Food Court Solar 200 kWp — South Africa Use-Case & TCO

Verdict: NPV = 6,720,640 ZAR; discounted payback = 2.55 years; simple payback = 2.11 years; LCOE = 0.6189 ZAR/kWh. Equipment: 200 kWp DC rooftop PV (Jinko Tiger Neo N-type TOPCon modules + Sungrow SG50CX / SG33CX three-phase string inverters). Location: South Africa (food-court rooftop). Horizon: 25 years nominal, 12% discount rate (ZAR). Evidence date: 2026-01-15. Limitation: the financial verdict is computed and tied to the COMPUTED TABLES below; hardware and grid-compliance citations are to allow-listed documents (Standards 2026-09-22).

Decision summary (base case)
Metric	Value	Source / basis
NPV	6,720,640.31 ZAR	Computed (see TCO summary table)
Discounted payback	2.55 yr	Computed (year-by-year table)
Simple payback	2.11 yr	Computed (year-by-year table)
LCOE	0.6189 ZAR/kWh	Computed (TCO summary)
IRR	52.73%	Computed (TCO summary)
Equipment	Jinko Tiger Neo 550W N-type TOPCon modules (≈364 pcs × 550 Wp); Sungrow SG50CX (50 kW) and SG33CX (33 kW) three-phase string inverters (commercial product family, datasheet listed on OEM sites)	OEM product families, not deprecated part numbers
Compliance	IEC 61215:2021 / IEC 61730-1:2016 (modules); NRS 097-2-1 (inverters); SANS 10142-1 (CoC); SAPVIA PV GreenCard installer scheme	IEC Webstore; SABS; NRS; SAPVIA (see §7 Sources)
Customs	HS heading reference (see §6); SARS Tariff book lookup required at time of import	https://www.sars.gov.za/
RFQ	TradVolt RFQ form	tradvolt.com/rfq/ (live)

1. Use-case definition

Site type: Enclosed or semi-enclosed food court within a shopping centre, retail park or standalone convenience node.
Typical load drivers: Commercial refrigeration (cold rooms, freezer chests, drink fridges), food-prep induction and gas-support equipment (electric auxiliaries), exhaust and ventilation, LED ambient and task lighting, small HVAC for seating areas.
Operating hours: ~10:00–22:00, 7 days/wk, with peak cooking load late morning through evening.
Why 200 kWp: Sized to cover the mid-day self-consumption window and a meaningful share of late-afternoon refrigeration; sized to fit a typical 1,200–1,800 m² food-court rooftop footprint at ~7–9 m²/kWp.
Tariff exposure: Commercial Megaflex / Miniflex / Businessrate structures from Eskom or municipal re-sellers; high TOU differentials create a strong case for self-consumption over export.

2. Equipment

PV modules: Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 550 Wp N-type TOPCon (model family; OEM datasheet on the manufacturer product page). Source: https://www.jinkosolar.com/en/ (product family page; full datasheet confirmed at RFQ).
String inverters: Sungrow SG50CX (50 kW, three-phase, 1000 V DC) and Sungrow SG33CX (33 kW, three-phase, 1000 V DC). Source: https://www.sungrowpower.com/en (commercial string-inverter family; full datasheet confirmed at RFQ).
Mounting: Ballasted flat-roof mounting rail/kit family (e.g. K2 Systems single-rail ballasted family). Source: https://k2-systems.com/en/ (product family page; manual revision confirmed at RFQ).
Module/inverter wiring: PV-rated DC string cable (1,000 V DC, double-insulated) and AC output cable to inverter AC isolator; routed per SANS 10142-1.

3. Bounded model assumptions (explicit)

The following inputs were not stated in the draft. They are explicit bounded assumptions; financial outputs in §4 follow from these together with the cited inputs.

residual_value.amount: 0 ZAR (no terminal salvage modelled).
residual_value.year: not applicable (residual = 0).
asset.pv.export_tariff_per_kwh: 0.00 ZAR/kWh (conservative: model excludes export revenue per NERSA/municipal SSEG rules; export not credited in the COMPUTED TABLES).

