DBNLM installs first PV system for client

KAROO NEWS - The Alternative Load Reduction Programme that the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM) had embarked on since February 2023, has culminated in yet another practical highlight last week - the installation of a 400 kWp PV system at Pick n Pay in Graaff-Reinet.

The installation comprises a PV system, back up battery system and a bidirectional electricity meter, enabling the feeding of excess solar energy back into the grid with fiscal benefits for the client.

This installation marks the first ever municipal initiated and supplied Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) deployment for business clients of a municipality in South Africa.

Christo Nicholls, CEO of Utility Consulting Solutions (officially appointed business partner of the DBNLM in this venture), is thrilled about reaching this landmark.

"Hereby we are directly addressing electricity affordability and availability in a sustainable and pragmatic fashion." He says this is history in the making, since DBNLM is the very first of a small group of local municipalities in the country that has commenced with the Utility Consulting Solutions' developed municipal-owned and distributed rooftop SSEG program, which was designed specifically to address the need for municipal supplied electricity that is affordable (despite the steep Eskom increases) and available (even during national load shedding).

Other businesses (and households) with adequate space on the roof, can now partner with the municipality and without spending one cent of their own funding, join this evolution of Smart Electricity Trading, whereby they can start receiving daily discounts on their electricity usage.

The Graaff-Reinet Advertiser has been reporting on the DBNLM ALR Programme since its inception early last year, with the first article published on 23 February last year, DBNLM: Take a load off your mind and the most recent on 7 July this year, Cheaper sustainable electricity for DBNLM.

The installation comprises a PV system, back up battery system and a bidirectional electricity meter.