Solar Voltaic specialists have revamped the 6 300 Sqm2 roof of a commercial vehicle assembly plant in Pinetown, thereby creating a carbon-neutral facility.

The solar system can generate up to 810,000 kWh per year. Surplus energy is fed into the local power grid. It is MAN’s first CO2 neutral commercial vehicle plant and should reduce the company’s CO2 emissions from production by 860 tons per year.

Apart from solar panels, the plant uses other renewable energies including skylights, which were built wherever feasible to use as much natural light as possible. Modern insulation reduces the workload of air conditioners while rainwater tanks are used to wash vehicles. Wastewater is also recycled.

“This project is the benchmark for sustainable commercial vehicles production in Africa,” says Dr. Georg Pachta-Reyhofen, Chief Executive Officer of MAN SE