Powering the Future of Transport with SAJ Energy Solutions

 

 Johannesburg, South Africa                      Restaurant                      2024       

 130 kWp PV + 100 kW hybrid inverter + 200 kWh BESS Project

Project Background

Biekie Bos, located along the Klip River in Meyerton, South Africa, has spent over 30 years building a reputation as a restaurant that works in harmony with nature while supporting the local community. The venue employs more than 40 people and welcomes over 200,000 customers each year.

However, frequent power outages and load shedding severely disrupted operations. To keep the restaurant running, the business relied on diesel generators for more than 10 hours daily, consuming around ZAR135,000 worth of diesel within just six weeks. The noise, pollution, and rising costs not only strained operations but also affected the dining experience for guests.

Project Benefits

To address these challenges, Biekie Bos installed SAJ’s integrated C&I PV and energy storage solution in 2024. The system includes 130 kW of solar PV, two CHS2 all-in-one systems (100 kW hybrid inverter + 200 kWh battery storage), and a 150 kVA generator, with support for up to 200% PV oversizing.

The solution enables the site to achieve 100% off-grid capability and reduces generator reliance by more than 95%. Compared with traditional systems that require battery rooms and complex installation, the CHS2 all-in-one design allows installation within just 2–3 hours. The system generates approximately 160,000 kWh of electricity annually, delivers estimated yearly savings of about US$77,920, and offers a payback period of roughly 18 months.

Powering the Future of Sustainable Hospitality 

With SAJ’s clean energy solution, Biekie Bos can now operate for up to ten days without diesel, using the generator only briefly when necessary. This significantly reduces noise, pollution, and operating costs while improving the customer experience.

The project also contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing about 82.5 tons of CO₂ emissions annually—equivalent to planting around 140 trees. As Biekie Bos continues expanding its solar capacity, it moves further toward a future of resilient, sustainable growth for both its business and the surrounding community.