard operations and winemaking. It can power irrigation for grape quality, machinery for vineyard maintenance and equipment such as crushers and presses in the winemaking process. It is also crucial for refrigeration and temperature control during storage and aging, ensuring the quality of the wine product.
Founded on the principles of sustainability and organic farming, the winery is committed to producing high-quality wines while minimising its environmental impact. Integrating solar power into its wine farm operations is a multi-faceted strategy that combines economic efficiency with environmental responsibility.
The solution
An analysis and review of the duo-pitch roof structure was performed to ensure that the installation and aesthetic integration of the 178.2kWp with 200kWh energy storage, roof-mounted solar panel system would guarantee space efficiency, tailored capacity and minimal land use impact.
This solution was designed to reduce the cost of generators, offering battery back-up during times of loadshedding as well as using the battery and discharging its energy on a self-consumption bases when loadshedding is reduced. The excess energy will be stored in the batteries, where the smart controller is commissioned in such a way that energy is used most efficiently.
The 324-module configuration contributes to the reliability and efficiency of the solar power generation for robust and consistent energy output. The redundancy built into the system ensures continuous energy production, even in less-than-optimal weather or shading conditions. The inverter manages the module output to ensure reduced complexity and optimised performance. The overall streamlined design aligns seamlessly with the wine estate’s energy infrastructure.
This solution compliments an existing ground mounted solution that we installed, as well as a few other farm buildings, contributing to an integrated approach to energy management.
178.2kWp
Total installed capacity
324
Solar panels installed
200kWh
Battery capacity
“RenEnergy’s renewable journey with Longridge Wine Estate represents a balanced fusion of cutting-edge technology and environmental stewardship. Our commitment extends beyond delivering sustainable power – it’s about optimising green energy production for our clients, which reinforces our shared dedication to a greener future.”
Claude Peters, Managing Director, RenEnergy Africa
“During the course of 2022/23, we put our long-standing plans into action by partnering with RenEnergy to install solar panels at Longridge. This decision has granted us complete independence from Eskom. Furthermore, following RenEnergy's advice, we've integrated solar energy storage systems. This enables us to power our cellar continuously, even when sunlight or Eskom electricity is unavailable, extending well beyond scheduled load-shedding times. RenEnergy proved to be highly professional and helpful throughout the process, assisting us in overcoming various challenges encountered along the way. We recommend Claude and his team for any cellar or business with similar energy needs.”
Jasper Raats
Vintner
CO2
Annual reduction
of 232,472 kg of
CO2 emissions
– equivalent to more than 11,600 trees growing for one year
The benefits
Energy independence from conventional grid-power
Generates significant portion of energy needs on-site
Substantial savings in electricity costs
Roof mounted solution preserves valuable ground space for agricultural activities
Battery backup during loadshedding
Self-consumption of the energy being produced at a reduced cost, banking the ample energy into the battery bank, charging this with the most cost-effective energy.
Using the battery during peak times to drastically reduce costs from the network
Shows a commitment to sustainable and green operations
Note that all estimated performance figures are calculated using industry-standard systems and norms, assume ideal operating conditions, and were estimated as at the time of the installation. CO2 equivalent analogies source