- Radley Landgoed, a 1,900-ha family-owned farm near Malelane in Mpumalanga, South Africa, has launched a large-scale water-based solar plant.
- The strategic placement of solar panels on the irrigation dam preserves valuable agricultural land and leverages the water’s cooling effect.
Radley Landgoed, a 1,900-hectare family-owned farm near Malelane in Mpumalanga, South Africa, has launched a large-scale water-based solar plant. This marks a significant innovation in the agricultural sector’s approach to renewable energy.
The state-of-the-art solar power system, comprising 80 per cent solar panels and 3,350m2, floats on the surface of one of the farm’s largest irrigation dams. According to Renald Radley, who manages the mixed farming operation with his brothers Wilscott and Henno, the project aims to overcome the challenges posed by load-shedding and rising electricity costs.
“Load-shedding has significantly impacted our irrigation schedule, affecting our crop yield. At times, we’ve lost as much as 15 per cent of our production due to the inability to pump water when needed,” he said.
The project was completed within a year and financed through a partnership with Standard Bank’s Business and Commercial Banking division, which has a production capacity of up to 1.8 GWh. This capacity allows the estate to operate independently from the national grid during critical periods, mitigating the impact of South Africa’s frequent load-shedding on farming operations.
The strategic placement of solar panels on the irrigation dam not only preserves valuable agricultural land but also leverages the cooling effect of the water, which enhances the panels’ efficiency. This setup simplifies maintenance, allowing workers to access the panels via walkways for easy cleaning and repairs.
Yaseen Guman, head of Business Banking Client Coverage for Mpumalanga at Standard Bank, said the project was significant for the agriculture sector: “This solar plant represents a major advancement in agricultural energy solutions. With a lifespan of 30 years, we expect it to pay for itself within about 10 years. Savings have already begun to accrue, demonstrating the long-term financial benefits of the investment.”
Furthermore, the Radley family, who have managed the farm for roughly 80 years, embraced solar energy as a sustainable solution to the increasing challenges posed by load-shedding and escalating energy costs.
There is a guarantee for the estate’s diverse agricultural activities safety − including 157 hectares of citrus orchards, 536 hectares of high-sucrose sugar cane, 34 hectares of mango orchards and an Nguni cattle stud through consistent and reliable power provided by the solar installation.