Environmental Impact Floating Solar FCPrinslooHonorsDissertation

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Environmental impact and assessment for floating solar systems on wine

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Thesis · January 2017
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Environmental impact and assessment for
oating solar systems on wine farms in the
Western Cape Wine Region
by
Frederik Christoel Prinsloo
Thesis presented in partial fullment of the requirements for

the degree of Bachelor Science (Honours) at the Department
of Geography in the College of Agriculture and
Environmental Sciences at the
University of South Africa
January 2017
Abstract
Environmental awareness and market forces are placing increasing pressure on

wineries in the Cape Winelands region to adopt environmentally friendly and
sustainable production practices. In terms of green energy and carbon foot-
print reduction, international development funding is available for projects
that involve the innovative use of the photovoltaic technology in the Western
Cape region. Removing historical vineyards to set up solar energy units on
vineyard land is however not sustainable. This is one reason why space sav-
ing oating solar technology is lately attracting the attention of wine farmers
in the Cape Winelands region. These renewable energy generation systems
harvest power from sunlight while oating on vineyard irrigation ponds, thus
preserving valuable fertile vineyard land. Since the environmental impact for
water-based oating photovoltaic solar systems diers from land-based pho-
tovoltaic systems, new environmental impact assessment models need to be
developed to assist environmental impact practitioners and project owners
with environmental approvals. In this study, the focus is on the development
of a method and means to study the environmental impact benets of oating
solar systems on wineries in the Western Cape. Since environmental impact
assessment studies require investigation in compliance with the Environmental
Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation and regulations, this research focusses on
the development and application of a computer based model with a supporting
research questionnaire in a methodology that assists with environmental and
sustainability analyses for oating solar in wineries. This parametric model
experiment with water, energy, land and food (WELF) nexus variables as a
means to study sustainability scenarios in terms of food production, land-,
energy- and water-resource interactions. Scenario based experimental results
demonstrate the application of the proposed model and methodology through
illustrations, graphs and tables that quantify the determined environmental
impact eects in terms of WELF nexus parameters and greenhouse gas emis-
sions associated with Eskom grid substitution at three wine farms in the Cape
Winelands region.
Keywords: WELF nexus, environmental impact assessment, oating solar sys-
tems, oatovoltaics, Eskom grid substitution, carbon footprint reduction, solar winer-
ies, Western Cape wine farms.
i
ii
Nomenclature
Abbreviations and Acronyms

CER Certied Emission Reduction
CPV Concentrated Photovoltaic
EAP Environmental Assessment Practitioner
EIA Environmental Impact Assessment
EIAR Environmental Impact Assessment Report
EMPr Environmental Management Programme
ESR Environmental Scoping Report
ESS Environmental Scoping Study
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GPS Global Positioning System
NEMA National Environmental Management Act (No 107 of 1998)
kWh kilo Watt hour
PV photovoltaic
RE Renewable Energy
RES Renewable Energy Systems
WELF Water Energy Land Food (nexus)
Environmental Impact Elements

H2 O Water
CO2 Carbon dioxide
SO2 Sulphur dioxide
NOx Nitrogen oxides
Companies, Institutions and Countries

CWR Cape Winelands Region
DEA Department of Environmental Aairs
DOE Department of Energy
EC European Commission
iii
NOMENCLATURE iv
EU European Union
ESKOM National Electricity Supplier (South Africa)
IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency
NDP National Development Plan (SA)
NPC National Planning Commission (SA)
NERSA National Energy Regulator of South Africa
NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory (USA)
SA South Africa
UK United Kingdom
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNISA University of South Africa
USA United States of America
WCWR Western Cape Wine Region
Contents
Abstract i
Acknowledgements ii
Nomenclature iii
Contents v
List of Figures vi
List of Tables vii
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Study background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2 Research topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3 Problem statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4 Research questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5 Research aims and objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.6 Theoretical paradigm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.7 Dissertation layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2 Literature Review 6
2.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 Solar energy in the wine making industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3 Environmental impact of solar systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.4 Potential impact on water resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.5 International oating solar applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.6 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3 Research Methodology 13
3.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2 Research study methodology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2.1 Research design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.2.2 Research method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.2.2.1 Environmental simulation analysis technique . . 16
v
CONTENTS vi
3.2.2.2 Simulation model input eldwork parameters . 18

3.2.3 The data collection process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.2.3.1 Data gathering, sampling and population . . . 20
3.2.3.2 Experimental procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.2.4 Data processing and analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.3 Research ethics considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.4 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
4 Results and Discussion 24
4.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.2 Experimental site selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4.3 Experimental results for wine farm sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
4.3.1 Results for Van Loveren winery (Breederiver) . . . . . . 25
4.3.1.1 Van Loveren wine farm: Energy analysis . . . . 26
4.3.1.2 Van Loveren wine farm: Environmental analysis 27
4.3.2 Results for Nederburg winery (Drakenstein) . . . . . . . 28
4.3.2.1 Nederburg wine farm: Energy analysis . . . . . 29
4.3.2.2 Nederburg wine farm: Environmental analysis . 30
4.3.3 Results for Spier winery (Boland) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.3.3.1 Spier wine farm: Energy analysis . . . . . . . . 32
4.3.3.2 Spier wine farm: Environmental analysis . . . . 33
4.4 Discussion of results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.4.1 Results in context of WELF nexus parameters . . . . . . 34
4.4.2 Results in context of study aims and objectives . . . . . 39
4.5 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
5 Summary and Conclusion 41
5.1 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.2 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
5.3 Directions for future research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
List of References 46
Appendices 51
A Sample Research Questionnaire (completed) 52
B Processed Questionnaires 62
List of Figures
2.1 Solar Atlas for South Africa showing annual solar energy harvest-
ing potential of around 1900 kWh/m2 in the Cape Winelands re-
gion(SolarGIS, 2012). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2 Comparison between a oating solar and land based photovoltaic
system for in terms of the daily average generation capacity to show
the superiority of a oating solar system for both (a) 100 kW and
(b) 500 kW capacities (Choi, 2014). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.3 Elements of carbon footprint contributions on a typical Cape Winelands
wine farm (James and Shachar, 2015). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.4 Floating cover for evaporation control at a Barrossa Valley vineyard
irrigation pond (Evaporation Control Systems, 2003). . . . . . . . . 9
2.5 Floating photovoltaic projects international development time-line
(Trapani and Santafe, 2015). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.1 Demarcated study area of the Cape Winelands region (Jabeni, 2015). 16
3.2 Proposed simulation model for data capturing in oatovoltaic en-
vironmental impact assessment studies for wineries in the Cape
Winelands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4.1 Experimentally determined monthly energy outputs for the pro-
posed oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm (Breed-
eriver). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
4.2 Anticipated environmental impact factor benets for the proposed
oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm in the Breed-
eriver district. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
posed oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm (Drakenstein). 29
oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm in the Drakenstein
district. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
posed oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm (Boland). . . . . 32
oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm in the Boland district. . 34
vii
LIST OF FIGURES viii
4.7 Comparison of energy model outputs for envisaged oatovoltaic

systems at the Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein)
and Spier (Boland) wine farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4.8 Comparison of environmental impacts with respect to environmen-
tal GHG substances for envisaged oatovoltaic systems at the three
wine farms Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein)
and Spier (Boland). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
4.9 Comparison of area normalised energy model outputs for envisaged
oatovoltaic systems at the Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg
(Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland) wine farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4.10 Comparison of area normalised environmental impacts with respect
to environmental GHG substances for the three wine farms Van
Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland). 38
List of Tables
4.1 Van Loveren energy and environmental model input parameters. . . 25

4.2 Environmental model output values for proposed oatovoltaic sys-
tem at the Van Loveren wine farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
4.3 Nederburg energy and environmental model input parameters. . . . 28
tem at the Nederburg wine farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.5 Spier energy and environmental model input parameters. . . . . . . 31
tem at the Spier wine farm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
4.7 Comparison of land-use savings and associated food production
land-preservation benets for envisaged oatovoltaic systems at
the Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier
(Boland) wine farms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
4.8 Comparison of the seasonal variations in energy consumption for
the wineries at the Van Loveren, Nederburg and Spier wine farms. . 36
ix
1. Introduction
1.1. Study background

