Repro Flex, South Africa
Background
All businesses need reliable, affordable power. Solar systems are a key way to achieve this, but the journey doesn’t have to stop with simply generating power. Storage solutions are an increasingly important part of the equation, and one in which Candi has significant expertise. A recent installation for Repro Flex is a case in point, and demonstrates the certainty and peace of mind that adding storage to solar can bring.
Repro Flex is a printing business based in Durban, South Africa. They are a significant player in the local printing market. In their industry, reliable, on-time performance is key to success. As one of the very first South African solar clients to partner with Candi, they have already been reaping the rewards of a solar solution for years, however, new factors emerged which were challenging their business in an important phase of growth.
The Challenges
Electricity cable theft is a significant issue in the South African context. It can cause serious unexpected power disruptions to business, which are worsened by the local municipality’s often slow response to rectify the problem. Over the last few years, load shedding (scheduled outages to manage electricity demand on the national grid) has further added to the uncertainty Repro Flex was facing. The existing candi solar system was going a long way to helping the business respond to these challenges, but now, a more advanced solution was required.
Candi solar’s Solution
After a comprehensive assessment, the candi team proposed a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that could be simply and seamlessly integrated into the existing solar generation technology. With candi’s end-to-end expertise, they were also able to accurately understand and meet Repro Flex’s requirements. Describing the process, Mercy Ntuli, Solar Engineer on the project says, “Knowing our client’s load profile, and understanding their specific business needs and electrical supply issues enabled us to provide a tailor-made solution for them.”
Initially, candi had installed a system with 43.2 kWp of PV capacity. In this second phase, the BESS system was integrated, adding a 50 kVA hybrid inverter and 40 kWh LFP battery bank. The system was installed and financed through a three-year, performance-based contract which ensured the solution was risk-free for Repro Flex. With the candi model, if the system doesn’t perform, the client doesn’t pay. Most importantly in this case, the system was developed with the growth trajectory of the business in mind, too, ensuring it was future fit.
The Results
The solution has been successfully installed and Repro Flex is already reaping the rewards. Despite recent loadshedding in the country, Repro Flex was able to run smooth on-time business operations without any concerns for power supply, ensuring their reputation for on-time delivery will remain secure. When asked about the overall experience with candi, Craig Oliver, Director of Repro Flex says, “We are very happy with our system. The installation has been done very professionally and is neat and good looking – everybody remarks on how well it has been set up”.
As this case study shows, storage capacity can be added to systems both during the initial build, as well as later on. By providing a complementary capability to solar generation, they allow businesses to enjoy even more reliable, affordable power, along with all the operational benefits that it enables.
For more information on candi’s storage offering, and how it can be integrated into systems of all sizes, contact us.
