Foreword from Vrede en Lust owner, Dana Buys:
“In early 2012 electricity became Vrede en Lust’s second largest expense. The cost of electricity was growing far faster than inflation and it was also clear that climate change was becoming a critical problem. We all had to change our ways.
We did the research and by investing in a significant solar power installation we could tackle both issues at the same time; reduce our carbon footprint and get control over our escalating energy costs.
The Vrede en Lust energy needs were perfectly aligned to solar power, as both the generating of electricity and our operations on the farm are at their peak in the summer. It was the perfect combination and solution.”
Vrede en Lust is a historical wine estate situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, equidistant from Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl. In 2012 an investment of 1,000 solar panels, three big inverters as well as cables and frames turned cash flow positive after 4 years. The plan is to replace the panels and upgrade the inverters in another 10 years, but the significant investment in cables and frames will serve the next generation of technology to come.
Vrede en Lust was one of the first Cape wineries to go all in on solar energy and many have followed in recent years. Dana could never understand those who said it’s too expensive. This installation was financed over 10 years, deciding rather to repay Investec monthly than carbon hungry Eskom.
This estate has prevented approximately 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. Annually, generating over 300,000 kWh of electricity which supplies various departments on the farm with power. Emitting 0.05kg of CO2 per kWh, compared to SA’s state power supplier which emits between 0.925 to 1.262kg of CO2 per kWh.
To put it into perspective, a mature tree consumes roughly 21kg of CO2 per year, thus 20kWh of usage from the government = 1 tree absorption over a year. Whereas the 3 million tonnes of CO2 Vrede en Lust has prevented from being released into the atmosphere over the past 10 years, they assisted in doing the work of 150 000 trees.
The large row of solar panels are still standing strong with 350 meters in length and a surface area of 1500 square meters. Most of the solar panels can be found in the vineyards below the Simonsberg in Simondium, the rest on the cellar roof.
All of Vrede en Lust’s wines are proudly labeled ‘Vinified By The Sun’ and with the busy season coming up, the estate is continuously charged by the African sun.
