The German International School Cape Town (DSK)
in Tamboerskloof has fully embraced a green future by installing a 150kWp solar
electricity system, which is designed for embedded generation that will
maximise self-consumption and feed excess power back into
Schools are an excellent business case for
embedded generation solar systems: During school times most power consumed
comes from the solar system (maximised self-consumption) and on weekends and
during school holidays the power is sold to the grid.
Over its lifespan of at least 25 years, the
solar system will save the school an enormous amount of electricity cost and
will set a shining example of the quality and long-lasting performance security
of German solar technology. Additionally the photovoltaic system will serve as
an early introduction to the opportunities of solar photovoltaic use to the
students.” The solar system runs on 442 pieces of SW 340 XL Mono solar panels
and could achieve an output of up to 150kWp at any given time of full sun
exposure.
Together with the initial off-grid
photovoltaic system the school has been using since 2010, this full scale
on-grid system that is inaugurated today will enable the learners to have
access to this renewable energy technology and compare functionality and
production data of both. They will also gather information of financial savings
of such an investment into a renewable energy system. This will create awareness
and understanding for the vast opportunities for renewable energy in
