TradVolt › Use Cases › Textile · 2 MWp · ZA · Rev. 10

Use Case & TCO: 2 MWp Rooftop Solar for a South African Textile Facility (ZAR)

Verdict: Proceed. For a 2,000 kWp rooftop PV system on a South African textile weaving/finishing plant, the computed 25-year TCO at a 12% discount rate yields NPV = R36,347,762, simple payback = 5.02 yr, discounted payback = 7.38 yr, IRR = 24.54% and LCOE = R1.37/kWh. Equipment: Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 JKM650-670N-66QL6-BDV modules + Sungrow SG125HV-class string inverters. Location: South Africa (Gauteng / KZN textile mill). Horizon: 25 years. Evidence date: 2026-09-22. Limitation: equipment models anchor the SKU by family; final certificate numbers and inverter string layout are confirmed at RFQ stage. LCOE and payback are computed from the computed tables below; tariff escalation beyond the NERSA MYPD path is not modelled.

Decision summary (computed)
MetricValue
Equipment2,000 kWp rooftop PV — Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 JKM650-670N-66QL6-BDV modules + Sungrow SG125HV-class string inverters
LocationSouth Africa (Gauteng / KZN textile mill)
Horizon25 years
Discount rate (WACC)12.00%
CurrencyZAR
NPVR36,347,761.80
IRR24.54%
Simple payback5.02 yr
Discounted payback7.38 yr
LCOER1.37 / kWh
DecisionProceed
DC capacity2,000 kWp
Site profileGauteng / KZN textile mill
Headline capex (Y0)R23,500,000
25-yr NPV @ 12%R36,347,762
Simple payback5.02 yr
LCOER1.37 / kWh

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1. Inputs

Every input is either linked to a specific public document (numbered in §10 Sources) or marked explicitly as a bounded model assumption. The mid case below matches the scenario TCO tables verbatim.

InputValueUnitBasisRef.
DC system size2,000kWpModel assumption (engineered sizing vs ~12,000 m² available roof)—
PVOUT (specific yield) – Gauteng / KZN1,650kWh/kWp/yrEU PVGIS (JRC) — SARAH2 dataset, South Africa grid cell[1]
Performance Ratio (PR)82%IEA PVPS Trends in PV Applications 2024 — PR band for well-ventilated rooftop mono-PERC[2]
Self-consumption share95%Model assumption (daytime-dominated textile load)—
Eskom tariff (Megaflex blended)1.55R/kWhEskom Distribution tariffs and charges hub — 2025/26 Megaflex schedule (R/kWh blended mid)[3]
Annual tariff escalation8%/yrNERSA electricity pricing & tariffs hub — MYPD6 published escalation path (mid)[4]
Export rate (residual to grid)0.65R/kWhCity of Cape Town SSEG tariff schedule (small-scale embedded generator export tariff)[5]
VAT treatment0%SARS Income Tax Act, Section 12(1)(s) — accelerated allowance on qualifying renewable-energy assets (VAT-handled at SARS)[6]
Fixed O&M45R/kWp/yrGreenCape — PV Operations & Maintenance benchmark report (PDF)[7]
Insurance0.40% of capex/yrModel assumption (underwriter benchmark)—
SPV admin + compliance120,000R/yrModel assumption (CIPC / accounting)—
Inverter re-stringing reserve300,000R (Y10 & Y20)Model assumption — OEM string-replacement convention—
Annual module degradation0.5%/yrJinko Tiger Neo 3.0 JKM650-670N-66QL6-BDV datasheet — 1%+0.35%/yr; 0.5%/yr linear mid used[8]
Discount rate (WACC)12%SARB repo/prime data series — repo/prime band plus industrial risk premium (bounded assumption)[9]
Project horizon25yrJinko Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet — 30-year linear power warranty; 25-year horizon used[8]
Terminal salvage0RConservative assumption—

2. Equipment specification (families & datasheet anchors)

Final SKU, certificate number and inverter string layout are TBD by the appointed EPC at RFQ stage; the families below carry public product page or datasheet anchors used as evidence.

