Lanko
Installation in progress
The ambition
Lanko prides itself in a loyal and dedicated grower base who is committed to produce quality fruit in order to satisfy the needs of all customers, abroad and locally. On receiving the produce from the farms, the fruit is immediately placed under either regular atmosphere cooling or controlled atmosphere cooling conditions.
Lanko's first packing season in 1962 saw 17.5 tons of apples and 3.5 tons of pears, featuring varieties like Jonathan, Ohenimuri, Starking, Golden Delicious, Winter Pearmain, Granny Smith, and York Imperial. From 1962 to 1979, Lanko expanded its cold storage with six additional regular atmosphere rooms. In 1983, construction began on the first Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Cold Room, completed and commissioned in April 1984. The CA storage capacity grew with 5,000 bulk bins in 1986, to 33,300 bulk bins currently in use.
Lanko has continually upgraded its packing facility, moving from older mechanical graders to advanced electronic and optical systems. Since 2009, the packhouse has installed Greefa equipment for precise colour, defect, and size grading. Given the extensive use of cold storage and advanced packing technology, Lanko's energy needs are significant. Implementing solar panels reduce energy costs, enhance sustainability, and ensures reliable power for their operations.
The solution
With a deep understanding in the agricultural sector and careful analysis of their business energy needs and premises, the RenEnergy team recommended a 897.75kWp roof array to maximise yield and to make use of an otherwise passive space.
Installation in progress
The solution contains 1995 solar panels in total and 8 inverters. This will ensure continuous operations in keeping produce fresh without any power interruptions.
Installation in progress
897.75kWp
Total installed capacity
1,995
Solar panels installed
8
Inverters
"RenEnergy’s solution for Lanko not only reduces energy costs and ensures reliable power for their operations, but it also enhances their sustainability efforts. This will make significant strides in their CO2 savings and reliance of fossil fuels; whilst simultaneously making sure produce stays fresher for longer. Sustainable agriculture is key to global food security."
Claude Peters, Managing Director, RenEnergy Africa
“Our investment in solar energy was basically based on our responsibility to contribute to a greener more sustainable future on the one hand, and on the other hand we also regarded it as a long-term investment with attractive returns.
In terms of our environmental responsibility we see our investment in solar energy as a means to reduce our carbon footprint as it decrease our reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating air pollution and combatting climate change, while also preserving our natural environment’s beauty.
As a long term investment we based out motivation for solar energy on the typical lifespan of solar panels which we believe exceeds 25 years, thus ensuring a reliable energy solution for the long term. Furthermore the financial benefits of reduced energy costs and potential feed-in tariff programs will lead to a favourable return on investment (ROI), making solar an economically sound choice.”
Fanie Grundlingh, Managing Director, Lanko
CO2
Estimated annual savings of 41,231,545 tonnes
Which is equivalent to taking nearly 270,000 cars off the road for an entire year
The benefits
Reduced electricity expenditure directly impacts the business’ operational costs
The business significantly reduced its environmental impact and reliance of fossil fuels
The installation provides an outwardly visible display of the business’ commitment to the environment
Reliable, stable power supply to keep produce fresher for longer.
Lanko
*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.