Solarise Africa, a leading Energy-as-a-Service company, has successfully commissioned a 1 megawatt (MW) solar power system at Idstone Farm in South Africa’s Northern Cape Province. The newly launched plant is set to revolutionize how farms in the region manage their energy needs, particularly for irrigation, while simultaneously reducing emissions and dependence on the unreliable national grid.
The project features two solar-powered pump systems equipped with advanced variable speed drive (VSD) technology, allowing the farm to pump water from multiple sources with minimal energy wastage. According to project partners, the system is designed to operate even during grid outages, addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing South African agriculture today: load-shedding and power instability.
Cutting Costs and Emissions
The new solar installation delivers more than 1 MWp (megawatt-peak) of capacity and is expected to generate around 2.3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean energy annually. This output will significantly reduce the farm’s reliance on the national grid, translating into major cost savings. According to estimates, Idstone Farm could save more than ZAR 25 million over the system’s lifetime in energy costs alone.
Moreover, the plant is projected to avoid the emission of more than 2,200 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per year. This reduction is equivalent to taking approximately 480 petrol-powered cars off the road each year, making the initiative not just an economic boon but also an environmental one. In a country still largely reliant on coal for electricity, such emissions reductions are essential.
Advanced Technical Design
The system includes two solar-powered pump stations:
- Pump Station 1 comprises a 444.6 kWp solar array that powers three 75 kW pumps and one 37 kW pump. These draw water from the farm’s on-site dam and distribute it to nearby fields.
- Pump Station 2 utilizes a 786.6 kWp solar array connected to four 75 kW and four 37 kW pumps. These draw water from a nearby river and pump it into the dam.
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All pumps are controlled by ABB hybrid variable speed drives, allowing for precise control of energy use and water delivery. This design ensures that power is only consumed when needed and helps optimize irrigation cycles throughout the farming calendar.
Built-in Resilience to Grid Failures
One of the standout features of the project is its ability to continue operating even when the national grid fails. This is especially important in South Africa, where load-shedding, the deliberate interruption of electricity supply, is common due to aging infrastructure and generation shortfalls at Eskom, the state-owned power utility.
By using solar PV systems combined with hybrid VSDs, the pumps can operate independently of the grid during sunlight hours. This allows Idstone Farm to maintain irrigation schedules even during extended blackouts, protecting crop yields and food supply chains.
Financing Through Smart Incentives
The project was funded through a hybrid financing structure, incorporating private capital alongside tax incentives offered under Section 12B of South Africa’s Income Tax Act. This policy allows companies to deduct the full cost of renewable energy installations in the first year, drastically improving the return on investment.
This financial model is increasingly popular in the commercial and industrial solar sector, where upfront costs often hinder adoption. By combining long-term lease agreements with tax benefits, Solarise Africa lowers the financial barrier to entry for agribusinesses like Idstone, helping them transition to renewable power with minimal risk.
Voices Behind the Project
According to Sakkie van Wijk, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Solarise Africa, the project reflects the transformative potential of strategic collaboration:
“This project exemplifies the strength of partnerships that prioritize sustainability, performance, and local resilience. We are proud to work alongside visionary clients like Idstone to set a precedent for the future of African agriculture.”
Roscoe Lawrence, representing Idstone Farm, emphasized the farm’s motivation:
“This solar installation is not just an energy upgrade, it’s a step toward building a more sustainable, independent agricultural future. We now have reliable, cost-effective power tailored to our needs.”
These statements underscore the importance of vision and cooperation in advancing clean energy solutions across the continent.
Broader Implications for South African Agriculture
The Northern Cape is already a leader in renewable energy, with numerous large-scale solar farms in operation. However, this new development is different, it represents decentralized, farm-level energy empowerment. Rather than selling power back to the grid, Idstone Farm uses the energy directly to power essential operations like irrigation.
This model of embedded generation is increasingly being viewed as the future of power in sectors like agriculture, mining, and manufacturing. It aligns with national goals to reduce strain on Eskom, cut carbon emissions, and boost economic resilience in rural areas.
Commercial & Industrial Solar on the Rise
In 2023 alone, South Africa added an estimated 3.7 gigawatts (GW) of commercial and industrial solar capacity, most of it for private, self-consumption. This trend reflects growing distrust in the national utility and rising awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of clean power.
Solarise Africa has been a key player in this transformation. In recent years, the company has raised millions of dollars in funding, including a R160 million injection in 2024 and a $33.4 million facility in 2022 to expand operations across Kenya and other African markets.
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Despite the success of this project, barriers remain. Technical complexity, especially when integrating multiple water sources and solar systems, requires high engineering standards. Financing is still out of reach for many smallholder farmers, especially those without access to long-term leasing options or favorable tax treatment.
Yet the replication potential is enormous. Farms across the Free State, North West, Eastern Cape, and other semi-arid regions of Africa stand to benefit from similar systems. By making energy predictable and affordable, solar irrigation becomes a key adaptation tool for climate-smart agriculture.