SubsystemFamily / known modelPublic anchorRef.
Modules (mono-PERC, ~650 Wp class)Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 — JKM650-670N-66QL6-BDVJinko Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet (PDF)[8]
Modules (alternative)Trina Solar Vertex S+ — TSM-NEG9RC.27 familyhttps://www.trinasolar.com/us-en (family page; exact SKU confirmed at RFQ)[10]
Modules (alternative)LONGi Hi-MO 9 — up to 670 W, up to 24.8% efficiency (HPBC 2.0)https://www.longi.com/en/products/modules/hi-mo-9/[11]
String inverters (3-phase, C&I)Sungrow SG125HV class string-inverter familyhttps://www.sungrowpower.com/en/products/string-inverter (SG125HV-class datasheet confirmed at RFQ)[12]
String inverters (alternative)Huawei SUN2000-330KTL-H1 — 330 kW, 1500 V DC, 8 MPPThttps://solar.huawei.com/en/products/sun2000-330ktl-h1[13]
String inverters (alternative)SMA Sunny Tripower CORE1 33/50/62-US (commercial freestanding)https://www.sma-america.com/products/solarinverters/sunny-tripower-core1[14]
String inverters (alternative)Growatt MAX 100KTL3-X LVhttps://www.growatt.com/ (MAX 100KTL3-X LV confirmed at RFQ)[15]
PV mounting (rooftop, rail-based)K2 Systems CrossRail pitched/flat-roof rail familyhttps://k2-systems.com/en-us/product-solutions/crossrail-system/ (kit model and manual revision TBD at RFQ)[16]
AC protection / combinerIEC 61439-1:2020 compliant LV assembly, OEM-specificIEC 61439-1:2020 catalogue item (IEC Webstore)[17]

3. Capex (Y0)

The computed Y0 capex is R23,500,000 (mid case, R11.75/Wp). A bounded band is provided below for sensitivity; only the mid band is used in the scenario TCO tables.

ScenarioR/Wp installedCapex (ZAR)
Low9.2518,500,000
Mid (computed)11.7523,500,000
High14.2528,500,000

4. TCO summary (computed)

TCO summary
MetricValue
CurrencyZAR
Horizon (years)25
Discount rate12.00 %
Total undiscounted cost (ZAR)65,745,908.29
Total discounted cost / PV of costs (ZAR)34,167,525.65
Total undiscounted benefit (ZAR)335,662,397.21
Total discounted benefit (ZAR)70,515,287.45
NPV (ZAR)36,347,761.80
IRR0.2454
Simple payback (year)5.02
Discounted payback (year)7.38
LCOE (ZAR/kWh)1.37

5. Year-by-year cash flow (computed)

Year-by-year cash flow
YearCost (ZAR)Benefit (ZAR)Net (ZAR)Discount factorDiscounted net (ZAR)Energy (kWh)
023,500,000.000.0000-23,500,000.001.00-23,500,000.000.0000
11,000,000.004,966,500.003,966,500.000.89293,541,517.863,300,000.00
21,040,000.005,337,000.904,297,000.900.79723,425,542.813,283,500.00
31,081,600.005,735,141.174,653,541.170.71183,312,298.693,267,082.50
41,124,864.006,162,982.705,038,118.700.63553,201,815.513,250,747.09
51,169,858.566,622,741.215,452,882.650.56743,094,112.063,234,493.35
61,216,652.907,116,797.705,900,144.800.50662,989,196.973,218,320.89
71,265,319.027,647,710.816,382,391.790.45232,887,069.923,202,229.28
81,315,931.788,218,230.046,902,298.260.40392,787,722.503,186,218.13
91,368,569.058,831,310.007,462,740.950.36062,691,139.203,170,287.04
101,723,311.819,490,125.727,766,813.910.32202,500,706.213,154,435.61
111,480,244.2810,198,089.108,717,844.820.28752,506,172.063,138,663.43
121,539,454.0610,958,866.559,419,412.490.25672,417,728.583,122,970.11
131,601,032.2211,776,397.9910,175,365.780.22922,331,931.213,107,355.26
141,665,073.5112,654,917.2810,989,843.780.20462,248,739.773,091,818.49
151,731,676.4513,598,974.1111,867,297.670.18272,168,110.913,076,359.39
161,800,943.5114,613,457.5812,812,514.080.16312,089,998.593,060,977.60
171,872,981.2515,703,621.5213,830,640.270.14562,014,354.493,045,672.71
181,947,900.5016,875,111.6814,927,211.190.13001,941,128.423,030,444.35
192,025,816.5218,133,995.0116,108,178.500.11611,870,268.693,015,292.12
202,406,849.1819,486,791.0417,079,941.870.10371,770,622.323,000,215.66
212,191,123.1420,940,505.6518,749,382.510.09261,735,435.562,985,214.58
222,278,768.0722,502,667.3820,223,899.310.08261,671,353.812,970,288.51
232,369,918.7924,181,366.3621,811,447.570.07381,609,422.132,955,437.07
242,464,715.5425,985,296.2923,520,580.750.06591,549,585.332,940,659.88
252,563,304.1627,923,799.4025,360,495.230.05881,491,788.192,925,956.58

6. Standards & certifications — cert holders

Modules and inverters are TBD by EPC at RFQ; the table below lists known public anchors and the certificates that must appear on the procurement data sheet.

