Large Commercial Properties Pay Some of South Africa's Highest Electricity Bills
Multi-tenant commercial properties face a compounded electricity challenge: the landlord absorbs common-area costs while tenants face escalating tariffs that reduce their ability to pay rent. For Investicore's Mandoval property in Pretoria, a large energy footprint and year-on-year Eskom increases were creating an unsustainable cost structure.
Specific pain points:
- High monthly electricity spend across shared and tenanted areas
- Eskom tariff increases eroding net operating income on the property
- Tenants increasingly sensitive to energy costs when comparing properties
- Large roof area sitting idle — ideal for solar but requiring expert design to maximise output
178 kWp Grid-Tie — Designed for Maximum Daytime Offset
Gentricity designed a 178 kWp grid-tie system optimised for the property's consumption profile and available roof space:
System specifications:
- 178 kWp solar panel array across available roof areas
- Multi-string grid-tie inverter configuration for shading tolerance and monitoring
- System sized to the building's peak daytime demand to maximise self-consumption
- Real-time production monitoring and performance reporting
Why grid-tie was the right fit:
- Commercial properties with large daytime footprints maximise solar self-consumption
- No battery capital required — Eskom provides backup during off-hours
- Fastest payback profile for a commercial property investment
- Section 12B allows 100% deduction of the full system cost in year one
Results (Estimated based on system specifications and industry benchmarks)
| Metric | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Daytime electricity cost reduction | 40–55% |
| Estimated annual savings | R600,000 – R850,000 |
| Payback period | 3–4 years (before Section 12B) |
| Section 12B net cost reduction | ~27.5% of system cost in Year 1 |
| System life | 25+ years |
Note: Figures are estimates based on system size and SA commercial solar benchmarks. Actual results may vary.
What This Project Demonstrates
For commercial property owners and developers:
- At 178 kWp, this system represents one of the larger commercial grid-tie installations in the Gentricity portfolio
- Large roof areas on commercial buildings can support systems that materially impact operating costs
- Solar makes commercial properties more competitive — lower energy costs attract and retain tenants
- Grid-tie delivers the strongest ROI profile where grid supply is reliable during business hours
Relevant solutions: