Driven by escalating Eskom utility expenses and disruptive power outages, a commercial farming operation in Memel, Free State, successfully transitioned to a solar-powered crop irrigation system. Installed by agent NKZN Pumps, the hybrid solution utilises a 39 kW solar array composed of 70 solar modules to deliver clean, independent power. The infrastructure is managed via two specialised Veichi Variable Speed Drives: a 22 kW VSD running the primary 18.5 kW pump motor, and a secondary 4 kW VSD dedicated entirely to driving the pivot movement. The setup generates a substantial R25,000 in monthly savings, yielding a rapid return on investment while ensuring consistent crop watering regardless of grid stability.