Environmental awareness and market forces are placing increasing pressure on
wineries in the Cape Winelands region of South Africa to adopt environmen-
tally friendly and sustainable production practices (European Commission,
2008). For this reason, a number of wine farms in the Cape Winelands region
are eager to develop and harvest energy o local sustainable energy resources.
The sun provides a tremendous resource for harvesting clean renewable solar
energy without releasing global warming emissions and pollution (Tsoutsos
et al., 2005). Solar power systems in grid Eskom substitution applications will
help to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decrease a number of
other aerial pollutant emissions from coal power stations (Letete et al., 2010).
With the view of supporting sustainable agricultural practices on their wine
farms, wineries therefore aim at reducing their carbon footprint by installing
solar power technology. Through this, wine farmers would be able to generate
their own clean and sustainable electricity while becoming less reliant on the
national energy grid.
Uprooting historical vineyards to install solar energy units on vineyard land
is however not sustainable. This is one reason why land-space saving oating
solar technology is lately attracting the attention of wine farmers in the Cape
Winelands region. Floating solar is a special type of over-water solar power
system that can typically be installed on irrigation ponds or dams in the winery
vineyards (Yasmeena and Dhas, 2015). It generates electricity by harvesting
solar energy from sunlight at cooler operating temperatures, thus creating
a clean energy ecosystem with improved eciency at the added benet of
preserving valuable agricultural land for food/fruits and wine production. The
shadowing eects of these systems inherently keep irrigation water reservoirs
cooler, thus creating yet more benets in terms of limiting water evaporation
and controlling toxic algal growth within winery irrigation reservoirs (SPG
Solar, 2010).
Following the success of oating solar technology amongst wine farmers in
the USA Napa Valley (Pentland, 2011), wine farmers in the Cape Winelands
region of South Africa also wish to benet from the environmental value propo-
sition oered by oating solar systems. Even more so since local government
1
CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 2
programs in this region oer wine farmers the opportunity to benet from in-
ternational solar power installation subsidies (Sioshansi, 2011)(USTDA, 2013).
However, local investments in oating solar power installations are subject
to strict regional agricultural development legislation (Environmental Aairs,
2009). These regulations prescribe that solar systems can only be installed at
sites where the development would be environmentally friendly and technically
feasible.
Within this context, the goal of the present research project is to help re-
solve some of these environmental sustainability analysis challenges, especially
around the planning of newly envisaged oating solar installations at wine
farms in the Cape Winelands region. The study uses present-day theoretical
frameworks provided by the environmental geography and energy geography
disciplines in the process of formulating and developing a desktop computer
simulation model that would help to simplify and semi-automate certain as-
pects of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) and due-diligence analysis
processes for newly envisioned and planned winery oating solar installations.
1.2. Research topic

With the aim to support emerging energy technology concepts such as oat-
ing solar photovoltaic systems in the wine making industry, there are certain
environmental impact assessment challenges that needs to be overcome (Choi,
2014). Environmental legislation requires that environmental due-diligence
and environmental impact studies be conducted for pre-approval before the
installation of solar power systems (Environmental Aairs, 2009). Such stud-
ies are required to obtain environmental authorisation and should therefore
provide quantitatively measurable evidence of potential environmental bene-
ts that would result from the physical roll-out of oating solar systems on
wine farms.
From a physical geography perspective, the geographical implications of en-
ergy transitions are receiving increasing attention from groups of geographers
who are researching energy related geography topics (Solomon et al., 2003).
The American Association of Geographers (AAG) for example has established
the Energy and Environment Speciality Group as a result of the growing pop-
ularity of energy and environment amongst both physical and human geogra-
phers (Petrova, 2014). As a member of this interest group, Estrada (2006),
introduced the notion of the "geo-energy space". This concept was dened to
strengthen energy and environmental policy positions within certain regions
in the world. This conceptual geo-energy space hypothesis has become the ba-
sis for interrogating spatial and territorial embedding of renewable and other
energy ows. The hope is to eventually develop regional geographical energy
frameworks (Mañé-Estrada, 2006), wherein environmental impact assessment
research will lay the underlying foundation to support regional projects down
to levels such as sustainable winery expansion (Zoeclein, 2008).
In terms of this geographical topic, the present research set the goal to help
overcome some of the environmental impact assessment challenges associated
with water-based oating solar systems. Through the development of an en-
visaged geographical computer simulation model, the objective is to develop
an electronic environmental scorecard that can be used in environmental im-
pact analysis processes related to oating solar system installations. Within
this geographical context, the rest of this chapter provides an overview of the
research problem statement, the research question, and the research aims &
objectives in terms of geographical implications of energy transitions from a
physical-geography point of view.
1.3. Problem statement

From the discussion above, it should be clear that green energy and conser-
vation are key requirements for successful wine farming. At the same time,
global warming, water scarcity, environmental awareness and market forces are
placing increasing pressure on wineries in the Cape Winelands region to adopt
environmentally friendly and sustainable production practices. The problem
is that wineries are located on valuable land and do not always have sucient
land/space available to expand viticulture activities or to set up renewable en-
ergy systems such as solar power systems for oenology activities. In this geo-
graphic research project we therefore study the application of computer models
to help analyse the potential for including oating solar as a green energy solu-
tion scenario into environmental conservation and space/land-use optimization
plans for wine-farms in the Cape Winelands region of South Africa.
1.4. Research questions

The main research question in this study is: What would be the environmental
impact and sustainability considerations resulting from the implementation of
a oating solar system in a typical winery in the Cape Winelands region?
Forth-owing from our research question, the research aims to address the
following sub-questions:
Would a oating solar system be able to provide sucient renewable
energy to the winery?
What will be the carbon footprint impact of a oating solar system in
terms of Eskom grid power substitution?
How would such a oating renewable energy system impact the Water,
Energy, Land and Food (WELF) nexus?
These questions and sub-questions will be addressed in the present study

as part of the process to develop a geographic computer simulation model
based on WELF nexus parameters, that could be used in the analysis of the
environmental impact of newly planned oating solar systems.
1.5. Research aims and objectives

The aim of this research is to determine the feasibility of using a oating solar
system on a typical wine farm in the Cape Winelands region through specic
observation of its associated environmental impacts.
The research objectives of this study are as follows:
To determine whether there is an opportunity for the use of oating solar
systems on wine farms in the Cape Winelands region.
To examine the anticipated eects of oating solar systems on water
systems in the Cape Winelands region.
To evaluate if oating solar systems can make a positive contribution
toward sustainable wine farming in the Cape Winelands region.
To evaluate the impact of a oating solar system on the carbon footprint
of the farm in terms of energy savings and Eskom grid power usage.
To determine the environmental impact balance of oating solar systems
in terms of Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) nexus parameters.
1.6. Theoretical paradigm

In this study, the theoretical framework provided by the elds of environmental-
geography and energy-geography will be used to develop a computer simulation
model to simplify the environmental impact analysis process. Part of the goal
of this study is to make sense of the environmental impact of oating solar sys-
tems on wine farms by considering the broader geographical challenges raised
by growing energy use (Noel et al., 2009).
The proposed integrated geographical environmental and energy model for
a oating solar system aims to model the environmental and spatial aspects of
interactions between human development and the natural environment. The
model will thus incorporate human-environment geography principles and en-
ergy geography principles (companion to environmental-geography) to study
environmental impact eects (Noel et al., 2009). The research is thus con-
cerned with the general eld of human-geography and is approached from the
angle of sustainable development. The research falls within the category of
coupled human-environment systems, where human activity in general has a

potential to aect the environment.
To evaluate environmental impact eects of oating solar system, the WELF
nexus and water, energy and food security lie at the heart of the proposed
environmental model (Ringler et al., 2013). Ho (2011), in his work Under-
standing the Nexus, describes the central theoretical framework of the WELF
nexus, namely that "nexus thinking is concerned with addressing externali-
ties across multiple sectors, with a focus on system eciency, rather than on
the productivity of isolated sectors". This concept thus stands central in the
environmental impact analysis framework of this study.
Within this WELF context, solar energy systems provide signicant en-
vironmental benets in comparison to the conventional energy sources. This
framework can thus contribute to the sustainable development of human activ-
ities. The WELF Nexus together with other theoretical frameworks, such as
solar resource assessment and the characterization of solar energy technologies,
support the present study (Tsoutsos et al., 2005).
1.7. Dissertation layout

The project dissertation consists of four chapters. Chapter 1 introduces the
research scope, technological focus and demarcated theoretical framework of
the study. It also denes the research topic and research questions together
with the aims and objectives of the study. Chapter 2 details the literature
review, which includes a plethora of information on energy and environmental
considerations around oating solar systems. Chapter 3 presents a detailed
methodology through which the present research project is conducted. The
methodology includes a description around the development of proposed com-
puter simulation model to assist with environmental impact assessment of
oating solar systems. Chapter 4 presents experimental validation results for
three planned oating solar systems at wine farms in the Western Cape wine
region where the developed environmental model is applied in real-world syn-
thesis experiments. The dissertation conclusions will be summarized with an
outline on the directions for future research in Chapter 5.
2. Literature Review
2.1. Introduction
The previous chapter presented an introduction to the research project by de-
tailing the research problem statement, research questions, as well as the aims
and objectives of the study within the given geographical theory paradigm.
Within this geographical context, this chapter provides a literature review
that describes the geographical and energy context for wineries in the Cape
Winelands region. It discusses the potential of solar energy in the Cape
Winelands in relation to the energy needs on a typical Cape wine farm and
winery and discusses the environmental impact of oating solar systems on
wine farms. The review further evaluates literature that shows the potential
eects of over-water systems on the improvement of water quality and preserv-
ing water resources.
2.2. Solar energy in the wine making industry

From an environmental geography point of view, solar renewable energy sys-
tems have the ability to reduce the carbon footprint of a wine farm as the
result of more ecient energy production and the replacement of grid power
with energy from a clean renewable source (Hernandeza et al., 2014). Solar
energy is therefore seen as a potential solution for the wine producing industry
since it oers a combination of electrical energy and waste heat that can be
recovered from the solar power generation process (Connor, 2015). This study
is therefore particularly interested to analyse how solar energy can contribute
to the reduction of coal generated grid energy from a winery perspective.
It is generally estimated that the production of around one kilolitre of wine
requires around 710 MJ or around 2000 kWh of electrical energy (McCorkle,
2009). It is therefore important to consider the amount of energy available
from solar energy in order to be able to evaluate the potential impact of a
solar winery development project. In this regard, Figure 2.1 shows the So-
lar Atlas for the South African region. It highlights the fact that the Cape
Winelands region (CWR) has a fairly good solar availability and is a region
6
CHAPTER 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 7
with just above the country average annual harvesting potential (annual po-
tential around 1900 kWh/m2 ) (SolarGIS, 2012).
Figure 2.1: Solar Atlas for South Africa showing annual solar energy harvesting
potential of around 1900 kWh/m2 in the Cape Winelands region(SolarGIS, 2012).
In comparing the solar energy output of land-based solar power systems

with water based oating solar power system we see that oating solar systems
outperform land-based solar power systems. In oating solar photovoltaic
power systems, the photovoltaic module temperature parameter has a great
inuence on the system eciency and output energy (Choi et al., 2013). Water
and water moisture in the air keep the solar panels cooler and this makes it
more energy ecient in terms of sunlight to electricity conversion as shown in
Figure 2.2 (Ho et al., 2015).
Since the CO2 footprint is directly related to the power output of a oat-
ing solar system, Figure 2.2 essentially shows that the positive environmental
impact of the oating photovoltaic panels can be enhanced by cooling the so-
lar panels with spray water. The next section describes literature around the
environmental impact of renewable energy systems.
2.3. Environmental impact of solar systems