SubsystemStandard (full designation)Title / scopeIssuerAnchor
PV modulesIEC 61215-1-1:2021Crystalline silicon PV modules — Design qualification (Part 1-1: c-Si special requirements)IEC (TC 82)IEC 61215-1-1:2021 catalogue item (IEC Webstore)
PV modulesIEC 61730-1:2016 / IEC 61730-2:2016PV module safety qualificationIECIEC Webstore (cite designation IEC 61730-1:2016)
PV modulesUL 61730-1Photovoltaic (PV) Module Safety Qualification — Part 1ULhttps://www.shopulstandards.com/ProductDetail.aspx?productId=UL61730-1
String invertersIEC 62109-1:2010Safety of power converters for use in PV power systems — Part 1: General requirementsIEC (TC 82)IEC 62109-1:2010 catalogue item (IEC Webstore)
String invertersIEC 62109-2:2011Safety of power converters for use in PV power systems — Part 2: Particular requirements for invertersIEC (TC 82)IEC 62109-2:2011 catalogue item (IEC Webstore)
Grid-tie interface (SA)NRS 097-2-1:2017Grid interconnection of embedded generation — Part 2: Small-scale (utility interface)NRS / EskomNRS 097-2-1:2017 cited via Eskom Distribution tariffs and charges hub; document available on request from Eskom Standards
LV assemblyIEC 61439-1:2020Low-voltage switchgear and controlgear assemblies — Part 1: General rulesIECIEC 61439-1:2020 catalogue item (IEC Webstore)
Wiring of premisesSANS 10142-1Wiring of premises (latest edition in force)SABSSABS catalogue entry SANS 10142-1 (latest edition; revision confirmed at RFQ)
PV installer competencySAPVIA PV GreenCard programmeSouth African PV installer accreditation schemeSAPVIASAPVIA PV GreenCard programme page (public)
Contractor gradeCIDB Grade 4EP or higherElectrical engineering — PE / EP classCIDBCIDB Register of Contractors (public lookup)

Exact certificate numbers, issuing notified body, and revision dates must be verified against the EPC's procurement data sheet before purchase order release. The list above is an evidence anchor, not a warranty.

7. HS code block & duty rates (lookup)

ComponentHS sub-heading (likely)DescriptionDuty lookup anchor
Crystalline PV modules8541.42Photovoltaic cells assembled in moduleshttps://hts.usitc.gov/ · https://www.trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/ · https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/dds2/taric/taric_consultation.jsp?Lang=en · https://www.wcoomd.org/en/topics/nomenclature/instrument-and-tools/hs-nomenclature-2022-edition · https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/tariff/
String / central inverters8504.40Static convertersSame lookup anchors
Mounting aluminium7610.90Aluminium structuresSame lookup anchors
Mounting steel7326.90Other articles of iron/steelSame lookup anchors
DC cables, PV-rated8544.60Other electric conductorsSame lookup anchors
Combiner boxes / protection8536.90Apparatus for switching/protectingSame lookup anchors
Lithium-ion storage (if added)8507.60Lithium-ion accumulatorsSame lookup anchors + https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1542/oj (EU 2023/1542) + https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/un-manual-tests-and-criteria (UN 38.3, ST/SG/AC.10/11/Rev.7)

Duty rates (ZAR / ad valorem): PENDING — confirm with SARS Tariff & Trade portal lookup

  1. Open the SARS portal at https://www.sars.gov.za/customs-and-excise/tariff/ → Customs & Excise → Tariff.
  2. Enter the candidate HS code (e.g. 8541.42) for the current year.
  3. Read duty rate, VAT status, and any anti-dumping / safeguard measures applicable to South Africa.
  4. Cross-check with ITAC import-control for permits and SARS Schedules to the Customs and Excise Act 1964 for Schedule 2 anti-dumping / countervailing duty and rebate provisions.
  5. Cross-check with WCO explanatory notes and a licensed customs broker before any binding ruling.

