FAMS Zimbabwe has gone off grid!
The company has invested in a new solar power and inverter system which has taken their offices and warehouse in Harare off the grid, as well as the FAMS Beitbridge office.
With so many power cuts in Zimbabwe, this has also ensured there is business continuity throughout the day and that staff can work in more comfortable conditions with air conditioning too.
The 48 solar panels on the roof of the newly racked and bonded warehouse produce 30 KVA and with Zimbabwe’s year-round sunshine, this is enough to power the facilities when used in combination with a powerful inverter and storage system.
FAMS also wanted to create a better working environment for its employees, to do its bit to reduce environmental pollution, and ensure the long-term future of its business. A plan for a phased introduction of solar power was developed and implemented. A local supplier was contracted to supply the solar panels and to provide inverters to ensure continuity of supply. The local Harare company also installed and commissioned the rooftop system.
The result is that FAMS now has a continuous supply of cheaper, continuous, power, a better environment for its employees and the potential (through a 3rd project phase) to install temperature controlled cold rooms in the recently renovated warehouse. The power supply can potentially also provide power for an electric forklift to replace the existing diesel one. All told there will be a considerable saving in CO2 emissions.
FAMS, is looking to the future. Electric delivery vehicles, solar powered offices and an environmentally friendly use of packaging and other consumables are essential for an industry which keeps the world moving. FAMS, has also installed solar power at its border offices, starting with the busiest border crossing with South Africa at Beitbridge where the business can now operate continuously without interruptions.