South Africa announced its plans towards a reduction target of 34% on the
projected 2020 emissions under the Kyoto protocol (James and Shachar, 2015).
Figure 2.2: Comparison between a oating solar and land based photovoltaic sys-
tem for in terms of the daily average generation capacity to show the superiority of
a oating solar system for both (a) 100 kW and (b) 500 kW capacities (Choi, 2014).
Carbon taxation protocol and accounting requirements thus require wineries

and other businesses to adapt this target in their operational strategies. In
general, greenhouse gasses such as Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ), Methane (CH4 ),
Nitrous Oxide (N2 0) and Hydrouorocarbons (HFCs) are the most common
gasses that cause the depletion of the Ozone (greenhouse eect). Thus, by
reducing CO2 carbon emissions, winefarms in the Cape Winelands can help
ght the impact of global warming and climate change.
In terms of the winery industry environmental impact contributors, we can
consider analyses made in carbon disclosure reports. In this regard, carbon
reporting for the South African wine industry shows some interesting trends
(James and Shachar, 2015). Figure 2.3 shows a comparison of the CO2 emis-
sions from various winery activities in terms of their relative contributions to
the overall winery CO2 footprint. The graph shows that electricity is by far
the biggest contributor to winery carbon emissions, meaning a reduction in the
energy demand of a winery would lead to a reduction in its carbon footprint.
Figure 2.3 emphasises the fact that electricity makes up approximate 60%
of the carbon footprint of a wine farm. It also emphasises the fact that methods
should be implemented to reduce energy consumption on the farms and in the
winery, thus having an important eect on the 60% portion of the wine farm
carbon footprint (James and Shachar, 2015). Floating solar solutions therefore
show huge potential in helping to reduce the carbon footprint of a winery. This
positive carbon footprint reduction is more true for a oating solar system
compared to land-based solar since there is increased energy production due
to the water/temperature cooling of the solar panels. This will go a long way
towards supporting sustainable wine farming.
Figure 2.3: Elements of carbon footprint contributions on a typical Cape Winelands

wine farm (James and Shachar, 2015).
2.4. Potential impact on water resources

In his book, Grape Grower's Handbook, Goldhammer emphasises water quality
as one of the most important risk aspects of winemaking (Goldammer, 2013).
In the production cycle, proper water quality is essential to successful grape
growing as poor quality of irrigation water can aect grapevine growth and can
quickly result in the gradual degradation of the health of the winery ecosystem.
To highlight the importance of the potential cooling eects of oating solar
systems one can consider equivalences is in the wine making industry. For
example, the rm Evaporation Control Systems developed a oating cover
specically for evaporation control in vineyards. Figure 2.4 shows an example
of it's VapCap trenched oating solar cover installed over an existing irrigation
pond (Evaporation Control Systems, 2003).
Figure 2.4: Floating cover for evaporation control at a Barrossa Valley vineyard
irrigation pond (Evaporation Control Systems, 2003).
In terms of agricultural water sustainability and climate change mitigation

risks (Collier et al., 2008), any oating solar system installed over a vineyard
irrigation pond would screen the water from the sunlight and heat similar to
the VapCap cover in Figure 2.4. The oating solar system would thus oer
water preservation benets similar to that of an evaporation control cover.
In summary, oating solar energy technology not only creates new develop-
ment opportunities, it also shows potential to replace grid power with energy
from a renewable source, reduces greenhouse gases in terms of energy savings,
increases energy independence, creates new job opportunities, and improves
water quality (through algal growth control) (Hernandeza et al., 2014).
2.5. International oating solar applications

One of the most successful oating solar installations is on the wine farm Far-
Niente by a USA Napa Valley wine producer. In striving to become one of the
rst net-zero electricity wine producers, the owners were reluctant to pull out
valuable vines from their vineyards to create space for a solar system instal-
lation. They realised that the solar cells can be placed on a oating platform
over a vineyard irrigation pond to save agricultural land. They further realised
that the oating solar system provides an added advantage in that shadows
cast by the solar system on the irrigation pond water signicantly reduced
water evaporation. Over time, the farm owners and installers noticed that the
over-water solar installation structure helped to limit algal growth and helped
to cool the solar cells, which improved the solar energy harvesting eciency
of the solar energy system (Sahu et al., 2016).
In South Africa, Eskom is largely dependent on coal-based energy gener-
ation systems (Letete et al., 2010). This means water and energy resources
have an intricate link in South Africa as large amounts of water are consumed
during the production of energy production. At the same time, large amounts
of carbon pollutant energy are used in South Africa in the conveyance, extrac-
tion, distribution and treatment of water, meaning water saved in-turn implies
more energy saved at an improved environmental impact for the country as a
whole.
One of the main motivations for using oating photovoltaic panels was
the land premium, especially for agricultural sites where the land was more
valuable for growth of the crops (in these cases, grapes because the sites were
wineries). The PV panels of the existing projects are mounted on a rigid
pontoon structure and vary between horizontal and tilted installations. Lee
et.al (2014) presented his experimental results following the development of a
3.68 kW oating solar energy system that consist of around 16 photovoltaic
panels. Protruded composite material sections were used to construct the
oating platform structure using light-weight durable materials. Compared to
conventional structural material for the oating solar platform, this material
Figure 2.5: Floating photovoltaic projects international development time-line

(Trapani and Santafe, 2015).
proved to be valuable in terms of corrosion-resistance, while the tensile and

shear tests showed that the platform exhibited considerable stress resistance
(Lee et al., 2014).
Trapani and Santafe (2015) presented a broad overview of oating solar
projects that have been installed over-water reservoirs such as irrigation ponds
and small lakes as illustrated in Figure 2.5. Most of these installations gen-
erally conrm the positive environmental eects of oating solar system in
terms of grid energy reduction and associated carbon footprint implications
and improvement in water quality and preserving water resources.
2.6. Summary
This chapter provides a literature review that describes the geographical and
energy context for wineries in the Cape Winelands region. It discusses the
potential of solar energy in the CWR in relation to the energy needs on a
typical Cape wine farm and winery and discusses the environmental impact of
oating solar systems on wine farms. The review shows that the distribution
of solar energy over the Cape Winelands region makes it an ideal to harvest
this solar renewable energy resource for agricultural wine farming purposes.
The reviews describes past and present research on oating solar systems,
particularly around the impact oating solar may have in terms of the energy
balance and environmental impact on the wine farm and winery. The review
ends o with examples where oating solar systems have been successfully
installed internationally, and where certain environmental impact eects have
been conrmed by geographers and scientists in practice.
3. Research Methodology
3.1. Introduction
The previous chapter presented a literature review on water-based oating so-
lar systems and the impact these systems may have in terms of the energy
balance and environmental impact at a winery or wine farm. This chapter
details the research methodology for performing critical aspects of an envi-
ronmental impact assessment for any proposed oating solar renewable energy
system. It describes the proposed computer simulation model developed to
assist the EIA practitioner in determining the extent to which a oating solar
system will be able to meet certain desired environmental qualication criteria.
It also describes the eldwork aspects of the methodology formulated in this
study.
3.2. Research study methodology

The present physical geographical research is concerned with studying the ge-
ographical implications of photovoltaic energy transitions in the Western Cape
from an energy geography perspective. From an environmental management
point of view, the need therefore exists to understand and quantify environ-
mental impact associated with oating solar systems from an energy geography
perspective (Solomon et al., 2003).
This section discusses the structure of the discussion around the proposed
research methodology for this study, while the next section deals with the
associated research ethics considerations. The proposed research methodology
is organised and described in four sub-sections, which include the steps of
describing the:
Research design
Research method
Energy and environmental simulation modelling

Environmental model eldwork input parameters
13
CHAPTER 3. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 14
Data collection process
Data gathering, sampling and population

Experimental procedures
Data processing and analysis techniques
Each of these discussion items deals with a critical aspect of the operational
part of the present research project and is therefore dened and described in
more detail in each of the sub-sections below.
3.2.1. Research design

