Pathcare Main Campus - 800kWp Solar System with 1.7MWh BESS including Solar Carports
Treetops has been working with Pathcare for over a decade in preparation of this milestone project. We started with energy efficiency by replacing all lights with efficient LEDs, updating the HVAC System and implementing load scheduling to combat the monthly kVA charge.
Over the years we visited many proposals with Pathcare on how a Solar System can fit into their overarching environmental goals, while achieving an attractive financial return. The N1 Campus houses their main laboratory with sensitive equipment, which cannot loose power under any circumstance. The idea of a large-scale Solar and BESS System became reality.
The Solar and BESS System at the N1 Pathcare site is on track to save over R6m per annum with a staggering 20+% return, exceeding our forecasts.
Consolidation of supplies to eliminate fixed costs and leverage tariff optimisation
The approach that gave Treetops the edge to be appointed for this project was our ability to look beyond the Amps and Volts. The campus had a total of 3 connection points, leading to a substantial bill of fixed costs, alongside 2 of the connections running at an unfavourable tariff. We approached City of Cape Town and facilitated the consolidation of 2 supplies, reducing the fixed costs and operating the campus at a better electricity tariff.
Additionally, the new electricity tariff can be leveraged further by using the BESS we installed for energy arbitrage, improving the financial return of the Solar and BESS System.
1.7MWh Battery Storage across 2 Connection Points
The Battery Storage at Pathcare N1 Campus created an interesting discussion with the Pathcare Board:
What if Load-Shedding stops tomorrow? What are we doing with all those batteries then?
Battery Storage is sometimes still misinterpreted as a Load-Shedding necessity without further purpose - reality is far from it. The cost for Battery Storage has been below the cost of grid electricity for some time and that was precisely what we introduced to the board. During Load-Shedding, the batteries stay full, ensure smooth operations day and night, and prevent the Diesel Generators starting up. Without Load-Shedding our EMS (Energy Management System) manages the battery discharge during Peak Tariff times and offsets up to R7/kWh!
Solar Carports to maximise production
The energy requirement of the Pathcare N1 Campus exceeded the yield we could achieve with their roof space alone. We engineered a Composite Carport Structure and provided shaded parking, while harvesting the much needed Solar Power for our client.
We are incredibly proud of how this project turned out and that we have achieved this outcome for Pathcare as one of our longest standing clients.
Our installation team and engineers have outdone themselves on this project and have yet again pushed the standards of Solar and BESS Systems to new heights.