The Ranch celebrates solar system project’s success

POLOKWANE – Standard Bank recently partnered with The Ranch Resort to finance the installation of a 735kWp solar PV system at the hotel’s premises and a special event was hosted last week to celebrate the success of the project with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Trudie Gunter, the financial manager at The Ranch Resort, thanked Standard Bank for their involvement.

“We decided to go this route as electricity costs keep rising. We are a leader in the hospitality industry in Limpopo and want to lead by example.”

The Ranch also employed an independent consultant to advise them on the project.

A 736 kW solar photovoltaic plant was designed, supplied and constructed by Sustainable Power Solutions and the plant was installed and reached final commission in October 2023.

“The electricity generated by the solar plant will feed into the resort’s local electricity grid during the day and ensure that the power consumed across the resort is clean, green, sustainable power and energy.”

Gunter continued by saying the 1 350 solar PV modules were installed in two separate sections based on the main area of consumption, and cover approximately 3 500m² of ground.

They are connected to grid inverters which convert the solar-generated direct current (DC) from the solar PV modules into grid-compatible alternative current (AC).

“The state-of-the-art inverters are grid-interactive and have built-in safety mechanisms to ensure optimal and safe operation of the plant at all times. The plant operates completely autonomously and requires no intervention by the owner. The system will be monitored by an online monitoring portal allowing ongoing performance monitoring, thus ensuring the maximum benefit to the resort and its guests.”

The solar plant has been designed with a 25-year scope, ensuring that the resort has the benefit of green energy which aligns with the long-term vision of the Protea Hotel Group.