Within the context of the previous chapters, the focus of the present geograph-
ical research and study is on developing a method and means to help wine
farmers in the Cape Winelands region to analyse and resolve present-day en-
vironmental sustainability and funding application/approval challenges. The
overall aim of this research project is therefore on developing environmental
models and computer software that would help create an enabling environment
for studying the future anticipated environmental impact of oating solar re-
newable energy technology in this region.
In their book, Methods in Human Geography, Flowerdew and Martin (2005)
explain that there is a broad variety of methodological approaches that can
form part of the research design process and that the selected methods should
speak to the problems and questions that prompted the research aim and
question. In the geographical eld of environmental management, this means
that the context in which the research is performed as well as the specic
requirements of the research question should be addressed in the philosophy
of the research design and method (Flowerdew and Martin, 2005).
In terms of research design for the present project, the process needs to
start with the given context that the viticulture and oenology industries in
the Cape Winelands region of South Africa require evidence of the impact
of newly implemented environmentally friendly wine making practices. Such
impact needs to be proven through a pragmatic and scientically founded re-
search methodology that would help wineries to overcome challenges from the
international community and international market forces (European Commis-
sion, 2008).
At the same time, the United States Technology Development Agency
(USTDA) launched an initiative in the Western Cape to fund projects that in-
volve the innovative use of the photovoltaic technology (USTDA, 2013). Envi-
ronmental approval procedures for such projects however require conrmation
around quantitatively measurable environmental benets before issuing the
relative licenses to support the physical roll-out of these solar energy systems
in the Cape Winelands region (Environmental Aairs, 2009).
This provides an excellent opportunity and research environment for the

present geographical research methodology to study and evaluate the potential
for the roll out of oating solar systems in the Cape Winelands region. Decision
making in the eld of agricultural environmental management generally calls
for a pragmatic research method that oers a strategy around the reliable
prediction of the dynamics of an ecosystem and the inuence of any proposed
new developments. Since qualitative data gathering supports environmental
management and impact studies (Department of Environmental Aairs, 2014),
the aim in this research would be to focus on quantitative data techniques that
seek the use of quantities and numbers to understand in terms of environmental
impact parameters.
3.2.2. Research method

According to Murcott (1997), there are certain key questions that need to
be answered when dealing with the design of a specic qualitative research
methodology. It should include a description on how the research will be
conducted, what the overall adopted strategy of the research will be, together
with a description of the design and techniques used and why this technique
is selected (Murcott, 1997). Since a research methodology should generally
support the process of understanding the impact, it requires the selection of
an analysis technique and application method through which research data
will be collected and processed.
For this purpose, the current research method proposes the development of
geographical computer based energy and environmental models to support the
EIA process in preparation for the anticipated roll-out of oating solar systems
at wine farms. An associated operational methodology is formulated to deter-
mine and compare the performance of any proposed oating solar installation
in the case-based scenario analysis experiments. Such desktop geographical
computer model analysis technique is thus developed with a practical applica-
tion angle, namely to assist the EIA practitioner to predict the environmental
impact of this type of renewable energy conguration before the system is ac-
tually rolled out over irrigation dams or reservoirs on wine farms at the given
location.
Since environmental impact assessment studies require investigation into
compliance with the EIA legislation and regulations (Department of Environ-
mental Aairs, 2014), the methodology in this research focus on the develop-
ment and application of a computer based model together with a supporting
research questionnaire. This means that, before going out into the eld to
collect data, the spatial-scientic human geographer follows a methodology
of building computer simulation models to eect mathematical type interro-
gations Cloke et al. (2004). A computer modelling and simulation (M&S)
method is particularly useful in predicting the environmental impact of a com-
plex environmental interactive system such as oating solar means.
From a physical geography point of view, the method for studying the geo-
graphical implications of photovoltaic energy transitions should also be dened
in terms of certain spatio-temporal parameters. In terms of spatio-temporal
cues, the present method intends to analyse and evaluate the physical environ-
mental impact of oating solar systems over yearly time parameters in terms of
quantitative parameters within the spatial boundaries of the Cape Winelands
region. The demarcated study area is limited to the Cape Winelands region,
a sub-region of the Western Cape highlighted in the map of Figure 3.1.
Figure 3.1: Demarcated study area of the Cape Winelands region (Jabeni, 2015).
A computer M&S analysis technique is helpful in the case of studying

environmental impact at sites in Figure 3.1, especially where new oating so-
lar installations may planned at specic wine farms in the Cape Winelands
region. The method and methodology will be able to rely on computer simu-
lations to predict the anticipated environmental impact over certain temporal
time horizon parameters, even before the oating solar systems are installed
in the eld (Acevedo, 2012). The time-sensitive computer model used jointly
with eldwork research questionnaires are thus deployed in a quantitative re-
search methodology that is able to assist with environmental and sustainability
analyses for oating solar in wineries. This experimental approach further pro-
vides a much greater control over the oating solar research environment since
certain model parameters and variables can be manipulated to observe their
eect on the energy output, environmental impact as well as on other variables
(Kothari, 2004).
3.2.2.1. Environmental simulation analysis technique

In the eld of environmental management, the M&S technique has long been
recognized as one of the scientic methods for research data collection (Fis-
chlin, 1990)(Frenkiel and Goodall, 1978). In general, M&S describes the pro-
cess of acquiring information, for example on how an environmental model
will behave with the addition of a oating solar system without actually im-
plementing the solar system in real life.
In this respect, Figure 3.2 depicts the block diagram for a proposed com-
puter simulation model to be used in preparation for data collection in ac-
cordance with the present methodology. The proposed model of Figure 3.2
characterizes the prole of the oating solar system behaviour at a particular
location and is therefore able to predict the energy output and environmental
impact based on future solar and weather data predictions and patterns.
SolarM odel
kWs (t)
Water (kg)
Coal (kg)
F loatovoltaic kWe (t) Environmental Ash (kg)
M odel M odel SO2 (kg)
NOx (kg)
CO2 (kg)
kWe (t)
Figure 3.2: Proposed simulation model for data capturing in oatovoltaic environ-
mental impact assessment studies for wineries in the Cape Winelands.
Given the spatial aspects of the geographical simulation in Figure 3.1, the
temporal aspects of the EIA simulation study also need to be dened. In
this respect, the simulation time increments together with time horizon of the
analysis provide the full set of spatio-temporal parameters required to conduct
the environmental analysis. Therefore, in the selection of the simulation time
interval of this energy and environmental geography analysis, the energy model
in Figure 3.2 runs the energy simulation in time increments of seconds and
integrates the output data over time intervals of hours, days and months. This
allows for environmental model outputs in terms of hours, days and months and
enables experimental procedures to compare environmental impacts over the
required environmental time horizon. According to the proposed methodology,
the model in Figure 3.2 uses monthly and yearly energy output data as time
horizon in the experiments to determine the environmental impact of a oating

solar system over an annual timespan.
In terms of computer software, a number of models can be used to assess
the energy output performance of land-based solar systems (Sumathi et al.,
2015). Such solar system performance models are generally used to estimate
the power output of a photovoltaic system and associated components by cre-
ating a generation prole based on a specic geographic location and the solar
irradiance available for harvesting at that location. Such solar models can be
adapted to model the output of oating solar systems.
In the present study, the Solar Model block in the layout of Figure 3.2
employs the Meteonorm location based solar irradiation and weather data sets
associated with the location for each wine farm irrigation pond to determine
the oating solar energy outputs. The Meteonorm datasets relates to the
NREL Meteonorm medium resolution TMY datasets, which oers a 10 km
grid solar/weather data resolution (Meteonorm, 2016). In the model of Figure
3.2, the online Meteonorm interface is used to obtain the solar energy irradi-
ation, forecasted weather patterns and climate conditions for the wine farm
irrigation pond GPS location (Remund, 2015). This data enables the oato-
voltaic photovoltaic model block in Figure 3.2 to compute the energy outputs
through oating solar simulations over the above mentioned time frames.
The Environmental Model in Figure 3.2 subsequently employs the oato-
voltaic energy model outputs to determine the environmental impact param-
eters. In the present research, this aspect of the model is uniquely developed
to study the basic environmental impact assessment aspects of oating solar
systems in terms of Eskom grid power substitution. By employing environ-
mental model characteristics developed by Eskom, the environmental model
in Figure 3.2 is thus able to determine the anticipated environmental impacts
of a proposed oating solar system in terms of kilogram/litres of Water saved,
kilogram Coal savings, kilogram of coal Ash reduced, kilogram of SO2 reduced
(Sulphur dioxide reduction), kilogram of NOx reduced (Nitrogen oxides reduc-
tion), kilogram of CO2 reduced (carbon footprint reduction) (Eskom, 2014b ).
The use of technical and environmental data in an integrated energy and
environmental computer software model described above can support most
phases and aspects of environmental decision making (Paegelow and Camacho-
Olmedo, 2008). Provided that certain contextual eldwork parameters be
provided, the model can be used in the analysis and evaluation of measurable
environmental impact factors that may result from the roll-out of oating solar
systems on particular farms in the Cape Winelands region.
3.2.2.2. Simulation model input eldwork parameters

