Case Study

Vinimark

Overview

Seeing great wines to success requires more than producing a product of distinction. The intricate process that ensures wines reach the glasses of consumers requires strong relationships, technical prowess and years of experience.
Vinimark’s deep understanding of distributing, marketing and getting perfect placement of wines on shelves has ensured they have every aspect covered – whether it’s nationwide or exporting to the world. Based at the Twee Jonge Gezellen wine farm in Tulbagh, the company also produces the popular Krone MCC. As the largest independent wine specialist company in South Africa, Vinimark markets, distribute and sells more than 50 of South Africa’s best-known wine brands.

Objective

Vinimark approached New Southern Energy to pursue their objectives of being less reliant on Eskom and producing their own energy, so that they could off-set their carbon footprint and fix their energy costs for 25 + years. The result would be a more sustainable approach to energy production and long term financial savings.
Furthermore, it was essential to Vinimark, that the system would not detract from the character of the farm and that the aesthetics be as subtle as possible.

Solar Solution

New Southern Energy designed a custom system for Vinimark that would fulfill their objectives and complement the structure of the buildings on the property. The 187.2kWp solar PV grid tied system is mounted on the main building’s roof. This delivers a further benefit of an additional level of insulation to the cold stores below.
A grid tied system delivers dual advantages of saving through producing solar energy with net metering in place and being able to access electricity when needed. Additionally, the walkways and ladders that are needed to reach the solar system for cleaning and maintenance purposes were spray painted to match the colour of the roof.

Team

Business Development Manager: Gavin Pritchard
Project Manager: Ramon Travenor
Asset Manager: Brian Ssebabi

Results

The site was completed in February 2020.
The solar system currently produces 25 – 30% of the property’s energy requirements.
The system has saved the site R 320 000 in its first year alone, with 305,2 tons of CO2 (carbon offset) saved.
Similar savings are expected annually in the future.