1Energy was awarded the contract to design and install the Xigera Energy Centre: a sophisticated 400kWp offgrid solar hybrid power system in the heart of the Okavango Delta. This is Red Carnation’s first lodge in the Delta and 1Energy is proud to have been selected as their energy partners.

The Solar

The system comprises 400kW of solar PV, with the heart of the power system being five of the latest Tesla Powerpacks, with a power capacity of 285kW, and total available storage capacity of 1.14MWh. The solar system wouldn’t be dubbed a “hybrid” without diesel backup. The Xigera system is backed up by two 350kVA Volvo diesel generators, although the solar system is designed to supply over 95% of Xigera’s energy needs. The generators will run only in the event of extended poor weather conditions, and although still an essential part of the system, will mostly remain idle, saving the lodge an estimated 175 000 liters of diesel, and the environment 500 tons of carbon emissions each year.

The Lodge

As the new custodians of Xigera, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection has a profound love of Africa, with Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat in the Western Cape, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town and the internationally acclaimed Oyster Box in Umhlanga.

World renowned for exceptional service, generous hospitality, extraordinary dining and beautiful interiors, Xigera embodies everything that makes Red Carnation Hotels so unique and special, drawing on their global team’s expertise, reputation for excellence and family-owned-and-run passion.

The Xigera team is led by Mike & Marian Myers, who have over 30 years’ experience in the bush, alongside owner and director Vicki Tollman.

As part of 1Energy’s broad engagement with Great Plains Conservation, 1Energy designed and installed the off-grid solar power system for this Okavango Delta luxury safari lodge.

The Solar

The system will comprise 156kW of roof mounted PV, with the heart of the power system being a Tesla Powerpack 2.5 system, with storage capacity of 440kWh. There are 3x 50kW SMA Core 1 inverters and the system is supported by a 154kVA prime-rated generator, installed in a sound-attenuated enclosure.

The Lodge

Set in one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on our planet, the brand new Selinda Camp rests on the banks of the Selinda Spillway, as it enters the Linyanti River. The private 130,000 hectare Selinda Reserve boasts elephants by the thousands, regular sightings of the Selinda pack of African wild dogs as well as the famous Selinda Lion Pride recently feature in the National Geographic film “Birth of a Pride” by Dereck and Beverly Joubert. The area has a sense of remoteness, a true spirit of Africa, and is a great example of Botswana bush embodying a variety of species and rare animals.

1Energy was contracted to design and install the solar power system for Jack’s Camp as part of the 2019/20 refurb. Jack’s camp is one of Uncharted Africa and Natural Selection’s premium lodges situated in the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana.

The power system comprises 130kWp of PV power, SMA’s 50kW Core 1 solar inverters, the heart of the power system being a Tesla Powerpack 2 system, with storage capacity of 440kWh.

The Solar:

The heart of the power system is a Tesla Powerpack 2.5 system, with storage capacity of 440kWh. The system comprises an array of 480 x 270 watt peak polycrystalline solar panels, giving a power capacity of 130kWp, installed on ground-mounted framing. The direct-current electrical power from the solar arrays will flow to a set of SMA Core 1 50kW solar inverters.

A 154kVA prime-rated generator, installed in a sound-attenuated enclosure, is electronically governed, and closely controlled by the Powerpack’s Microgrid controller for optimal efficiency. The entire system is monitored remotely by 1Energy’s unique monitoring software, developed by our software engineers to provide live, real-time updates on system performance.

As part of 1Energy’s engagement with Great Plains Conservation, 1Energy designed, installed and commissioned the solar-hybrid power system at GPC’s new luxury tented camp in Victoria Falls.
Mpala Jena Camp is an exquisite and exclusive canvas tented camp, located on a private concession within the Zambezi National Park. Mpala Jena Camp has been created to be the most environmentally innovative camp within the park. This is achieved through the use of only recycled hardwoods and canvas in its construction and ensuring all the camp’s electricity needs come from its 1Energy solar farm.

The Solar:

The heart of the power system is a Tesla Powerpack 2 system, with storage capacity of 420kWh. The system comprises an array of 480 x 270 watt peak polycrystalline solar panels, giving a power capacity of 130kWp, installed on ground-mounted framing. The direct-current electrical power from the solar arrays will flow to a set of 6 Fronius Symo 20kVA solar inverters.

A 154kVA prime-rated generator, installed in a sound-attenuated enclosure, is electronically governed, and closely controlled by the Powerpack’s Microgrid controller for optimal efficiency. The entire system is monitored remotely by 1Energy’s unique monitoring software, developed by our software engineers to provide live, real-time updates on system performance.

As part of our broad engagement with Sanctuary Retreats Botswana, 1Energy provided comprehensive energy-related turnkey solutions and wide-ranging energy consultation for this flagship Okavango Delta luxury safari lodge, during the comprehensive camp rebuild over the first half of 2016.

The power system comprises 140kWp of PV power in 12 solar arrays, SMA’s 25kW Tripower solar inverter and a 4-cluster Sunny Island 3-phase power system, supported by 8 banks of 2285Ah OPzS flooded lead-acid battery banks. Backup power is provided by a 140kVA diesel generator.

Water heating is provided by heat pumps, and a centralised hybrid solar/heat pump system for staff accommodation.

