Watsons Baconaries Secures Energy Independence with Specialized Solar Systems

As a well-established meat processing facility and butcher, Watsons Baconaries relies on continuous refrigeration, processing machinery, and retail operations to serve its customers efficiently. However, the rising cost of electricity and unreliable grid supply posed a major threat to their operations.

A key requirement for Watsons was a financially sound investment with a clear break-even period. SSS undertook detailed load analysis, data evaluation, and site-specific assessments, ensuring that the final design met all legislative requirements and overcame site-specific challenges. Given that the facility is a heritage building with asbestos roofing, Watsons assembled a specialist team to manage these complexities.
Following the successful design phase, SSS was appointed as the EPC contractor to execute the project, ensuring compliance, safety, and optimal system performance.

The Challenge: Rising Costs, Energy Instability & Sustainability Goals

Watsons Baconaries, like many energy-intensive businesses, faced multiple challenges:

• Unreliable grid power and load shedding, disrupting processing, refrigeration, and retail operations.
• High electricity costs, with peak tariffs increasing financial pressure.
• The need to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with sustainability goals and environmental responsibility.

With these factors in mind, SSS designed a tailored renewable energy system that balances self-consumption, backup storage, and financial returns, while making a significant impact on carbon footprint reduction.

The Solution: A High-Performance Hybrid Solar & Storage System

To achieve maximum energy efficiency and reliability, SSS supplied and installed a custom-engineered renewable energy system, featuring:

• 300kVA Inverter Capacity – 2 x Atess 150kVA HPS hybrid inverters for efficient power conversion and grid integration.
• 299.7kWp Solar Array – Roof-mounted system comprising 542 x 555W & 550W solar modules, generating 386.4MWh annually.
• 400kWh Battery Storage – 4 x Freedom Won HV 100/80 LiFePO4 batteries, with 320kWh of usable energy.
• Smart Energy Optimization – 2 x 187kVA Empores SmartPro energy-saving machines, powered by AI-driven power factor correction, voltage control, and harmonic balancing.

Dual Battery Strategy: Backup & Arbitrage

• Stored energy ensures security during load shedding.
• Scheduled charging & discharging optimize energy use, reducing peak tariff costs through energy arbitrage.

Municipal Grid Integration

• The system operates primarily for self-consumption.
• An approved SSEG (Small-Scale Embedded Generation) and supplementary agreement with George Municipality allows excess energy to be fed into the grid.

By incorporating Empores SmartPro technology, Watsons Baconaries gains enhanced equipment protection and further cost reductions, improving overall operational efficiency.

The Environmental Impact: A Major Reduction in Carbon Emissions

Beyond cost savings and energy independence, this installation has a significant environmental impact. The annual solar energy production of 386.4MWh translates into a carbon emissions reduction of approximately 334.7 metric tons per year (calculated using a conversion factor of 0.8665).

This reduction is equivalent to:

• Taking over 70 busy passenger vehicles off the road for an entire year.
• Preventing the consumption of approximately 140,000 liters of diesel fuel.
• Offsetting the energy consumption of dozens of homes annually.

This reinforces Watsons Baconaries’ commitment to sustainability while securing long-term operational savings.

The Outcome: Energy Security, Cost Savings, and a Sustainable Future

• Energy Independence – Reduced reliance on grid power and diesel backup.
• Cost Savings – Lower electricity bills, optimized peak tariff reduction, and improved energy efficiency.
• Operational Reliability – Uninterrupted power supply, ensuring seamless processing and retail operations.
• Sustainability – A cleaner, lower-carbon energy footprint, reducing emissions by 334.7 metric tons annually.

This project was successfully completed and commissioned on the 21st of February 2025, enabling Watsons to qualify for the current tax incentives, further improving the financial return on investment.

A complex project, expertly manage – this installation stands as a testament to the power of collaboration, with Watsons, SSS, and specialist teams working together to deliver a future-proof energy solution.

Thinking About Energy Security for Your Business?

Contact Specialized Solar Systems today to explore custom solar solutions that provide real savings, real resilience, and real results.