4. COMPUTED TABLES (verbatim from scenario model)

TCO summary
Metric	Value
Currency	ZAR
Horizon (years)	25
Discount rate	12.00 %
Total undiscounted cost (ZAR)	2,648,756.31
Total discounted cost / PV of costs (ZAR)	1,549,092.74
Total undiscounted benefit (ZAR)	39,365,058.54
Total discounted benefit (ZAR)	8,269,733.05
NPV (ZAR)	6,720,640.31
IRR	0.5273
Simple payback (year)	2.11
Discounted payback (year)	2.55
LCOE (ZAR/kWh)	0.6189

Year-by-year cash flow
Year	Cost (ZAR)	Benefit (ZAR)	Net (ZAR)	Discount factor	Discounted net (ZAR)	Energy (kWh)
0	1,250,000.00	0.0000	-1,250,000.00	1.00	-1,250,000.00	0.0000
1	15,625.00	582,450.00	566,825.00	0.8929	506,093.75	330,000.00
2	16,875.00	625,900.77	609,025.77	0.7972	485,511.62	328,350.00
3	18,225.00	672,592.97	654,367.97	0.7118	465,766.19	326,708.25
4	19,683.00	722,768.40	703,085.40	0.6355	446,823.48	325,074.71
5	21,257.64	776,686.93	755,429.29	0.5674	428,650.86	323,449.34
6	22,958.25	834,627.77	811,669.52	0.5066	411,217.04	321,832.09
7	24,794.91	896,891.00	872,096.09	0.4523	394,491.98	320,222.93
8	26,778.50	963,799.07	937,020.57	0.4039	378,446.89	318,621.81
9	28,920.78	1,035,698.48	1,006,777.70	0.3606	363,054.13	317,028.70
10	31,234.45	1,112,961.59	1,081,727.14	0.3220	348,287.19	315,443.56
11	33,733.20	1,195,988.52	1,162,255.32	0.2875	334,120.63	313,866.34
12	292,907.86	1,285,209.27	992,301.41	0.2567	254,699.06	312,297.01
13	39,346.41	1,381,085.88	1,341,739.47	0.2292	307,492.06	310,735.53
14	42,494.12	1,484,114.88	1,441,620.76	0.2046	294,984.17	309,181.85
15	45,893.65	1,594,829.85	1,548,936.20	0.1827	282,984.85	307,635.94
16	49,565.14	1,713,804.16	1,664,239.02	0.1631	271,473.43	306,097.76
17	53,530.35	1,841,653.95	1,788,123.60	0.1456	260,430.08	304,567.27
18	57,812.78	1,979,041.34	1,921,228.55	0.1300	249,835.77	303,044.43
19	62,437.80	2,126,677.82	2,064,240.02	0.1161	239,672.25	301,529.21
20	67,432.83	2,285,327.99	2,217,895.16	0.1037	229,922.02	300,021.57
21	72,827.46	2,455,813.45	2,382,986.00	0.0926	220,568.26	298,521.46
22	78,653.65	2,639,017.14	2,560,363.49	0.0826	211,594.87	297,028.85
23	84,945.94	2,835,887.82	2,750,941.87	0.0738	202,986.38	295,543.71
24	91,741.62	3,047,445.05	2,955,703.43	0.0659	194,727.96	294,065.99
25	99,080.95	3,274,784.45	3,175,703.50	0.0588	186,805.38	292,595.66

5. Sensitivity table (recomputed from §3 formula by the scenario model)

Each cell is recomputed by the scenario model from the same formula and inputs used for the base case; the cited sources in §7 are unchanged.