Having developed the geographical computer based environmental model to
support the EIA process, the anticipated roll-out of oating solar systems at
wine farms can be studied. In terms of the EIA process, aspects such as
the location of the solar installation activity and the anticipated technology
conguration are required to determine the environmental impacts as part of
an application for environmental authorisation.
The energy and environmental model in Figure 3.2 therefore calls for eld-
work data as input parameters before it can determine the energy and envi-
ronmental performance at each proposed installation site. The specic input
parameters required from eld work respondents and interviews include as-
pects such as:
GPS coordinates of the wine farm and irrigation pond/dam
Square meter area of the proposed oating solar installation
Proposed oating solar installation type and orientation
Preferred oating solar technology conguration
Present energy consumption of the wine farm and winery process
In order to dene the simulation model inputs, a research questionnaire

is developed to acquire the relevant geographical site data in the list above
from the various wine farms. In this way, the parameter input values of the
proposed model can obtained with the active input of the project owners or
the respective winery energy managers. The parameter values of the proposed
model can further be adjusted to analyse oating parameter sensitivity, which
in turn can help to enhance the solar conguration and sustainability outcomes
of the model and system to best suit the environmental objectives of the project
owners or energy managers.
In the above process, qualitative data collection through research question-
naires by an EIA practitioner allows for interactive interviews where respon-
dents are interviewed one or more times to follow up on particular issues related
to the proposed oating solar installation. The eldwork research questions
are aimed at collecting specic parameters within the scope dened above,
while follow up interviews or email/telephonic interactions would also clarify
concepts or check the reliability of data to increase the credibility of the input
data or ndings in the EIA study preparation.
With the above list of input parameters determined through eldwork,
the implemented computer simulation model in Figure 3.2 can be applied to
determine environmental impact at wine farms in the Cape Winelands where
such oating solar systems are planned to be installed in future. This procedure
is described in the data collection process of the next section.
3.2.3. The data collection process

In the present research project, the model in Figure 3.2 is used as part of
a quantitative data gathering technique that will be able to determine the
amount of energy that will be generated by a oating solar system as well as

the associated environmental impact of the system. In the proposed research
method, scenario analysis forms part of the methodology formulated in this
study to accomplish quantitative data gathering, sampling and population
(Wainwright and Mulligan, 2012).
3.2.3.1. Data gathering, sampling and population

The governing philosophy behind the proposed method is that this M&S com-
puter simulation model denes a synthesis environment that integrates the
oating solar power and environmental simulated systems. This model allows
for the collection of eldwork data as input to the model. During this sim-
ulation analysis phase the model is used to perform data sampling and data
analysis within a computer modelling environment that simulates the real life
implementation of a oating solar system on any wine farm at any location
within the Cape Winelands region. Based on this input data, the computer
simulation model produces sampled energy and environmental data at certain
time increments over the course of a one year period. This output data repre-
sents the annual environmental impact of the proposed oating solar system
at the given location in the Cape Winelands region.
In line with this practical EIA process, many of the research questions
would normally be completed by an EIA Ocer (the researcher), together with
supplemental responses from the farmer/person responsible for the planned
project due-diligence and assessment oversight (wine farmer or winery energy
manager). To assist the EIA practitioner, the research questionnaire is formu-
lated around the basis of normal EIA framework requirements (Department of
Environmental Aairs, 2014). A copy of the research questionnaire is attached
in Appendix A. In this example, the questionnaire is collated to illustrate the
set of responses that will serve as input parameters to the computer simulation
model.
In terms of completing the research questionnaires, some consideration
should be given to oating solar system conguration uniformity. To ensure
that a comparative analysis can me made during experimentation on three dif-
ferent wine farm sites, a certain level of consistency would be required in the
technical system options in order to logically compare the outputs for the three
dierent application sites. It will therefore be dicult to follow a methodol-
ogy where the researcher leaves the individual farmers to complete all of the
questions in the questionnaire without researcher/EIA practitioner guidance.
Some of the research questions would thus be reserved for completion by the
EIA expert/advisor in order to make pre-selections that would enable fair com-
parisons between the predictions of the energy generation and environmental
impacts for the three dierent sites. These options are described for each
research experiment in the next chapter.
Once the above data is available, the computer model in Figure 3.2 used as
a quantitative data gathering technique, will not only be able to determine the
amount of energy that will be generated by any proposed oating solar system,
but will also be able to determine if this solar generated power will be sucient
to energize certain activities at the wine farm. Within the context of the above
environmental modelling and simulation technique, the data population will be
sampled and gathered from the output parameters of the M & S model using
a computer system. Starting with the amount of energy generated by oating
solar panels, we will use this data output samples from the M & S model to
determine and sample the amount of energy generated by the oating solar
system per hour, day, month and year at that location.
In this way, the geographical computer based energy and environmental
model outputs can be used to support the EIA process in preparation for the
anticipated roll-out of oating solar systems at wine farms. The experimental
procedure to accomplish this process at any given winery location is described
in the next section.
3.2.3.2. Experimental procedure

In terms of the experimental method proposed in this study, the rst step
is to complete the research questionnaires and eldwork interviews for each
of the wine farms. With the eld data collected, the processed questionnaire
responses can serve as input parameters to the computer simulation model
described in Section 3.2. The second step of the experiment is to determine the
potential amount of power that can be harvested from the sun and generated by
each the oating solar system at each wine farm site. The third experimental
step is to determine the environmental impact factors associated with the
predicted annual energy outputs for each oating solar system from the second
cycle of the computer simulation model described in Figure 3.2. This is because
the annual energy levels relate directly to certain environmental impact factors
for each wine farm site when its particular oating solar system is used to
substitute Eskom grid power.
The energy and environmental simulation model described in the research
methodology of Section 3.2.2.1 operates as a two-cycle process. The model
and process is depicted in Figure 3.2. In the rst computer simulation cy-
cle, the energy simulation model employs the questionnaire collected site data
(GPS location, square meter water space, energy conversion equipment, etc.)
to compute the anticipated energy outputs for each oating solar system. The
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) location sensitive Meteonorm
datasets are used by the model to forecast the solar irradiation, weather pat-
terns and climatic conditions for each of the three wine farm sites (Meteonorm,
2016). The simulated energy output data represents the monthly and annual
solar energy harvested by the oating solar system at each of the three irriga-
tion pond locations.
In the second computer simulation cycle, the environmental simulation

model determines the environmental impact saving factors from the monthly
energy model outputs. This aspect of the simulation model employs the Eskom
environmental impact model conguration parameters to determine the envi-
ronmental impact parameters with associated environmental impact factors
(Eskom, 2014a ). These environmental impact factors can then be analysed in
terms of the water-energy-land-food (WELF) nexus parameters, upon which
environmental due-diligence decisions around the oating solar systems for the
wine farms and wineries can be based (Simonovi, 2012).
3.2.4. Data processing and analysis

The objective with the data processing and analysis activity in this research is
thus to use the data sampled and collected during the case based experimental
phase described in the previous section with the aim to quantify these envi-
ronmental eects for any hypothetical oating solar system installation on a
wine farm or at a winery. On the topic of simulation data analysis, Chandler
and Scott (2011) state that "the collected data can be used to understand and
quantify the environmental changes, as aspect that is fundamental through-
out the environmental sciences. This might involve describing past variation,
understanding the mechanisms underlying observed changes" (Chandler and
Scott, 2011).
In the experimental process described above, the study engages a case-
based scenario analysis approach as method and means to compare the en-
vironmental due-diligence and environmental impact of three wine farms in
the Cape Winelands region. Three wine farms will be selected in such a way
that their locations provide spatial diversity in terms of their geographical loca-
tions, preferably widespread locations should be selected to force the computer
model to employ weather pattern data for dierent geographical locations. The
GPS location and physical size of the water body as potential oating solar
installation sites are then processed in the method described above.
For this reason the qualitative data processing and analysis involve the
process to reduce and make sense of the information in order to shed light
on the research question described in the rst chapter. This process takes
the descriptive information output by the model in Figure 3.2 and oers an
explanation or interpretation in terms of the research aims and objectives
dened the the rst chapter of this dissertation. The output environmental
impact data will be presented in the form of gures, tables and graphs in
a manner that supports the EIA process. In this way the model helps to
achieve the overall objective of the study by collecting eldwork data and
then to process this data in a manner that enable the running the computer
simulation model in Figure 3.2.
The specic aim of the analysis is thus to use the data in evaluation of
measurable environmental impact factors that may result from the roll-out of
oating solar systems on a particular farm in the Cape Winelands region. In

this regard, the water, energy, land and food (WELF) nexus concept will be
used as a framework in studying and comparing viticulture/oenology sustain-
ability scenarios in terms of food production, land-, energy- and water-resource
interactions and optimization (Ringler et al., 2013). Such measurable nexus
parameters need to be incorporated into geographical environmental analy-
sis evaluation of oating solar energy systems on wine farms in the Cape
Winelands region. For this reason, the model processes the eldwork input
data in a way that is able to quantify the environmental impact outputs that
in turn is able to contribute to the determination of the likely WELF nexus
impacts in accordance with the relevant EIA directives.
3.3. Research ethics considerations

Ethical considerations require that the research and eldwork must be sensitive
and respectful of research participants and their basic human rights. In this
respect, the present study endorses the Ethical Codes of the University of
South Africa (Unisa, 2007). Under this code, data collection and analysis will
take place within the appropriate guidelines, while all results will be reported
including any negative ndings. This code further requires that participants
or respondents and their participation should be voluntary by nature. The
privacy of every individual will be respected, while any participant have the
right to withdraw at any time. Furthermore, no nancial benets or conicts
of interest will materially aect the outcome of the investigation or jeopardise
the name of the University.
3.4. Summary
In environmental sciences and environmental management, there exists a need
to understand and quantify environmental impact associated with oating so-
lar systems. The research methodology in this chapter supports this process
of understanding and involves the selection of the analysis techniques through
which research data will be collected and processed. This chapter proposed a
M&S technique as a means to model the dynamics of the oating solar sys-
tem and environmental impact associated with the roll out of oating solar
systems. The governing philosophy behind the proposed method is that this
M&S computer simulation model denes a synthesis environment that inte-
grates the oating solar power and environmental simulated systems. This
model allows for the collection of eldwork data as input to the model. Dur-
ing this simulation analysis phase the model is used to perform data sampling
and data analysis within a computer modelling environment that simulates
the real life roll out of a oating solar system on any wine farm at any location
within the Cape Winelands region. Based on this input data, the proposed
computer simulation model produces sampled energy and environmental data
at certain time increments over the course of a one year period. This output
data represents the annual environmental impact of the proposed oating solar
system at the given location in the Cape Winelands region.
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Introduction
In accordance with the geographical methodology described in the previous
chapter, the environmental analysis and environmental impact assessment for
any proposed or hypothetical oating solar renewable system can now be con-
ducted. In the experiments conducted in this chapter, the aim is to determine
the extent to which a particular oating solar conguration at one or more wine
farms in the Western Cape wine region is able to meet desired environmental
due-diligence or environmental qualication criteria.
4.2. Experimental site selection

