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Donkin House Solar Energy System

While renewable energy systems are capable of powering small businesses without any connection to the electricity grid, we prefer the advantages that our grid-connection offers.

A grid-connected system allows you to power your small business with renewable energy during those periods when the sun is shining. Any excess electricity you produce is fed back into the grid. When the renewable resource (sun) is unavailable, electricity from the grid supplies our needs, eliminating the expense of electricity storage devices like batteries.

Donkin House has a 10Kwatt/hour three phase system that provides roughly a third of our energy needs. Please use electricity wisely.


Donkin House Hot water Heat Pumps system

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly. Therefore, they can be two to three times more energy efficient than conventional electric water geysers. To move the heat, a heat pumps work like a refrigerator in reverse.

Donkin House installed two heat pump systems in 2014, producing enough hot water for its main 20-room guest house. The system has a feeding loop throughout the guest house, ensuring that the hot water is nearby when you open the tap.

Please use hot water wisely, because energy and water is scarce in the Karoo.


Emergency generator

A standby home generator keeps your power on during an outage or load shedding. It is an independent source of electrical power that supports important electrical systems on loss of normal power supply.

Our standby power system provides lights in all rooms, the restaurant, reception, and outdoor lighting in all communal areas.


Security

Electric fencing

An electric security fence is erected to provide security for guests and all vehicles parked on the premises.

Access control

An electric gate opener for all entrances is standard. Remotes are provides at reception.

Please ensure that nobody enters the premises when the gate is open.

Cameras

48 strategically placed security cameras are 24/7 monitored.