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PROJECT: Sabi Sands Solar Installations
Location: Sabi Sands Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Client: Sabi Sands Lodges Group
Sunspec Solar engineered and delivered a series of ground-mounted hybrid solar energy systems across multiple premier lodges within the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
PROJECT BRIEF:
Each project was uniquely tailored to support remote, off-grid operations — combining ATESS inverter technology, Hubble lithium-ion energy storage, and LONGi high-efficiency solar modules. These installations now provide sustainable, silent, and reliable power to some of South Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Rattray’s Mala Mala
System Description:
A fully autonomous hybrid solar energy system designed to support luxury lodge operations with 24/7 renewable power and minimal generator dependency.
Technical Specifications: Solar Array: 352 × 550 W ground-mounted LONGi panels → 1 93.6 kWp
Inverters: 2 × ATESS HPS 100 hybrid inverters
Battery Storage: 8 × Hubble 50/40 kWh Lithium ESS units (≈400 kWh total)
Mounting Structure: Fixed-tilt galvanized steel ground structure
Control & Monitoring: Industrial PLC controller with smart automation
Outcome: Rattray’s Mala Mala achieved over 70% reduction in generator use, with seamless power availability
for all lodge utilities and guest services.
Mala Mala Main Camp
System Description: A large-scale hybrid solar system providing full operational power to the main lodge facilities, offices, and accommodation.
Technical Specifications: Solar Array: 728 × 550 W ground-mounted panels → 400.4 kWp
Inverters: 1 × ATESS Bypass 500 kW + 4 × 100 kTL string inverters
Battery Storage: 4 × 200/1️60 Hubble HV banks (≈800 kWh total)
Mounting Structure: Ground-mounted, reinforced steel framework
Control & Monitoring: PLC-based automated load and generation management
Outcome: The system provides stable, clean power across all operational areas, maintaining near-complete
energy independence and drastically lowering environmental impact.
Kirkman’s Kamp
System Description: A high-capacity hybrid solar plant built for continuous, quiet operation within a remote wildlife setting.
Technical Specifications:
Solar Array: 762 × 550 W ground-mounted panels → 419.1 kWp
Inverters: 1 × ATESS PCS 500 kW + 4 × 100 kTL inverters
Battery Storage: 4 × 200/160 Hubble HV systems (≈800 kWh total)
Mounting Structure: Ground-mounted aluminum and steel hybrid racking
Monitoring & Control: Industrial PLC automation with live system status display
Outcome: Kirkman’s Kamp operates at over 65% solar autonomy, ensuring uninterrupted power supply, silent
operation, and an annual carbon offset of ~600 tons CO₂
Toulon Farm
System Description: A smaller-scale hybrid solar solution supporting agricultural operations and staff facilities within the
Sabi Sands region.
Technical Specifications: Solar Array: 55 × 550 W ground-mounted panels → 30.25 kWp
Inverters: 1 × ATESS HPS 100 hybrid inverter
Battery Storage: 3 × Hubble 50 kWh Lithium Batteries (150 kWh total)
Mounting Structure: Steel ground-mount array
Control & Monitoring: PLC-based energy management system
Outcome: Toulon Farm now operates with consistent renewable energy, minimal maintenance, and
dramatically reduced grid reliance and diesel costs.
PROJECT: Summary
These installations collectively deliver over 1 MWp of solar generation and over 2 MWh of lithium-
ion storage capacity to the Sabi Sands region.
Together they represent Sunspec Solar’s expertise in remote-site renewable engineering, providing dependable green energy deep within the African
bush.