Through our recent ASK SOLA video series, we answer the questions we hear most often from businesses exploring renewable energy.

We’ve brought those answers together in this guide to help you better understand how utility-scale renewable energy works, what the process looks like, and how your business can benefit. Whether you’re just beginning your renewable energy journey or looking to deepen your understanding of energy wheeling, here’s what we get asked most.

What is the SOLA Group?

SOLA Group is a South African Independent Power Producer (IPP) that develops, finances, builds, owns and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects. 

Rather than supplying solar panels for rooftop installations, SOLA generates renewable electricity at large-scale solar facilities and delivers that energy to businesses through energy wheeling and long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

What sets SOLA apart is its vertically integrated approach. Every stage of a project’s lifecycle is managed in-house, from developing suitable sites to securing finance, engineering, procurement, construction, and the ongoing operation and maintenance of each asset. This enables SOLA to optimise performance and provide clients with a single, experienced partner throughout the project lifecycle.

What is energy wheeling, and how does virtual wheeling differ?

Energy wheeling enables businesses to purchase renewable electricity generated at a utility-scale solar facility, even if that facility is located hundreds of kilometres away. Rather than being consumed where it is generated, the electricity is injected into South Africa’s national grid and “wheeled” via the existing distribution network for consumption.

The renewable energy generated is measured and credited against the customer’s electricity consumption, allowing businesses to benefit from cleaner, more cost-effective electricity without needing a solar installation on their own premises.

This model has opened the door for organisations with limited roof space, multiple facilities or high energy demands to transition to renewable energy while continuing to use the existing grid infrastructure.

How does Virtual Wheeling differ?

Traditional wheeling has primarily been available to businesses connected directly to Eskom’s network. Virtual wheeling expands this opportunity by allowing municipal-connected customers to access the same renewable energy through a virtual energy allocation system.

Virtual wheeling uses an accounting mechanism to allocate renewable energy credits to participating customers. As virtual wheeling continues to develop, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in making renewable energy accessible to a broader range of electricity users.

What is the benefit of adding battery energy storage (BESS) to a solar plant?

Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are transforming the way businesses access renewable energy by making solar power available when it’s needed most – not just when the sun is shining.

A solar PV plant naturally generates the majority of its electricity during the middle of the day. Without battery storage, that energy must be used as it is produced. By integrating BESS, excess daytime solar energy can be stored and dispatched later, when electricity is at its most expensive.

Beyond improving savings, battery storage also adds flexibility and resilience to an energy portfolio. In short, adding battery storage allows renewable energy to be used more strategically, providing greater cost savings today while improving resilience against tomorrow’s changing energy landscape.

What does the journey of “Going Green” look like for a business?

Transitioning to renewable energy is often much simpler than businesses expect. While every organisation’s energy requirements are unique, the journey typically follows the same process:

1. 1. The first step is to share your electricity consumption with an IPP like SOLA. By analysing this data, we can determine the most appropriate amount of renewable energy to supply.
   2. Once the optimal energy allocation has been established, SOLA guides customers through the commercial and administrative process. This includes putting the necessary electricity supply agreements in place and finalising a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
   3. When the agreement becomes operational, renewable electricity generated from our solar plant is wheeled via the national grid and allocated to the business. Customers then receive credits for the renewable energy supplied, helping to reduce electricity costs.
   4. Throughout the process, SOLA acts as a single partner, managing the technical and contractual complexities so businesses can focus on their operations while making a seamless transition to cleaner, more affordable energy.

In short:

1. 1. Share your electricity data
   2. Receive a tailored energy solution and finalise the agreements
   3. Start receiving renewable energy and save 
   4. SOLA handles the complexities so you can focus on your operations

Myth Busting: “Rooftop solar can meet all of my business’s electricity needs.”

One of the most common misconceptions about renewable energy is that installing rooftop solar is enough to completely power a business. While rooftop solar can play an important role in reducing electricity costs, it isn’t always capable of meeting a company’s full energy requirements.

The amount of electricity a rooftop system can generate is limited by the available roof space, the size of the installation and the fact that it only produces power during daylight hours. Many businesses continue to consume significant amounts of electricity outside of these generation periods, particularly during the morning and evening peak demand windows.

This is where energy wheeling provides a significant advantage. By purchasing electricity from large-scale solar plants, businesses can access substantially greater volumes of renewable energy than a rooftop installation alone could typically provide.

If you’re ready to explore cleaner, more cost-effective energy for your business, sign up today and let our experts help you find the right renewable energy solution.

Watch the full ASK SOLA video series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D8AhgAPgD8&list=PLC9Xt1TEsifUFJ7M0x3sZDomQBsx-tMte

#PoweringPositiveEnergy