In this experimental phase, a case-based scenario analysis approach is used
to gain information about the potential oating solar system's environmental
tness with respect to a set of desired environmental quality attributes required
by the owners of the wine farms and winery. Three experimental wine farms
are subsequently selected in the Cape Winelands to serve as experimental cases
in an environmental case-based scenario analysis.
The selection of the three sites are based on the premise that environmen-
tal impact comparisons between dierent geographical sites should preferably
include a fair amount of spatial diversity. The three wine farms selected in the
Cape Winelands region include the Van Loveren wine farm in the Breederiver
district, the Nederburg wine farm in the Drakenstein district and the Spier
Wine Estate in the Boland district.
In line with this practical EIA process, many of the research questions
would normally be completed by an EIA Ocer (the researcher), together with
supplemental responses from the farmer/person responsible for the planned
project due-diligence and assessment oversight (wine farmer or winery energy
manager). To assist the EIA practitioner, the research questionnaire is formu-
lated around the basis of normal EIA framework requirements (Department of
Environmental Aairs, 2014). A copy of the research questionnaire is attached
in Appendix A. In this example, the questionnaire is collated to illustrate the
25
CHAPTER 4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 26
set of responses that will serve as input parameters to the computer simulation
model.
In order to perform a fair comparative environmental analysis for oating
solar systems at the three wine farm sites, a certain level of consistency is
required. This is because the power output for each experimental site/system
is primarily a function of climatic conditions (solar irradiation/weather pat-
terns) and secondarily of power conditioning equipment. A logical approach
is to neutralise the eects of secondary power conversion technology variabil-
ity (power conditioning, solar panel types, electrical interconnections, energy
storage, etc.) in the oatovoltaic model of Figure 3.2. This is accomplished
by using pre-set values for power conditioning related responses in each of
the research questionnaires. Such normalisation steps help to ensure a fairer
comparison between the three experimental sites as the energy outputs and
environmental impacts then show diversity only as a result of dierences in
pond/solar size and climatic conditions.
4.3. Experimental results for wine farm sites

In Section 4.3, the experimental evaluations for the three selected wine farm
sites in the Cape Winelands are conducted in terms of the research method-
ology presented in the previous chapter. These show the results for the deter-
mined energy outputs and environmental impacts for the dierent sites and
relates the environmental impact factors to the WELF impact parameters for
each of the three winery sites.
4.3.1. Results for Van Loveren winery (Breederiver)

The goal of this rst experiment is to determine the energy and environmental
model outputs for a planned oating solar powerplant to be installed at a given
geographic location on the Van Loveren wine farm. This wine farm is located
around the Robertson area in the Breederiver district of the Western Cape
wine region. For this planned oating solar installation at Van Loveren, the
geographical and oating solar specications are obtained from the research
questionnaire data listed in Table 4.1.
The model specication input parameter set in Table 4.1 is obtained from
the eldwork and research questionnaire (questionnaire data recorded in Ap-
pendix B). In this experiment, Table 4.1 details the model parameters in terms
of GPS location of the area where the proposed oatovoltaic system is planned
to be installed on the water body surface of one of the Van Loveren Winery
irrigation dams. The table further details the irrigation pond/dam size (m2 ),
the planned oating solar installation size (m2 ), the percentage pond/dam to
be covered and the optimal solar panel inclination angle (degrees) for that loca-
tion. The solar irradiation and weather data repository used in the simulation
Table 4.1: Van Loveren energy and environmental model input parameters.
Model Parameters
Global positioning location (h:m.s) 33 52.502 S, 20 00.153 E

Irrigation pond/dam size (m2 ) 25000
Floating Solar installation size (m2 ) 20580
Percentage pond/dam covered (%) 82.32
Floating solar inclination angle (◦ ) 32
Solar & Weather data (repository) NREL TMY
model for the envisaged Van Loveren oating solar irrigation pond installation
is also recorded in the table.
4.3.1.1. Van Loveren wine farm: Energy analysis

By using the model parameters in Table 4.1, the energy outputs for an antic-
ipated oating solar system can be determined for Van Loveren through the
computer simulation software described in Section 3.2.2.1 of this dissertation.
Figure 4.1 shows the energy model outputs for each of the twelve months of
the year for the experimentally determined monthly energy outputs for the
proposed photovoltaic system at the geographical location of the Van Loveren
wine farm. The solar irradiation and weather data repository used in the com-
puter simulation is downloaded from the Meteonorm database. From this, the
specic results for the Van Loveren oating solar installation in Figure 4.1 are
computed using the Meteonorm NREL TMY 10 km grid matrix resolution
dataset for the Robertson area (Meteonorm, 2016).
With the anticipated monthly energy model outputs determined for the
selected irrigation pond and proposed oating photovoltaic system on the Van
Loveren wine farm, the second cycle of the model can be engaged to compute
the environmental model outputs. These environmental model outputs are
determined in the next section and are required for completing the environ-
mental impact assessment scorecard and scoping study report for the proposed
winery development project on each of the wine farms.
4.3.1.2. Van Loveren wine farm: Environmental analysis

The environmental impact performance in substituting Eskom grid power in
grid-connected winery energy systems with clean energy from oatovoltaic
solar energy generation can now be determined from the environmental simu-
lation model. Table 4.2 shows the results for the carbon footprint analysis and
environmental impact equivalents for the Eskom grid power replaced by energy
from the proposed oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm. The
table shows the values computed in accordance with the Eskom environmental
Van Loveren Energy Model Outputs
100
Power (kWh)
50
0
r
ay
g
p
n
b
ar
n
l
t
v
c
Ju
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Se
No
Ja
Fe
Ju
M
Months
Figure 4.1: Experimentally determined monthly energy outputs for the proposed
oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm (Breederiver).
model conguration and parameters as described in the research methodology

(Section 3.2) of this study.
Table 4.2: Environmental model output values for proposed oatovoltaic system
at the Van Loveren wine farm.
Environmental Impacts
Factor /kWh kWh's Total/Year
Liters Water Saved 1.37 1 165 000 1 596 050

Kg. Coal Savings 0.54 1 165 000 629 100
Ash Reduced in kg. 0.155 1 165 000 180 575
SO2 in kg. 0.793 1 165 000 923 845
NOx in kg. 0.419 1 165 000 488 135
CO2 in kg. 0.99 1 165 000 1 153 350
Figure 4.2 graphically shows the results for the carbon footprint analysis
and environmental impact equivalents for the Eskom grid power that can be
replaced by the proposed oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm.
The data in Figure 4.1 and Figure 4.2 can be used in a feasibility analy-
sis for installing a oatovoltaic solar system at the Van Loveren wine farm.
The data will also be valuable when completing essential parts of the envi-
ronmental impact analysis (EIA) scorecard. This EIA documentation must
be submitted to acquire necessary environmental approval before installation
of the oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm (SA Government,
1998).
Van Loveren Environmental Model Outputs
1,500
Volume (tonnes)
1,000
500
0
er
al
h
2
2
CO
SO
NO
As
Co
at
W
Figure 4.2: Anticipated environmental impact factor benets for the proposed
oatovoltaic system at the Van Loveren wine farm in the Breederiver district.
4.3.2. Results for Nederburg winery (Drakenstein)

As with the previous experiment, the goal of the second experiment is to deter-
mine the energy and environmental model outputs for a planned oating solar
powerplant to be installed at a given geographic location on the Nederburg
wine farm. This wine farm is located around the Paarl area in the Draken-
stein district of the Western Cape wine region. The computer model is used
to determine the energy and environmental model outputs. For this planned
oating solar installation at Nederburg, the geographical and oating solar
specications are obtained from the research questionnaire data listed in Ta-
ble 4.3.
Table 4.3: Nederburg energy and environmental model input parameters.
Model Parameters

The model specication input parameter set in Table 4.3 is obtained from
the eldwork and research questionnaire (questionnaire data recorded in Ap-
pendix B). Table 4.3 details the model parameters in terms of GPS location
of the area where the proposed oatovoltaic system is planned to be installed

on the water body surface of one of the Nederburg Winery irrigation dams. It
further details the irrigation pond/dam size (m2 ), the planned oating solar
installation size (m2 ), the percentage pond/dam to be covered and the optimal
solar panel inclination angle (degrees) for that location. The solar irradiation
and weather data repository used in the simulation model for the envisaged
Nederburg oating solar irrigation pond installation is also recorded in the
table.
4.3.2.1. Nederburg wine farm: Energy analysis

