De-Risk your Commercial Solar PV Investment with PowerPulse

Given the ongoing toll of loadshedding and the rising costs of electricity, the business case for energy security is clear – however, the pathway to implementing a viable commercial renewable energy solution is not without its risks.

There are numerous potential pitfalls – they entail sourcing reputable suppliers; ensuring capacity needs are correctly scoped and adequately covered; getting cost and return-on-investment calculations correct; ensuring components are high-quality and backed by warranties; and meeting all the technical and legal requirements.

Introducing the PowerPulse Solution

PowerPulse by Standard Bank, is a digital platform solution that connects businesses interested in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) solutions with reputable, vetted suppliers and helps clients navigate the entire installation process from start to finish.

De-Risking Commercial and Industrial Solar PV Projects

Here’s how PowerPulse assists businesses to de-risk their Solar PV installations:

1. Working with credible suppliers: With thousands of operators providing solar services in South Africa and low barriers of entry, it can be difficult to assess which suppliers have the level of expertise required to deliver successful commercial and industrial installations.  Once you register on the PowerPulse platform and complete the needs analysis and feasibility assessment, you’ll be matched to credible solution providers and our Concierge Team will coordinate the necessary briefing sessions and site visits.
2. Ensuring proposals match your needs: Companies interested in Solar PV will typically call for quotes from multiple potential suppliers. When it comes to assessing these proposals however, if your expertise is not in the renewable sector it is often very difficult to compare solutions presented.

PowerPulse enables clients to obtain three standardised proposals from vetted suppliers. Clients can then access a detailed report that essentially helps them to compare ‘apples with apples’. This report shows:

• Pricing across the three quotes and explains how the price calculations work
• Quality of the equipment as well as applicable warranties
• How the system is sized in relation to your annual consumption load profile – enabling you to gauge whether the system is under-sized, over-sized or appropriately sized while still taking future growth and scale into consideration
• Applicable ongoing operational and maintenance costs (as this impacts the system’s lifecycle, continued efficacy and return on investment)
• Cash flow implications for each of the proposed solutions
• Payback periods, with scenarios that both include and exclude South Africa’s 12 B tax incentive.

3. Getting the right agreements in place: Unnecessary friction, delays and cost overruns can jeopardise project delivery and returns. That’s why it’s essential to have the right contracts in place. Once a client has appointed a supplier, PowerPulse assists with finalising Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that specify terms for delivery to be agreed upon by both parties.

4. Complying with regulatory requirements: Although alternative energy systems generating up to 100 megawatts of power no longer need a National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) licence, there are other rules and standards that still need to be adhered to. Failure to comply can result in fines and/or disconnection. PowerPulse matches clients to legal and technical experts to ensure all the necessary regulatory requirements are met.

5. Financing your Solar PV project: For many businesses, financing a solar project of magnitude is not as simple as accessing an overdraft or asset finance. That’s why Standard Bank has developed a finance solution that is tailor-made to renewable energy projects – factoring in suppliers, the regulatory environment and return on investment periods. Projects funded by banks now typically have payback periods as short as five to six years.

Want to get started?

PowerPulse is open to all businesses operating in South Africa

Click here to register on the PowerPulse platform for free and complete your Feasibility Assessment to start the journey towards energy independence today.