Reaping What You Solar: Farmers Harness The Power Of The Sun

Introduction

For South African farmers, staying efficient and cost-effective is key to maintaining a competitive edge, especially as energy costs continue to climb. Tucked away in the fertile farmlands of Douglas, in the Northern Cape, lie two such forward-thinking farms: Genade Boerdery and Delpa. These family-run farms have been producing wheat, maize, potatoes, onions, lucerne, and pecan nuts for generations. But now, they’re sowing a new kind of success - solar energy with Candi Solar.

Faced with rising electricity costs and an increasing demand for energy to power their irrigation systems, the farmers turned to us for a solution that didn’t require any upfront investment but promised significant savings.

With Candi’s PLIS (Performance Linked Installment Sale)model and a generous 125% tax incentive, these farms are now reaping more than just crops. They’re cutting costs, reducing their carbon footprints, and staying focused on what they do best: farming.

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The Challenge

Henbrie Boerdery, Northern Cape

Farming is tough on resources, and electricity powers much more than just irrigation pumps. Critical processes like refrigeration, processing, packaging, and irrigation, all demand a steady supply of energy. Genade and Delpa were watching their electricity bills grow like weeds. Vickie Bruwer, the third-generation farmer running Genade Boerdery with his three sons, sought a solution to cut energy costs without stretching the farm's finances. Delpa faced similar challenges, needing a way to power their farms without sacrificing cash flow or dealing with unpredictable maintenance expenses.

The Solution

Candi Solar offered a tailored solution, using our PLIS model to enable these farms to own their solar systems from day one without any upfront costs. This made the 125% tax incentive an additional advantage, allowing the farmers to write off one-third of the system’s cost in the first year. For Genade, this meant setting up 11 solar sites to power their irrigation pumps, which draw water from a nearby river for their extensive crops. The solar panels were carefully positioned on unused land near the pump houses, so they didn’t interfere with day-to-day farming. The inverters were tucked into purpose-built rooms nearby, ensuring the whole operation ran smoothly.

Delpa had a similar setup, tailored to their specific energy needs, with Candi managing every step of the way from design to installation and performance monitoring. As Delpa shared,

Always professional and eager to help, making collaboration seamless."

But we didn’t just stop at “switching on” the system. At Candi, we don’t just plant solar systems and walk away. Like farmers nurturing their crops, we ensure the solar systems stay in peak condition. We continuously monitor performance, handle repairs, and take care of maintenance all at no cost to the farmers so there are no unexpected issues. This way, the farmers can stay focused on their fields, confident that their energy supply is steady, cost-effective, and sustainable.

Genade Boerdery, Northern Cape

The Result

Switching to solar has turned high electricity costs into significant savings for Genade and Delpa.

For Genade Boerdery, the shift delivered savings of over R1 million within two years, alongside an environmental impact of approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided in 2025.

Delpa saw even stronger gains, recording R3.6 million in savings in just over a year, while reducing emissions by approximately 5,800 tonnes of CO₂ in 2025.

By embracing solar energy, these farms have secured a stable, green energy source that supports their operations for the long term.

For Vickie Bruwer and his sons, the solar switch has transformed what was once a financial challenge into a sustainable advantage. Their energy savings allow them to invest in the future of their farms, knowing they are harvesting not only crops but also the power of the sun.

Delpa, Northern CapeGenade Boerdery, Northern Cape

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