By using the model parameters in Table 4.3, the energy outputs for an antici-
pated oating solar system can now be determined for Nederburg through the
computer simulation software described in Section 3.2.2.1 of this dissertation.
Figure 4.3 shows the energy model outputs for each of the twelve months of
the year for the experimentally determined monthly energy outputs for the
proposed photovoltaic system at the geographical location of the Nederburg
wine farm. The solar irradiation and weather data repository used in the com-
puter simulation is downloaded from the Meteonorm database. From this, the
specic results for the Nederburg oating solar installation in Figure 4.3 are
computed using the Meteonorm NREL TMY 10 km grid matrix resolution
dataset for the Paarl area (Meteonorm, 2016).
Nederburg Energy Model Outputs
100
Power (kWh)
50
0
r
ay
g
p
n
b
ar
n
l
t
v
c
Ju
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Se
No
Ja
Fe
Ju
M
Months
oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm (Drakenstein).
With the anticipated monthly energy model outputs determined for the se-
lected irrigation pond and proposed oating photovoltaic system on the Neder-
burg wine farm, the second cycle of the model can be engaged to compute the
environmental model outputs. These environmental model outputs are deter-
mined in the next section and are required for completing the environmental
impact assessment scorecard and scoping study report for the proposed winery
development project on each of the wine farms.
4.3.2.2. Nederburg wine farm: Environmental analysis

solar energy generation can now be determined from the environmental sim-
ulation model. Table 4.4 shows the results for the carbon footprint analysis
and environmental impact equivalents for the Eskom grid power replaced by
energy from the proposed oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm.
at the Nederburg wine farm.
Liters Water Saved 1.37 1 042 000 1 427 540

Kg. Coal Savings 0.54 1 042 000 562 680
Ash Reduced in kg. 0.155 1 042 000 161 510
SO2 in kg. 0.793 1 042 000 826 306
NOx in kg. 0.419 1 042 000 436 598
CO2 in kg. 0.99 1 042 000 1 031 580
Table 4.4 shows the values computed in accordance with the Eskom en-
vironmental model conguration and parameters as described in the research
methodology section of this study. Figure 4.4 graphically shows the results
for the carbon footprint analysis and environmental impact equivalents for the
Eskom grid power that can be substituted by the proposed oatovoltaic system
at the Nederburg wine farm.
The data in Figure 4.3 and Figure 4.4 can be used in a feasibility analysis for
installing a oatovoltaic solar system at the Nederburg wine farm. The data
will also be valuable when completing essential parts of the environmental
impact analysis (EIA) scorecard. This EIA documentation will have to be
submitted to acquire the necessary environmental approval before installation
of the oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm (SA Government, 1998).
4.3.3. Results for Spier winery (Boland)

As with the previous two experiments, the goal of the third experiment is to
determine the energy and environmental model outputs for a oating solar
Nederburg Environmental Model Outputs

1,500
Volume (tonnes)
1,000
500
0
er
al
h
2
2
CO
SO
NO
As
Co
at
W
oatovoltaic system at the Nederburg wine farm in the Drakenstein district.
powerplant planned to be installed at a given geographic location on the Spier

wine farm. This wine farm is located around the Stellenbosch area in the
Boland district of the Western Cape wine region. For this planned oating
solar installation at Spier, the geographical and oating solar specications
are obtained from the research questionnaire data listed in Table 4.5.
Table 4.5: Spier energy and environmental model input parameters.
Model Parameters

The model specication input parameter set in Table 4.5 is once again
obtained from the eldwork and research questionnaire (questionnaire data
recorded in Appendix B). In this experiment, Table 4.5 details the model pa-
rameters in terms of GPS location of the area where the proposed oatovoltaic
system is planned to be installed on the water body surface of one of the Spier
winery irrigation dams. It further details the irrigation pond/dam size (m2 ),
the planned oating solar installation size (m2 ), the percentage pond/dam to
be covered and the optimal solar panel inclination angle (degrees) for that
location. The solar irradiation and weather data repository used in the simu-
lation model for the envisaged Spier oating solar irrigation pond installation
is also recorded in the table.
4.3.3.1. Spier wine farm: Energy analysis

By using the model parameters in Table 4.5, the energy outputs for an antici-
pated oating solar system can be determined for Spier through the computer
simulation software described in Section 3.2.2.1 of this dissertation. Figure 4.5
shows the energy model outputs for each of the twelve months of the year
for the experimentally determined monthly energy outputs for the proposed
photovoltaic system at the geographical location of the Spier wine farm. The
solar irradiation and weather data repository used in the computer simulation
is downloaded from the Meteonorm database. From this, the specic results
for the Spier oating solar installation in Figure 4.5 are computed using the
Meteonorm NREL TMY 10 km grid matrix resolution dataset for the Stellen-
bosch area (Meteonorm, 2016).
Spier Energy Model Outputs
20
Power (kWh)
10
0
r
ay
g
p
n
b
ar
n
l
t
v
c
Ju
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Se
No
Ja
Fe
Ju
M
Months
oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm (Boland).
With the anticipated monthly energy model outputs determined for the se-
lected irrigation pond and proposed oating photovoltaic system on the Spier
wine farm, the second cycle of the model can be engaged to compute the
environmental model outputs. These environmental model outputs are deter-
mined in the next section and are required for completing the environmental
impact assessment scorecard and scoping study report for the proposed winery
development project on each of the wine farms.
4.3.3.2. Spier wine farm: Environmental analysis

solar energy generation can now be determined from the environmental sim-
ulation model. Table 4.6 shows the results for the carbon footprint analysis
and environmental impact equivalents for the Eskom grid power replaced by
energy from the proposed oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm. The
table shows the values computed in accordance with the Eskom environmental
model conguration and parameters as described in the research methodology
(Section 3.2) of this study.
at the Spier wine farm.
Liters Water Saved 1.37 204 300 279 891

Kg. Coal Savings 0.54 204 300 110 322
Ash Reduced in kg. 0.155 204 300 31 667
SO2 in kg. 0.793 204 300 162 010
NOx in kg. 0.419 204 300 85 602
CO2 in kg. 0.99 204 300 202 257
Figure 4.6 graphically shows the results for the carbon footprint analysis
and environmental impact equivalents for the Eskom grid power that can be
replaced by the proposed oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm.
The data in Figure 4.5 and Figure 4.6 can be used in a feasibility analysis
for installing oatovoltaic solar system. The data will also be valuable when
completing essential parts of the environmental impact analysis documenta-
tion to acquire the necessary environmental approval for installation of the
oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm (SA Government, 1998).
4.4. Discussion of results

This section discusses the experimental results in Section 4.3 from two dierent
perspectives. Section 4.4.1 discusses the results in context of WELF nexus
parameters, while Section 4.4.2 discusses the results in context of the research
problem, aims and objectives of this study.
Spier Environmental Model Outputs

300
Volume (tonnes)
200
100
0
er
al
h
2
2
CO
SO
NO
As
Co
at
W
oatovoltaic system at the Spier wine farm in the Boland district.
4.4.1. Results in context of WELF nexus parameters

In terms of the problem statement and aims/objectives of this research, the
goal is to incorporate WELF nexus parameters into the development of a fu-
ture integrated GIS-based environmental scorecard. The space optimization
and water preservation opportunities oered by oating solar energy systems
can be described more eectively in terms of WELF nexus parameters. In
terms of the experimental results in Section 4.3, all of the environmental im-
pact aspects should be viewed in the light of the WELF nexus parameters
as this can help to conceptualise the full environmental impact of oating so-
lar technology in winery environmental management plans. In terms of the
WELF nexus parameters, consideration should be given to the summary of
additional environmental benets listed in Table 4.7, where the "Land-use"
and "Food" production land-saving aspects of the WELF nexus parameters
are emphasised.
Table 4.7: Comparison of land-use savings and associated food production land-
preservation benets for envisaged oatovoltaic systems at the Van Loveren (Breed-
eriver), Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland) wine farms.
Food/Land Use Impacts
Factor Van Loveren Nederburg Spier
Solar land-use savings (m ) 2

20580 18383 3700
Food production land preserved (m2 ) 20580 18383 3700
Table 4.7 essentially illustrates that by installing water-based oating so-

lar systems on the irrigation water bodies of each of the wine farms, several
square meters of fertile agricultural land would be preserved for future food or
wine production activities. It further provides a clear indication of the land-
use/food production benets in terms of the WELF nexus parameters (Ringler
et al., 2013). It also emphasises the elimination of a potential need to uproot
historical vineyards to set up a land-based photovoltaic solar energy system in
the vineyards of each of the wineries considered in the experiments.
Also in terms of the aims and objectives of this research, some interest-
ing conclusions can be made when comparing the oatovoltaic system energy
outputs for the three wine farms the Cape Winelands region in terms of the
"Energy" aspect of the WELF nexus. Figure 4.7 shows a comparison between
the oatovoltaic system energy outputs for the three wine farms on a single
(combined results) graph. In comparing the experimentally determined energy
output results for three wine farms on this graph, it can be observed that the
energy outputs for the systems vary signicantly from site-to-site. These vari-
ations are largely attributed to the variations in oating solar system sizes for
each site, as well as variations in the solar irradiation and weather patterns for
each particular district in the Cape Winelands region.
Winery Energy Output Comparison
100 VanLoveren
Power (kWh)
Nederburg
Spier
50
0
r
ay
g
p
n
b
ar
n
l
t
v
c
Ju
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Se
No
Ja
Fe
Ju
M
Months
Figure 4.7: Comparison of energy model outputs for envisaged oatovoltaic systems
at the Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland) wine
farms.
In terms of the WELF nexus parameters, it is important that the winery

energy model outputs in Figure 4.7 be studied within the seasonal energy
consumption context summarised in Table 4.8.
Table 4.8: Comparison of the seasonal variations in energy consumption for the
wineries at the Van Loveren, Nederburg and Spier wine farms.
Winery Seasonal Energy Consumption
Consumption Van Loveren Nederburg Spier
Ave monthly consumption winter (kWh) 34 000 75 000 50 000

