Cape Town Biogas
Western Cape

324.3kWp

Total system size

574

Total panels used

3

Inverters installed

“The inclusion of solar PV into the energy mix at Cape Town Biogas makes perfect sense and provides us with a significant cost saving with minimal risk and capital outlay by supplementing our power supply from City of Cape Town during the daytime when our electrical demand is at its peak. The installation of the roof-top panels, and integration of the inverters into our electrical board was a painless process, and the council application and approval and the certification of the installation was managed entirely by RenEnergy. Since the commissioning of the system, the monitoring and maintenance has been well managed by RenEnergy and the remote monitoring and logging system is an added bonus, providing us with real-time and historic performance information at the press of a button. We are planning to increase our solar PV footprint in the year ahead and need look no further than the partnership between Broadreach and RenEnergy.”

Terence Sundgren, Operations Manager, Cape Town Biogas

The ambition

Cape Town Biogas is leading South Africa’s transition toward a circular economy – converting organic waste into high-value renewable products. As the only one of its kind on the African continent, the facility transforms organic waste into bio-CNG, beverage-grade CO₂, and soil nutrients, significantly reducing GHG emissions.

To further strengthen their sustainability impact and reduce operational costs, Cape Town Biogas partnered with RenEnergy Africa to integrate a 324.3 kWp solar PV system - a forward-thinking investment designed to enhance the site’s energy independence and overall efficiency.

The solution

RenEnergy delivered a roof-mounted solar PV system featuring 574 solar panels and 3 inverters. The installation covers 1,518.59 m² and is engineered for maximum generation and reliability.

The system is expected to produce 486,954 kWh annually, achieving a performance ratio of 76.75%. This clean generation offsets approximately 477,539 kg of CO₂ every year, significantly reducing the facility’s environmental footprint.

This project demonstrates how renewable technologies - solar and biogas - can complement one another to create a highly efficient, low-carbon energy ecosystem.

Protecting the investment

Reliable performance underpins sustainability which is why a robust Asset Management plan is in place.

RenEnergy delivers Asset Management services on behalf of Broadreach, ensuring optimal system output through:

✔ Biannual electrical inspections to maintain system safety and reliability

✔ PV module cleaning three times per year, with additional washes scheduled as needed due to oily residue from the biogas process

✔ Standby support to assist with fault response and system recovery

Broadreach monitors system production and compares it against forecasted output based on irradiation data. When actual production falls below expectations, interim cleanings are triggered to restore performance.

The impact

The solar installation reduces the site’s dependency on grid power while cutting energy costs - allowing Cape Town Biogas to reinvest savings into expanding its renewable operations. The synergy between solar and biogas demonstrates how smart energy integration can drive both economic and environmental returns.

By investing in solar, Cape Town Biogas has taken its commitment to sustainability one step further - building a blueprint for how renewable assets can work together to achieve financial stability and environmental resilience.

Conclusion

The Cape Town Biogas project embodies what’s possible when innovation meets partnership. Through intelligent design, long-term asset management, and a shared commitment to sustainability, RenEnergy and Cape Town Biogas have created an energy model that’s not only greener - but also smarter, more resilient, and financially sound.