Solar Campaign - Keep the Power on at HERD

While winter brings shorter days and cooler temperatures to the Lowveld, HERD's solar energy system has continued to perform reliably, helping provide essential power to the elephant orphanage and homestead throughout the season.

At HERD, reliable electricity is critical. Every day, power is needed for milk preparation, water pumping, security systems, communications equipment, electric fencing, and the many behind-the-scenes operations that support the care of orphaned elephants.

One of the biggest questions surrounding solar energy is how effectively it performs during winter. We are pleased to report that even with shorter days and reduced sunlight hours, our solar plant remained fully operational throughout the winter months. The system continued to harvest significant amounts of solar energy each day, providing approximately seven to eight hours of maximum energy production and helping us reduce our grid electricity consumption by around 20% during peak generation periods.

Our solar installation consists of 200 solar panels, producing up to 150 kW of output, supported by 100 kWh of battery storage. Together, this infrastructure helps create greater energy security for HERD and the elephants who depend on us every day.

The success of the solar project is about more than saving electricity costs. It provides stability and resilience in a region where power interruptions can affect essential operations. By generating renewable energy on-site, HERD can continue caring for elephants while reducing reliance on the national grid and lowering our environmental footprint.

As we move into the warmer months with longer days ahead, we look forward to increasing the benefits of the solar system even further. For now, we are grateful that even during winter, the African sun continues to help power our mission, ensuring that the elephants receive the care they need while supporting a more sustainable future for conservation.