Berman Brothers: Unlocking More Value From Existing Solar Assets

Berman Brothers is one of South Africa's established property developers, known for developing and managing luxury and premium residential properties across Cape Town. With a growing portfolio of high-value developments, reliable energy performance is essential to maintaining operational efficiency and protecting long-term asset value.

Berman Brothers had already invested in solar across its portfolio.

The system, a 148kW plant, was operational and generating energy, but like many businesses managing solar internally, there was limited visibility into whether the assets were performing at their full potential.

Maintenance was handled internally, monitoring was limited, and there was no dedicated solar asset management partner responsible for continuously improving performance.

Most importantly, no one was accountable for the energy that wasn't being generated.

Recognising the need for a more proactive approach, Berman Brothers began evaluating specialist providers who could improve performance, strengthen oversight, and maximise the long-term value of their solar assets.

Why Candi’s Solar Protect+?

Unlike traditional O&M providers, Candi Solar's Solar Protect+ model starts with a detailed assessment period.

Over two months, the team reviewed historical performance data, inspected the sites, assessed compliance requirements, audited documentation, and identified opportunities to improve generation.

The findings revealed that while the underlying assets were in good condition, several opportunities existed to improve performance, close compliance gaps and improve long-term asset value.

Following the assessment, Candi Solar delivered a detailed retrofit and optimisation plan covering:

Once approved, the improvements were implemented and the sites were integrated into Candi Solar's asset management platform.

Before vs After Solar Protect+

Performance after 6 months of Solar Protect+

Key improvements included:

• Correcting inverter string configuration issues
• Recovering underperforming strings
• Improving system monitoring and fault response
• Completing preventative maintenance and cleaning

Without adding a single solar panel, the system generated more energy, reduced dependence on grid electricity, and increased the value delivered by the existing asset.

What Makes Solar Protect+ Different?

Most O&M contracts focus on keeping a solar plant operational.

Solar Protect+ gives businesses one local partner responsible for monitoring, maintenance, optimisation and performance - reducing operational complexity while improving results.

Customers receive:

✓ An outperformance guarantee backed by Candi Solar

✓ Shared upside when the system outperforms expectations

✓ A comprehensive technical assessment

✓ A detailed retrofit and optimisation roadmap

✓ Continuous monitoring and performance analytics

✓ Compliance and documentation management

✓ Quarterly performance reporting

The result is a model where Candi Solar succeeds only when the customer's solar asset performs better.

The Outcome

For Berman Brothers, Solar Protect+ transformed solar from a maintenance exercise into a managed performance asset.

Six months after implementation, generation is already tracking 17% above historical levels, with improved oversight, stronger compliance, greater transparency, and a clear partner accountable for performance.

Because solar should not just work.

It should continuously improve.

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