Powering the future – Lithotech is the latest Bidvest company to embrace solar energy

Lithotech recently transformed its 4 000 square metre factory by installing a hybrid solar system. The factory based in Epping, Cape Town is SA's leading specialist in printing, supply management, marketing material, office supplies and labels.

Solar installations vary in size and complexity, and this one took about four weeks to complete. It included 515 solar panels at 550w each, which can generate 282 kw per hour. This massive installation equates to 60% of the energy that Lithotech uses, leaving 40% reliability remaining on municipal electricity.

Upon installation of the system, through a monitoring process, it was discovered that the factory was still using excess energy after hours, with air conditioners consuming power at late hours when nobody was around, and machines were not operating. Fortunately the monitoring system was able to identify exactly where wastage was being incurred, pinpointing areas within the factory where energy consumption exceeded the necessary levels during non-operational hours. This invaluable data allowed for adjustments to be made, optimising energy efficiency and reducing unnecessary costs.

Post-installation, the factory now uses solar energy from around 6am to7pm each day and the balance comes from the electricity grid. Through this dual system, Lithotech has been able to reduce electricity demand by around 250kw/h for four hours each day by turning off certain items between shifts. This means a saving of R400 000 a year for Lithotech in electricity bills. Going forward, Lithotech is looking at ways to feed back to the grid between Friday afternoon and early Monday morning. This will mean that Lithotech is able to generate income from the system and assist in a small part with the energy crisis in our country.

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