Pan-African energy-as-a-service provider Solarise Africa has commissioned the Idstone Vaalboskop irrigation solar variable speed drive (VSD) project – a transformative solar-powered irrigation system designed to deliver long-term energy resilience and operational efficiency for Idstone’s farming operations in the Northern Cape.
Developed through Solarise Africa’s hybrid financing model, the project features two advanced solar PV systems powering VSD pumps across the farm’s critical irrigation infrastructure.
This structure ensures reliable performance both on- and offgrid, while enabling the farm to benefit from South Africa’s Section 12B tax incentives.
Solarise says the installation not only supports cost-effective and sustainable farming but also strengthens energy independence at a time of increasing grid instability.
The first system, located at Idstone’s irrigation pump station, comprises a 444.6 kW solar PV array and 262 kW of solar VSD capacity.
The system includes 780 Longi 570 W solar panels and four ABB hybrid solar VSD pumps, three 75 kW and one 37 kW, each managed by dedicated solar VSDs running at a fixed speed of 50 Hz.
Water is pumped from an on-site dam to irrigate the farm’s fields. The pumps are manually activated by the irrigation team as needed, with solar energy prioritised to maximise offgrid operation and reduce reliance on fossil-fuel-generated power.
The second system powers the river pump station, also situated in Plooysburg. This larger setup features a 786.6 kW solar PV system and 448 kW of solar VSD capacity, comprising 1 380 Longi 570 W panels and eight ABB hybrid solar VSD pumps – four 75 kW and four 37 kW.
These pumps draw water from a nearby river and transfer it to the on-site dam for subsequent irrigation.
Solarise explains that the design ensures seamless energy use for continuous water transfer and enhances agricultural efficiency through a resilient, renewables-powered operation.
“This project exemplifies the strength of partnerships that prioritise sustainability, performance, and local resilience. We are proud to work alongside visionary clients like Idstone who are taking bold steps to futureproof their operations while improving efficiency and reducing emissions,” says Solarise Africa COO and co-founder Sakkie van Wijk.
“This solar installation is not just an energy upgrade – it’s a step towards building a more sustainable, independent agricultural future. We now have reliable, cost-effective power that allows us to focus on what we do best: growing food and supporting our community,” adds Roscoe Lawrence of Idstone.
Together, the two systems bring over 1.2 MW of clean solar capacity to the site, generating about 2.3 GWh/y of clean energy.
Over the system’s lifetime, it is expected to deliver energy savings of more than R25-million and avoid more than 2 200 t/y of CO2 emissions yearly.
Beyond financial and environmental benefits, Solarise notes that the project enhances irrigation reliability and insulates Idstone’s operations from energy price volatility and loadshedding.
“This milestone project reinforces Solarise Africa’s commitment to delivering decentralised, intelligent energy solutions that empower African businesses to thrive, responsibly, efficiently and sustainably,” the company says.