Record solar install planned for SA

THE LARGEST rooftop solar PV plant in the country’s history is due to be installed on the roof of Cornubia Mall in North Durban.

The plant will be installed by commercial real estate developer Investec Property and is part of its mission to embrace renewable, low-carbon emission technology across its assets, there by decreasing their environmental impact.

The venture will reduce the amount of electricity the mall will have to use and ease pressure on the national power grid.

“We are incredibly proud of our team for securing this deal and for being able to enhance the value of the exceptional shopping centre, Cornubia Mall,” says Investecco-chief executive Gavin Bernstein.The property group’s solar partner, Terra Firma Solutions, will install the plant, one of the biggest in the world, over the next five months.

And with a direct current capacity of 5 254 kWp (5.25MWp) and an alternating current capacity of 4 290 kW (4.29 MW), Cornubia Mall’s solar PV plant will be the largest rooftop-only solarPV plant in Africa.

The current biggest roof top-only system in Africa has a DC capacity of 4 755 kWp (4.75 MWp).

THE ROOFTOP of Durban’s Cornubia Mall will soon be home to Africa’s largest rooftop-only solar PV plant. PICTURE: CORNUBIA MALL/FACEBOOK