Klein Karoo International is the world’s leading producer of ostrich products including leather, feathers and meat, located in Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape.
![circle-Klein-Karoo-600](https://www.crses.sun.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/circle-Klein-Karoo-600.png)
![circle-Klein-Karoo-400](https://www.crses.sun.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/circle-Klein-Karoo-400.png)
The challenge
In 2016, CRSES was contracted to conduct a techno-economic feasibility study for a solar thermal system for the tannery, which makes use of Low Sulphur Oil, (LSO) – a fossil-based fuel. It was planning to increase production capacity and wanted to:
- Avoid escalating costs of fuel and realise financial savings
- Improve the sustainability credentials of the tannery
The solution
CRSES proposed the following solutions:
- 556 m2 (square metres) solar thermal system with flat plate collectors
- 40,000 Litres buffer storage
- Ground mounted system, which would mean extensive roof space would not be necessary
- Monitoring solution, with CRSES giving the tannery monthly feedback.
The results
From January to December 2019 the following results were recorded:
- Total fuel usage at the tannery was 494 584 Litres of LSO. This was a reduction of 51 785L from previous years.
- The reduction in fuel demand translated to R432 106 (four hundred and thirty two thousand one hundred and six thousand rands) in financial savings
- The tannery requires 873 MWh/y and 48.1% of that is now being supplied by the new solar thermal system.
- The tannery is now recording 152 766kg reductions in CO2 emissions per year.