Elandsvallei Home for the Aged gets solar boost to cut electricity costs

An act of kindness has brought hope and relief to Elandsvallei Home for the Aged after the facility received a solar power system aimed at reducing its electricity costs and ensuring a stable power supply for its vulnerable residents.

The installation comes at a critical time for the home, which has been facing rising operational expenses while caring for an increasing number of frail and dependent elderly residents.

With electricity costs continuing to climb, the solar system is expected to significantly lower the home’s monthly electricity bill and provide relief from some of the financial pressure.

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Matron Wendy Hahne said the home has been spending between R34000 to R38000 on electricity, which they cannot really afford as they rely on government subsidy.

The solar system that has been installed at the home includes three 11KVA inverters, 30 Jinko 615Wp bifacial photovoltaic panels and six Rentech BAK150 batteries with a combined capacity of 45kWh. The system, valued at more than R112 000, was donated by Auto-X (Rentech) through the efforts of Mario Smook.

Additional work to prepare the site and install the panels was carried out by IJIKA, led by Dave Griffith. Their contribution included roof scraping and painting, installation of the photovoltaic panels, mounting systems for the corrugated roof, switchgear supply and installation, AC and DC earthing cables, electrical compliance certification and assistance with council registration processes.

Their work amounted to more than R112 000 in value. Roof repairs were further supported by Brite Coat, which supplied waterproofing membrane and paint to assist with restoring sections of the roof. Other community partners also stepped forward to support the initiative.

Link Air Conditioning repaired the home’s walk-in freezer at a reduced cost, while Electronic Device Services pledged to install an access control system at the facility’s entrance.

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Financial support also came from Rotary Anns Germiston, which donated more than R11 000 towards battery management systems for the six batteries. Additional cash donations of R6 000 were contributed by school friends of Esmond Erasmus, including Ronnie Carpenter and Theressa Coetzer.

The entire initiative was co-ordinated by NetPro Compu Services, led by Erasmus, who brought together the various donors and service providers to make the project possible.

Erasmus, together with his colleague Sakhi Mvimbi, also assisted with the installation of the inverters and the technical setup.

A remote monitoring application has since been installed, allowing the solar system to be monitored off-site to ensure it operates efficiently.

The partnership between Erasmus and the home dates back more than a decade. In 2011, Germiston Rotarian Benaud Barker introduced NetPro Compu Services to the facility, where they installed smoke detectors. Since then, the company has also installed camera systems and continues to service both the camera and smoke detection equipment free of charge.

Beyond the technical installation, the community spirit surrounding the project was evident during the official gathering held in February, 6.

Organisers received so much food donations that all visitors were catered for, with additional meals prepared for residents afterwards.

The matron expressed heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to the project, describing it as a powerful demonstration of community support.

“Over the years, Elandsvallei has evolved significantly from its original mandate. Initially established to house elderly individuals who were largely independent, the home now provides specialised frail care and support for residents living with dementia or requiring daily assistance. This will bring so much needed relief to channel the funds to other needs of the home,” said Hahne.

She said the shift reflects the growing demand for specialised elderly care, but it has also placed greater strain on the facility’s resources.

Frail care requires specialised staff, medical equipment and consistent electricity supply, making the solar installation particularly valuable.

Despite the improvements, the home still faces ongoing needs. Several roofs require further repairs and painting, buildings need maintenance, and the gardens require regular upkeep.

Hahne has also indicated that an additional 21 photovoltaic panels would help the facility generate enough electricity to fully meet its energy requirements.

The matron said, the solar installation represents more than energy savings, it is a symbol of compassion and collaboration, ensuring that elderly residents continue to receive safe, dignified care in a stable and supportive environment.