Truck and bus manufacturer MAN was optimizing its factory in Pinetown, South Africa.  Drees & Sommer supported the company in 2014 and 2015 with a range of measures, including the planning and realization of the country’s third-largest roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) system. 

MAN has operated a plant in Pinetown since 1962 and is now systematically exploiting the geographical benefits of intensive sunlight there with Drees & Sommer contributing their expertise. 

At the beginning of the project in 2014, different ways of reducing carbon emissions were jointly analyzed and evaluated. These included measures to improve efficiency, such as the replacement of older lighting systems, a new compressor for compressed air production, and installing a photovoltaic system. The engineers from Germany also supported the client with the concept, planning, tender process, and acceptance of the PV system. The improvement had the aim of achieving reliable, carbon-neutral factory operation. 

As a result, MAN has cut its energy demand by some 20 percent. Over the course of a year, the factory generates about six percent more PV electricity than it consumes, making it the first South African Green Factory for commercial vehicles. The payback period for the PV system is about six years.