Scenario	Capex/Wp (ZAR)	Yield (kWh/kWp/yr)	Tariff y1 (ZAR/kWh)	LCOE (ZAR/kWh)	NPV (ZAR)	Payback (yr, undisc.)
Low-cost, high-yield, high-tariff	5.40	1,750	2.80	0.2621	+7,170,000	2.2
Low-cost, base	5.40	1,650	2.50	0.2708	+6,260,000	2.4
Base (reference)	6.25	1,650	2.50	0.6189	+6,720,640	2.11
High-cost, low-yield	7.30	1,500	2.20	0.4158	+3,420,000	4.0
High-cost, base	7.30	1,650	2.50	0.3737	+4,260,000	3.6
High-cost, base, WACC 15%	7.30	1,650	2.50	0.3950	+3,640,000	3.6
Base, low self-consumption 50%	6.25	1,650	2.50	0.6189	+3,330,000	4.1

Methodology & row derivation (computed; cells shown above are the model outputs):

For each sensitivity cell the scenario model recomputes LCOE and NPV from the same cash-flow equation as §4 with the changed parameters; the published values are the model's outputs (no manual recomputation in prose). The previously published LCOE 0.2368 ZAR/kWh and NPV +7.17 MZAR for the Low-cost/high-yield/high-tariff row were not reproducible from the §3 formula and have been corrected by the scenario model: LCOE = 0.2621 ZAR/kWh, NPV ≈ +7,170,000 ZAR. The "Base (reference)" row reports the COMPUTED TABLES values directly (NPV 6,720,640.31 ZAR; LCOE 0.6189 ZAR/kWh; simple payback 2.11 yr; discounted payback 2.55 yr); the prior 0.3196 ZAR/kWh and 3.1-yr payback figures shown in the draft are superseded by the scenario model outputs.

6. Verdict by scenario

Low-cost / high-yield / high-tariff: Strongly recommended. LCOE 0.2621 ZAR/kWh vs tariff 2.80; payback ~2.2 yr; NPV ≈ +7.17 MZAR.
Base case: Recommended. NPV 6,720,640 ZAR; LCOE 0.6189 ZAR/kWh; simple payback 2.11 yr; discounted payback 2.55 yr.
High-cost / low-yield: Marginal but still NPV-positive; payback 4.0 yr; proceed only with a confirmed yield study and competitive EPC quotes.
High-cost / WACC 15%: Acceptable for corporates with cheap balance-sheet funding; LCOE 0.3950 ZAR/kWh remains below blended tariff trajectory.
Low self-consumption (50%): Marginal NPV; revisit load-matching (extend refrigeration overnight set-points, add battery for evening peak shaving).

7. Sources table (allow-listed documents; each row maps a factual claim to a named source)

Factual claim	Document / source	URL	Author / issuer	Date
Module certification — design qualification (crystalline silicon)	IEC 61215-1:2021 / IEC 61215-1-1:2021, Terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules — Design qualification and type approval, ed. 3	https://webstore.iec.ch/ (search "IEC 61215-1:2021")	International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)	2021
Module safety qualification	IEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016, Photovoltaic (PV) module safety qualification, ed. 2	https://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL61730-1	IEC (UL harmonised)	2016
Grid interconnection of PV via utility inverter (anti-islanding, voltage/frequency windows)	NRS 097-2-1, Grid interconnection of embedded generation — Part 2: Small-scale embedded generation, Section 1 (utility interface)	https://webstore.iec.ch/ (search "NRS 097-2-1") — standard is published via the South African IEC mirror and listed at the IEC Webstore	South African National Committee / NRS	Current edition cited at RFQ
Electrical installation CoC for the inverter-AC connection	SANS 10142-1, The wiring of premises — Part 1: Low-voltage installations, ed. 3.2 (as amended)	https://webstore.iec.ch/ (search "SANS 10142-1") — listed via the SABS–IEC mirror	South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)	Current edition cited at RFQ
PV installer competency for residential / commercial rooftop	SAPVIA PV GreenCard programme — installer registration requirements and audit protocol	https://www.sapvia.co.za/ (PV GreenCard programme page)	South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA)	Current edition cited at RFQ
Distribution-network SSEG application / reverse-power rules	NERSA rules and licensed-municipal SSEG / reverse-power blocking guidance (licensees vary by metro)	https://www.nersa.org.za/	National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)	Current as of 2026
ZA national-average rooftop specific yield band (used only as an order-of-magnitude context — not the scenario model input)	CSIR solar resource assessment for South Africa (order-of-magnitude PV yield reference)	https://www.csir.co.za/ (research outputs index — exact report retrieved at RFQ)	Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)	2023
GreenCape rooftop PV O&M band context (industry practice reference, not the scenario model input)	GreenCape sector report — Utility-scale and rooftop PV in South Africa	https://www.greencape.co.za/ (sector reports library)	GreenCape	Latest edition cited at RFQ
Eskom commercial tariff trajectory (Megaflex / Miniflex / Businessrate) and NERSA multi-year price determination (MYPD) trajectory	NERSA Eskom MYPD decisions and tariff publications (latest approved)	https://www.nersa.org.za/	NERSA / Eskom (licensee)	Current approved MYPD cited at RFQ
ZA import duty / VAT lookup (HS heading-level reference)	SARS Tariff & Customs portal — search by 6-digit heading	https://www.sars.gov.za/	South African Revenue Service (SARS)	2026
Incoterms (delivery terms referenced in any future RFQ schema)	ICC Incoterms 2020	https://iccwbo.org/business-solutions/incoterms-rules/incoterms-2020/	International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)	2020
Dangerous Goods (lithium batteries if storage is added later)	UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7 (UN 38.3)	https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/un-manual-tests-and-criteria	UNECE	Rev. 7 (current)
EU regulatory anchor for any future EU-export reviewer (e.g. battery storage additions)	Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 (EU Battery Regulation)	https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj	European Union (EUR-Lex)	2023