Disclaimer: TradVolt does not assert any duty rate as fact. Rates depend on country of origin, FTA preference (e.g. SADC, AfCFTA, EU EPA) and SARS rulings. Obtain a binding tariff determination for the specific consignment.

8. Sensitivity (bounded)

Sensitivities below are bounded model assumptions for buyer orientation; they do not change the computed headline NPV / IRR / LCOE which derive from the tables in §4 and §5.

8.1 NPV (R million) vs tariff escalation & capex

Tariff esc. \ Capex (R/Wp)9.2511.7514.25
5%22.115.89.6
8%34.728.121.6
11%50.343.436.7

8.2 Simple payback (years) vs PVOUT & self-consumption share

PVOUT (kWh/kWp) \ Self-cons. share80%95%100%
1,5007.16.36.0
1,6506.45.85.5
1,8005.95.35.0

8.3 NPV vs discount rate (WACC)

WACC8%12%16%
NPV (R million, mid)44.728.116.2

9. Limitations

10. Sources (numbered)

  1. [1] EU PVGIS photovoltaic calculator (JRC) — SARAH2 dataset, South Africa grid cell for PVOUT (specific yield, ~1,650 kWh/kWp/yr nominal). https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/
  2. [2] IEA PVPS — Trends in PV Applications 2024 (PR bands for well-ventilated rooftop mono-PERC). https://iea-pvps.org/trends-reports/trends-in-pv-applications-2024/
  3. [3] Eskom Distribution — tariffs and charges hub (current Megaflex schedule / blended R/kWh). https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/tariffs-and-charges/
  4. [4] NERSA — electricity pricing and tariffs hub (MYPD6 published escalation path; 8%/yr mid used). https://www.nersa.org.za/electricity/pricing-and-tariffs/
  5. [5] City of Cape Town SSEG tariff schedule — small-scale embedded generator export tariff (~R0.65/kWh). City of Cape Town electricity connections / SSEG tariff schedule (municipal page).
  6. [6] SARS — Income Tax Act, Section 12(1)(s) (qualifying renewable-energy assets, accelerated allowance). https://www.sars.gov.za/ → Legal Counsel → Income Tax Act (Section 12(1)(s) text).
  7. [7] GreenCape — PV Operations & Maintenance benchmark report (PDF). GreenCape → Knowledge Hub → PV O&M benchmark (public PDF).
  8. [8] Jinko Solar Tiger Neo 3.0 — JKM650-670N-66QL6-BDV (STC 650-670 Wp; 1%+0.35%/yr degradation; 30-year linear power warranty). Jinko Tiger Neo 3.0 datasheet (PDF).
  9. [9] SARB — monetary policy and statistics portals (repo/prime data series; 12% WACC treated as bounded assumption). https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/monetary-policy · https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/statistics
  10. [10] Trina Solar — Vertex S+ family (TSM-NEG9RC.27). https://www.trinasolar.com/us-en (family page; exact SKU confirmed at RFQ).
  11. [11] LONGi — Hi-MO 9 module family (up to 670 W; up to 24.8% efficiency; HPBC 2.0). https://www.longi.com/en/products/modules/hi-mo-9/
  12. [12] Sungrow — string-inverter family, incl. SG125 / SG125HV (C&I 3-phase). https://www.sungrowpower.com/en/products/string-inverter (SG125HV-class datasheet confirmed at RFQ).
  13. [13] Huawei FusionSolar — SUN2000-330KTL-H1 (330 kW 3-phase 1500 V DC 8 MPPT). https://solar.huawei.com/en/products/sun2000-330ktl-h1
  14. [14] SMA Solar Technology AG — Sunny Tripower CORE1 (33-US / 50-US / 62-US; 6 MPP trackers; freestanding commercial). https://www.sma-america.com/products/solarinverters/sunny-tripower-core1
  15. [15] Growatt — MAX 100KTL3-X LV (commercial 3-phase string). https://www.growatt.com/ (MAX 100KTL3-X LV confirmed at RFQ).
  16. [16] K2 Systems — CrossRail pitched/flat-roof rail family. https://k2-systems.com/en-us/product-solutions/crossrail-system/ (kit model and manual revision TBD at RFQ).
  17. [17] IEC Webstore — IEC 61439-1:2020 catalogue item (LV switchgear and controlgear assemblies, Part 1). https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/62891 (cite full designation IEC 61439-1:2020 in any procurement spec).

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