The Romano Group recently commissioned a 35kWp grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity generating system for process automation company, Endress + Hauser in Gauteng.
The project included the engineering, procurement and construction of the DC and AC sides of the system, including the mounting structure, supply of PV modules and inverters, installation of all equipment, DC-wiring, AC-wiring, grid tie-in and system commissioning. The Canadian Solar-manufactured PV modules were installed onto free-standing, ballast-mounted structures, manufactured by Romano. “The electricity generated will be used by the client and will reduce their supply from Eskom by a projected 58 591 kWh in the first year“, said Romano’s head of solar, Bruce Conné.
“Endress + Hauser have become one of the first industrial companies in South Africa to install a solar PV system, and this is a strong indication that own-use PV is becoming a cost-effective alternative energy solution across all sectors of the market”, remarked Conné.
Most of the Solar PV systems provided by Romano are grid-tied systems, meaning that they are connected to either the client side or the utility side of the on-site electrical sub-station. In the former case, the electricity generated is used on the site by the client. In the latter case the electricity generated is exported to the national or municipal electricity grid.
According to Romano’s project manager for this project, Chris Lear, this was the first PV installation in South Africa using Power-One inverters. “Inverters are the most complex component of a PV system and Power-One have had their inverters certified to the South African grid code. To ensure that their entrance into the South African market was as successful as possible, Power-One flew in their technicians from Italy to work with Romano in commissioning the system, which was a great plus for the success of the project” added Lear.
“The project also qualifies for the Eskom IDM subsidy for renewable energy systems, which will certainly aid in reducing the pay-back period. PV systems are designed to have a serviceable life of at least 25 years, and typically achieve a pay-back of between 4 and 6 years” concluded Conné.
ABOUT ROMANO
Romano is a multi-skilled provider of a broad range of sustainable solutions, to clients who are typically large commercial, industrial or retail property owners and tenants spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
The company is one of SA’s most experienced Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System providers, operating throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and designs, supplies and installs high quality roof-top and ground-mounted Solar PV systems, all of which are delivered on-time at a competitive price. Its commercial options include: Outright Purchase (cash or financed) or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The company also manufactures solar mounting systems and car port structures, and is a reseller of PV modules, invertors, batteries and related hardware.
Romano’s factories, having combined areas totalling more than 10,000 m2, are situated in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The company has approved installers representing it in all nine provinces of South Africa, as well as various implementation partners based at strategic locations spread across sub-Saharan Africa.
Romano is a wholly South African-owned company that was founded in 1952 and today employs more than 150 people.
More on Romano
The project included the engineering, procurement and construction of the DC and AC sides of the system, including the mounting structure, supply of PV modules and inverters, installation of all equipment, DC-wiring, AC-wiring, grid tie-in and system commissioning. The Canadian Solar-manufactured PV modules were installed onto free-standing, ballast-mounted structures, manufactured by Romano. “The electricity generated will be used by the client and will reduce their supply from Eskom by a projected 58 591 kWh in the first year“, said Romano’s head of solar, Bruce Conné.
“Endress + Hauser have become one of the first industrial companies in South Africa to install a solar PV system, and this is a strong indication that own-use PV is becoming a cost-effective alternative energy solution across all sectors of the market”, remarked Conné.
Most of the Solar PV systems provided by Romano are grid-tied systems, meaning that they are connected to either the client side or the utility side of the on-site electrical sub-station. In the former case, the electricity generated is used on the site by the client. In the latter case the electricity generated is exported to the national or municipal electricity grid.
According to Romano’s project manager for this project, Chris Lear, this was the first PV installation in South Africa using Power-One inverters. “Inverters are the most complex component of a PV system and Power-One have had their inverters certified to the South African grid code. To ensure that their entrance into the South African market was as successful as possible, Power-One flew in their technicians from Italy to work with Romano in commissioning the system, which was a great plus for the success of the project” added Lear.
“The project also qualifies for the Eskom IDM subsidy for renewable energy systems, which will certainly aid in reducing the pay-back period. PV systems are designed to have a serviceable life of at least 25 years, and typically achieve a pay-back of between 4 and 6 years” concluded Conné.
ABOUT ROMANO
Romano is a multi-skilled provider of a broad range of sustainable solutions, to clients who are typically large commercial, industrial or retail property owners and tenants spread throughout sub-Saharan Africa.
The company is one of SA’s most experienced Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System providers, operating throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and designs, supplies and installs high quality roof-top and ground-mounted Solar PV systems, all of which are delivered on-time at a competitive price. Its commercial options include: Outright Purchase (cash or financed) or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). The company also manufactures solar mounting systems and car port structures, and is a reseller of PV modules, invertors, batteries and related hardware.
Romano’s factories, having combined areas totalling more than 10,000 m2, are situated in Cape Town and Johannesburg. The company has approved installers representing it in all nine provinces of South Africa, as well as various implementation partners based at strategic locations spread across sub-Saharan Africa.
Romano is a wholly South African-owned company that was founded in 1952 and today employs more than 150 people.
More on Romano
RSS Feed