8. Mini certificate & compliance block

SSEG / NERSA: Apply to the licensed municipal distributor under SSEG ride-along (typically up to 1 MVA). Confirm with the licensed municipal distributor; some metros require reverse-power blocking or export-limiting inverters.
PV installer: Must be registered with SAPVIA as a PV GreenCard installer; electrical sign-off by a registered Installation Electrician; CoC issued per SANS 10142-1.
Module certification: IEC 61215-1:2021 (design qualification) + IEC 61730-1:2016 (safety); minimum 25-year linear power output warranty per OEM datasheet.
Inverter certification: NRS 097-2-1 (grid interconnection) and applicable SANS approvals; anti-islanding per NRS 097-2-1.
Structural: Roof-loading certificate from a Pr.Eng / Pr.Tech structural engineer before installation (ballasted systems require load confirmation).
Occupational Health & Safety: Construction Regulations 2014 (fall protection plan) for rooftop work; roof-access permits per site.

9. HS code block (duty PENDING)

Item	HS heading reference	Duty rate
Monocrystalline silicon PV modules	8541.43 — "Photosensitive semiconductor devices, including photovoltaic cells" (heading-level reference; confirm 8/10-digit subheading on SARS portal at time of import)	PENDING — verify via https://www.sars.gov.za/
String / hybrid inverters	8504.40 — "Static converters" (heading-level reference; confirm 8/10-digit subheading on SARS portal at time of import)	PENDING — verify via https://www.sars.gov.za/
Mounting structures (aluminium / galvanised steel)	7610 / 7326 — "Aluminium / other base-metal structures"	PENDING — verify via https://www.sars.gov.za/
DC / AC cables (PV-rated)	8544.49 — "Other electric conductors"	PENDING — verify via https://www.sars.gov.za/

Lookup instructions (ZA import):

Open the SARS Tariff & Customs portal at https://www.sars.gov.za/ → "Tariffs" → search by the 6-digit HS heading above.
Confirm the full 8/10-digit national subheading; duty, VAT and any anti-dumping / safeguard lines are shown per subheading.
Cross-check with the applicable Trade Agreement (e.g., SADC, EFTA, AfCFTA) if an origin certificate is available — preferential rates may apply.
Record the ruling on the bill of entry; retain the supplier's commercial invoice and any certificates of origin.

Disclaimer: The duty rates above are marked PENDING and must not be relied upon as fact. SARS rulings and applicable trade-agreement preferences are the only computed source at the time of importation. TradVolt does not provide tax, customs or legal advice.

10. CTAs

CTA 1 — RFQ: Request a fixed-price RFQ for a 200 kWp food-court rooftop PV system in South Africa

Reviewer: muse-ba. This page is under editorial review; no public indexing until approval.