- Australian orange farm cuts diesel use by more than 95% with 500 kVA solar and battery system.
- Chilean project adds 228 MW / 918 MWh storage to 220 MW PV plant with grid stabilising capability.
- Solutions now offered across Sub Saharan Africa through Cape Town based Altenso Africa.
Clean energy is proving its value from remote agricultural operations to some of the world’s most advanced solar markets, and SMA Altenso is positioning its African office to deliver that same versatility across Sub Saharan Africa.
In remote Australia, another SMA Sunny Island X system is now operating at a large-scale orange farm, delivering 500 kVA or 530 kW with 560 kWh of battery capacity. A generator provides backup. The system powers the water supply across a 1.5 x 5 km farming operation where reliable electricity is not simply a convenience but essential infrastructure securing agricultural food production in the absence of grid access.
According to the project team, diesel consumption has been reduced by more than 95%, significantly lowering operating costs and emissions. Projects of this nature demonstrate how off-grid solar and storage systems can enable sustainable food production and stable operations precisely where they are needed most.
At the other end of the scale, one of South America’s largest battery storage projects is under construction in the Chilean Atacama desert. The project complements the existing 220 MW Diego de Almagro Sur PV power plant. Since 2022, the plant has been supplying solar power to the region using SMA technology. It is now being followed by a 228 MW battery storage system with a capacity of 918 MWh and a four hour charging and discharging time.
At the core of the project are 67 SMA battery systems equipped with Sunny Central Storage 4400 UP S units featuring advanced SiC MOSFET technology. SMA is also delivering a dedicated plant control system developed specifically for large-scale storage projects.
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The battery storage facility will not only store solar power but will be dispatchable on demand. It will contribute to Chile’s security of supply through instantaneous reserve and black-start capability, strengthening grid resilience in one of the country’s most important solar regions.
Image credit: SMA Altenso
The large scale storage system is being built in the commune of Diego de Almagro in the Atacama region, operating in synergy with the adjacent PV plant to reinforce regional energy infrastructure.
These global references are directly relevant to African markets. SMA Altenso GmbH has strengthened its international footprint with the establishment of Altenso Africa Pty Ltd in South Africa, expanding its large scale energy solutions business across Sub Saharan Africa. The Cape Town based office is mandated to support both industrial and utility scale clean energy developments.
Altenso specialises in utility scale system integration including battery energy storage systems and green hydrogen technology. Backed by more than 40 years of expertise from SMA Solar Technology AG in inverter technology, the company has delivered or is implementing more than 1.5 GW of energy storage capacity and over 1 GW of hydrogen related power projects globally. It also develops its own projects and has successfully originated and sold assets in the European market.
The SMA Altenso team in Cape Town. Image credit: SMA Altenso
With its regional base now established, Altenso Africa will provide full system integration, project development and tailored solutions for markets facing grid instability and rising electricity demand. The company plans to prioritise battery storage deployment and advanced technologies that enhance reliability in weak grid environments, including grid forming capabilities, inertia provision and black start functionality.
As African utilities and independent power producers accelerate renewable energy procurement, the ability to integrate PV and storage at both off grid and utility scale will be critical. From powering irrigation on remote farms to stabilising national grids with hundreds of megawatts of dispatchable capacity, SMA Altenso’s track record signals a partner equipped to support the continent’s next phase of clean energy growth.
For enquiries, email the Altenso team in Cape Town at: Africa@SMA-Altenso.com
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
