Clearwater Mall : Phases 1 – 4

Details

Located in Roodepoort, Clearwater Mall is a landmark project in Solareff’s history and a significant milestone for the South African solar industry. The installation became South Africa’s first commercial rooftop solar PV system to exceed the 1MWp threshold for own consumption, setting a new benchmark for large-scale commercial solar adoption.

Hyprop embarked on the initial project to address increasing electricity costs, manage maximum demand constraints, and reduce penalties associated with exceeding demand limits. In 2014, Solareff was appointed to design and construct the first phase of the solar PV solution, laying the foundation for what would become one of the most notable rooftop solar developments in the country.

The project was implemented in four phases:

• Phase 1 (2014): 500kWp
• Phase 2 (2015): Additional 1MWp
• Phase 3 (2017): Additional 1.404MWp
• Phase 4 (2023): Additional 2.88MWp
• Total System Size: 5.784MWp

Following the completion of Phase 2 in August 2015, the combined installed capacity of 1.5MWp made Clearwater Mall the largest single rooftop solar PV installation in both Africa and the Southern Hemisphere at the time (2015). The completion of Phase 3 in September 2017 increased the system capacity to 2.904MWp, supplying approximately 15% of the mall’s total electricity consumption.

The final expansion further strengthened Clearwater Mall’s commitment to sustainability, adding an additional 2.88MWp and bringing the total installed capacity to 5.784MWp. Today, the project stands as a testament to the scalability of commercial rooftop solar and the long-term value it delivers through reduced energy costs, enhanced energy resilience, and a lower environmental footprint.