OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Xigera Safari Lodge
Red Carnation
400kWp. Off-Grid.
500 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
December 2019.
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 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.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Selinda Camp
Great Plains Conservation
156kWp. Off-Grid.
220 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2019.
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 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.
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.
MAKGADIKGADI PLAINS, BOTSWANA
Jack's Camp
Natural Selection
130kWp. Off-Grid.
198 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2019.
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 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.
VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
Mpala Jena
Great Plains Conservation
130kWp. Off-Grid
198 tonnes of CO2 saved/year
July 2018.
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.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Chief’s Camp
Sanctuary Retreats
140kWp. Off-Grid.
198 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2016.
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.
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.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Baines’ Camp
Sanctuary Retreats
60kWp. Off-Grid.
90 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2016.
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.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Stanley’s Camp
Sanctuary Retreats
135kWp. Off-Grid.
180 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2016.
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.
OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA
Chitabe
Wilderness Safaris
75kWp. Off-Grid.
93 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
Dec 2015
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.
DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE, SOUTH AFRICA
Morukuru Ocean House
50kWp. Off-Grid.
93 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
Oct 2017.
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:
- Two parallel carports each 40m long
- A walkway between the hotel building and the reception/central area
- The roof of the reception building
- The roof of a water treatment building.
TARANGIRE, TANZANIA
Mpingo Ridge
Lemala
60kWp. Off-Grid
5 tonnes of CO2 saved/year
March 2018.
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.
SERENGETI, TANZANIA
Nanyukie
Lemala
60kWp. Off-Grid.
81 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
May 2018.
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.
SOUTH AFRICA
Lapalala Wilderness
93kWp. Off-Grid.
131 tonnes of CO2 saved/year.
July 2017.
Total installed off-grid capacity is 93kWp across 6 sites, saving 131 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.
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.
Solutions
Grid-Tied Solar
Increasing electricity costs combined with the reducing costs of solar power provide a strong case for adding solar power. By using solar power to offset your electricity consumption during the day, significant savings can be achieved.
Solutions
Off-Grid Solar
At 1Energy, Off Grid solar is our speciality. Many remote sites, such as game lodges, island lodges, mines and farms have no access to grid-supply electricity. It is these remote locations that 1Energy’s experience and expertise are unrivalled