First Floating PV System in South Africa
Marlenique Estate, a picturesque farm and wedding venue, installed a SolarEdge ground mount and SolarEdge floating PV to protect itself against rising energy costs and load shedding.
![First Floating PV System in South Africa](/za/sites/za/files/styles/tiny_convert/public/Webpages/Commercial/Case%20Studies/First%20Floating%20PV%20System%20in%20South%20Africa/Marlenique%20Estate%20South%20Africa%20900X650.jpg?itok=aawQRQ37)
![Floating PV system](/za/sites/za/files/styles/tiny_convert/public/Webpages/Commercial/Case%20Studies/First%20Floating%20PV%20System%20in%20South%20Africa/534kw%20Ground%20Mount%2C%2060kW%20Floating_Marlenique%20Estate_South%20Africa_installed%20by%20New%20South%20Energy%20%283%29%20%281%29.jpg?itok=vH4e38Wq)
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-icon.png)
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-icon.png)
With solar and power costs fixed for a minimum of 25 years, a solar installation was a better investment than planting a new orchard
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-white.png)
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-white.png)
Carl Van der Merwe
/ Marlenique EstateSolarEdge was chosen for its long-term, future-proof solution, which optimizes energy from each module independently and eliminates power losses. Tracking real-time module performance provides reporting visibility, as well as pinpoint troubleshooting, and remote O&M. Using SolarEdge meant a cost-effective 30% fewer strings. Also, SolarEdge products are designed for challenging environments to support the floating PV system which minimizes land use while reducing water evaporation.
![Floating PV system installed at South Africa](/za/sites/za/files/styles/detail_image_style/public/Webpages/Commercial/Case%20Studies/First%20Floating%20PV%20System%20in%20South%20Africa/534kw%20Ground%20Mount%2C%2060kW%20Floating_Marlenique%20Estate_South%20Africa_installed%20by%20New%20South%20Energy%20%2829%29.jpg?itok=qmOJUy04)
- First commercially operable floating PV system installed in South Africa
- Power Optimizers avoided power losses
- Monitoring Platform system oversees each individual panel for improved O&M
- Built-in SafeDC™, ensures automatic reduction of DC voltage to a touch-safe level if the inverter is turned off, protecting maintenance workers
- Power Optimizers are water and humidity resistant
- Diminished water evaporation from dam
- Reduced the number of strings from 5 to 3
- 135% oversizing
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-icon.png)
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-icon.png)
Anyone is welcome to try to take us to any solar plant better built than the one on Marlenique. I don’t think it is possible because this one is world-class standard.
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-white.png)
![Single Quote](/za/sites/za/files/2023-06/quote-white.png)