Maxion Wheels Factory In South Africa Gets Solar To Cut Costs - CleanTechnica

Maxion Wheels South Africa has commissioned a 2.9 MWp solar power plant at its Johannesburg manufacturing facility to supply about 20% of its annual electricity needs. Installed in a combination of carport and ground-mounted configurations, the solar installation aims to reduce reliance on the national grid, protect against rising electricity tariffs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 5,100 tonnes annually. This project was launched during Maxion’s 60th anniversary and is part of a broader strategy to improve operational efficiency amid increasing energy costs and decarbonization pressures facing the automotive sector in South Africa. A second phase with additional rooftop solar capacity and potential battery storage is planned for completion by early 2026. The move reflects broader trends in the South African commercial and industrial solar market, where rapidly declining solar panel costs—from over 60 cents per watt in 2015 to under 12 cents per watt today—have made solar power a cost-effective alternative to grid electricity and diesel generators. This cost reduction