1Energy assisted Sanctuary in detail with the selection of energy-efficient electrical equipment covering guest rooms, kitchen and refrigeration, laundry, water pumping and treatment and lighting.  We also assisted the client in the development of operational procedures aimed at reducing energy consumption.

As part of 1Energy’s broad engagement with Sanctuary Retreats, 1Energy provided comprehensive energy-related turnkey solutions and wide-ranging energy consultation for this Okavango Delta luxury safari lodge, during 2016.

1Energy assisted Sanctuary in detail with the selection of energy-efficient electrical equipment covering guest rooms, kitchen and refrigeration, laundry, water pumping and treatment and lighting.  We also assisted the client in the development of operational procedures aimed at reducing energy consumption.

As part of 1Energy’s broad engagement with Sanctuary Retreats, 1Energy provided comprehensive energy-related turnkey solutions and wide-ranging energy consultation for this Okavango Delta luxury safari lodge, during 2016.

1Energy assisted Sanctuary in detail with the selection of energy-efficient electrical equipment covering guest rooms, kitchen and refrigeration, laundry, water pumping and treatment and lighting. We also assisted the client in the development of operational procedures aimed at reducing energy consumption.

Project Details: 1Energy provided a 75kWp solar hybrid power system at Chitabe Camp in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. The project also included installation of efficient water heating solutions (heat pump and solar collectors), and a close engagement with the Camp on various interventions to increase energy efficiency and reduce power consumption, and to improve the Camps electrical and water distribution infrastructure.

Our solar power system included a custom high-level solar array, providing shaded storage and parking. The solar power system was up and running within 10 days of commencement on site, thanks to our comprehensive in-factory assembling and testing approach, which minimises disruptions on site and allows normal operations to continue during the installation.

1Energy has installed the first 25kWp phase of a 50kWp solar hybrid system for the expansion of Morukuru Family’s Koppie Alleen property in the De Hoop Nature Reserve.  The expanded system will provide power to the new guest house and boutique hotel to be built on the site, as well as the staff quarters.

The first luxury tented camp to be built in the Gorongosa for the Gorongosa Collection will be fully off-grid and consists of 6 luxury tented rooms.

The brand-new Hotel Verde is situated just a few kilometres north of Stone Town.  The hotel is locally owned, but will be operated by Verde Hotels, of Hotel Verde Cape Town – the greenest hotel in Africa!

We have used 5 of SMA’s brand-new Core1 50kW solar inverters and installed 200kWp of grid-tied solar for HVZ.  The solar was installed in various areas, including:

1. Two parallel carports each 40m long
2. A walkway between the hotel building and the reception/central area
3. The roof of the reception building
4. The roof of a water treatment building.

Lemala Mpingo Ridge sits on top of an escarpment with sweeping views across the perennial Tarangire River and valley below. Being the sixth largest national park in Tanzania, Tarangire remains slightly off the main safari circuit but is a terrifically scenic park featuring wide, expansive views.

1Energy designed and installed the 60kWp off-grid solar system, catering to the specific energy requirements of the lodge. As part of the engagement, 1Energy also installed the hot water systems, as well as the electrical reticulation for the camp.

Meaning ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language, the Serengeti is undoubtedly one of the world’s most celebrated wilderness areas. Lemala Nanyukie is located a 45-minute drive east of the Seronera Airstrip in the park’s central region, and is superbly located with outstanding views across these fascinating ‘endless plains’. The camp itself sits on a grassy savanna dotted with rocky kopjes and shaded by ancient giant acacia trees.

1Energy designed and installed the 60kWp off-grid solar system, catering to the specific energy requirements of the lodge, which was very similar to Lemala’s other new lodge, Mpingo Ridge, completed just before. As part of the engagement, 1Energy also installed the hot water systems, as well as the electrical reticulation for the camp.

Part of Lapalala’s planning is to remove all grid power from the property. 1Energy built the small power system for their demonstration lodge “Founders Camp” in 2015. We are now rolling out 5 individual installations to power the various sites around the property, which are currently using grid power.

We have consulted extensively with them to assist in preparing the sites for off-grid power, advising them on energy savings and energy efficiency.

Of particular interest is the Lapalala Wilderness School (www.lwschool.org) which is one of the installations.  This is a non-profit that brings city kids into the bush educating them about conservation and sustainability.  1Energy donated energy efficient refrigerators to the school to assist with implementing efficiency measures.

Total installed off-grid capacity will be 93kWp across 6 sites, saving 131 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The pilot project at Founders Camp was installed in August 2015. The 5 “grid eradication” sites were awarded in May 2017, and are in the process of being rolled out on site.

1Energy is putting in a standardised solution design, which we plan to roll out to each of the private “custodian” sites as they are built.  The first of these commences in 2018.

1Energy designed, supplied and installed a hybrid solar power system for Twin City’s newly built camp in Sungulo Lodge, Gaza, Mozambique. Sungulo Lodge is situated within the Transfrontier Park, and is the first camp to be built within this park on the Mozambican side. The system was installed and commissioned in May 2015.

The power system consists of a 42kWp (kilowatt peak) solar array, which is controlled by a set of SMA inverters.  With sufficient battery storage to cover nearly two nights’ consumption, the overall system will produce over 80% of the Lodge’s power in a average year.  The balance of the power will be provided by a 60kVA diesel generator.