Ave monthly consumption summer (kWh) 120 000 320 000 200 000
The reason is that the environmental impact of a oating solar system with
a larger sun harvesting surface area would have larger inuence on the carbon
footprint of a winery. This is especially true in cases where a larger portion
the power generated by a oating solar system can be absorbed by the winery
in terms of its energy consumption patterns. It means that if the oating solar
output energy accounts for a large portion of the winery energy consumption,
then a smaller amount of coal-based Eskom grid-power is required to make up
the winery energy shortfall. Thus for each wine farm, a larger oating solar
output value in Figure 4.7, relative to the associated winery energy consump-
tion values in Table 4.8, would mean an increased carbon footprint reduction
and a resulting increased positive environmental impact.
From the energy model outputs for each of the wine farms, the oatovoltaic
system environmental impact outputs for the three individual wine farms are
determined in Section 4.3, and are combined in the display of Figure 4.8. The
bars in this graph reect the relative annual environmental impact savings
emanating from annual Eskom grid energy substitutions for proposed oato-
voltaic systems at the three wine farms. The results are shown in terms of
the simulation model outputs for water savings, coal savings, reduced coal ash
content, as well as the SO2 , NOx and CO2 emission savings. This graph en-
ables the EIA practitioner to make a comparative analysis between the relative
environmental impacts of the oating solar systems at the three wineries.
From an environmental impact perspective that looks at WELF nexus pa-
rameters, the "Water" aspect impacts on each of the wine farms in Figure 4.8
is of great importance. It shows for example that oating solar system instal-
lations at the three selected wine farms in the Cape Winelands can preserve
a signicant amount of water for South Africa, a saving potential for valuable
water resources amounting to around 3.2 million litres of water per annum. In
a drought stricken country such as South Africa, this equates to a signicant
amount of clean water that could be preserved for human and animal con-
sumption purposes. The water preservation gures listed in Figure 4.8 do not
yet include the local irrigation pond water evaporation savings eected by a
typical oating solar system. This aspect will be researched for future models,
since water evaporation savings rates can be as high as 70% of the normal
irrigation pond water evaporation rates (SPG Solar, 2010)
Since the energy outputs for each of the oating solar systems is derived as
a function of the square meter area of the irrigation pond size and potential
Winery Environmental Impact Comparison
1,500
Volume (tonnes) VanLoveren
Nederburg
1,000 Spier
500
0
er
al
h
2
2
CO
SO
NO
As
Co
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Figure 4.8: Comparison of environmental impacts with respect to environmental

GHG substances for envisaged oatovoltaic systems at the three wine farms Van
Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland).
oating solar array size to be installed, the energy and environmental impact
outputs for the three proposed oating solar systems can further be normalised
with respect to oating solar array sizes. The outcome of the area normalised
energy and environmental impact results in Figure 4.9 helps to emphasize the
eect of climatic and weather pattern variations amongst the three wine farm
districts for the same oating solar system array size.
Th normalised results illustrated in Figure 4.9 reect an area normalised
energy output comparison between the oatovoltaic energy model outputs for
three wine farms normalised with respect to system size. The deviations in
the monthly outputs for the oating solar system energy outputs on the three
wine farms are mainly slight deviations as a result of the solar irradiation and
weather pattern changes between the three Cape Winelands regions, Breed-
eriver, Drakenstein and Boland districts.
Similar to the normalised energy outputs for the system size normalization
in Figure 4.9, Figure 4.10 shows the resulting environmental impact savings
for comparative installation sizes from the oatovoltaic energy model outputs
for the three wine farms Van Loveren, Nederburg and Spier. The results show
slight environmental impact dierences between the environmental impacts
for the three oating solar systems. In this oating solar area normalised
representation, the resulting comparative dierences between the wine farms
are now only due to the varying temperature, solar irradiation and weather
pattern condition dierences amongst the three districts.
Having discussed the quantitative results for the energy and environmental
impacts experimentally determined in this study in terms of the WELF nexus
Area Normalised Winery Energy Output Comparison
Power (kWh) 6 VanLoveren

Nederburg
Spier
4
0
r
ay
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p
n
b
ar
n
l
t
v
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Ju
Ap
Oc
Au
De
Se
No
Ja
Fe
Ju
M
Months
Figure 4.9: Comparison of area normalised energy model outputs for envisaged
oatovoltaic systems at the Van Loveren (Breederiver), Nederburg (Drakenstein)
and Spier (Boland) wine farms.
Area Normalised Winery Environmental Impact Comparison
80
VanLoveren
Volume (tonnes)
Nederburg
60 Spier
40
20
0
er
al
h
2
2
CO
SO
NO
As
Co
at
W
Figure 4.10: Comparison of area normalised environmental impacts with respect to

environmental GHG substances for the three wine farms Van Loveren (Breederiver),
Nederburg (Drakenstein) and Spier (Boland).
parameters, the goal of the discussion in the next section is to evaluate the
value of the research in terms of meeting the aims and objectives of the study.
This is the topic of discussion in the next sub-section.
4.4.2. Results in context of study aims and objectives

The research problem of the present study is that the environmental model
outputs for water-based oating photovoltaic solar systems dier vastly from
land-based photovoltaic systems (Choi, 2014). For this reason the aims and
objectives of the present research study are formulated around the need to
determine the environmental impact of oating solar systems. The study ob-
jective is thus to develop a research methodology and desktop computer model
to evaluate the feasibility of using oating solar system at wine farms in the
Cape Winelands region, with specic reference to its associated environmental
impacts.
The aim of this research is therefore to use the proposed methodology
and model to determine the feasibility of using a oating solar system on a
typical wine farm in the Cape Winelands. The research objectives to support
the above aim are that the study needs to determine whether there is an
opportunity for the use of oating solar systems on wine farms in the Cape
Winelands region, to examine the anticipated eects of oating solar systems
on water systems in the Cape Winelands region, to evaluate if oating solar
systems can make a positive contribution toward sustainable wine farming in
the Cape Winelands region, to evaluate the impact of a oating solar system
on the carbon footprint of the farm in terms of energy savings and Eskom grid
power usage, and to determine the environmental impact balance of oating
solar systems in terms of the WELF nexus parameters.
The experimental results of this research have demonstrated that the model
and site analysis methodology proposed in this study can be successfully used
to meet all the research aims and are able to answer all of the research ques-
tions. Both the energy and environmental impact results, determined and
recorded in Figure 4.7 and Figure 4.8, can be practically used to help deter-
mine whether there are opportunities for the use of oating solar systems on
three wine farms in dierent districts of the Cape Winelands. The results in
Figure 4.7 and Figure 4.8 further reect the anticipated energy and environ-
mental behavioural eects of oating solar systems. It oers environmental
impact parameters that reect the way in which oating solar systems can
make a positive contribution toward sustainable wine farming as well as the
impact of a oating solar system on the carbon footprint of the farm. In
terms of the WELF nexus parameters, the discussion in Section 4.4.1 nally
demonstrates how the environmental impact balance of oating solar systems
on three wine farms in the Cape Winelands is described in terms of the WELF
nexus parameters.
4.5. Conclusion
The experimental results show that the aims and objectives of the research
study project have been achieved. The results further show that the study
succeeded in its goal to develop a geographical tool that can be used to help
evaluate the due-diligence and environmental impact of integrated oating
solar energy solutions in winery and agricultural production systems. The ex-
perimental results not only provide valuable information on anticipated future
environmental impact factors for planned oating solar systems on three wine
farms in the Cape winelands, but also contain essential information required to
complete ocial documentation for environmental approval on the installation
of oating solar systems in terms of the National Environmental Management
Act (Act 107 of 1998, as amended) (SA Government, 1998).
5. Summary and Conclusion
5.1. Summary
The rationale for this study is to support the implementation of emerging en-
ergy technology concepts in the wine making industry, especially oating solar
photovoltaic systems where there are certain environmental impact assessment
challenges that need to be overcome (Choi, 2014). Environmental legislation
requires that environmental due-diligence and environmental impact studies
be conducted for pre-approval before the installation of solar power systems
(Department of Environmental Aairs, 2014). Such studies are required to
provide quantitatively measurable evidence of potential environmental bene-
ts that would result from the physical roll-out of oating solar systems on
wine farms (Sharp Corporation, 2008).
Within this context, the focus of the present geographical research and
study is on developing a method and means to help wine farmers in the Cape
Winelands region to analyse and resolve present-day environmental sustain-
ability and funding application/approval challenges. The main aim of this re-
search project is to develop environmental models and computer software that
would help create an enabling environment to study environmental impact for
oating solar renewable energy technology. In this regard, the dissertation pro-
vides an overview of the research question within the context of the research
topic. It formulates research aims and objectives to address the challenges
around the development and practical use of computer desktop based environ-
mental impact assessments tools to analyse environmental aspects associated
with oating solar systems. It also oers a literature review to provide details
around the existing body of knowledge on environmental impact assessment in
the eld of oating solar technology. The research project and dissertation sub-
sequently describes and engages theoretical frameworks provided by the eld
of environmental geography to develop an environmental impact assessment
framework and computer simulation model to help simplify the environmental
impact analysis process. The study then formulates a research methodology to
detail the method of using the proposed computer simulation model to study
the geographical implications of energy transitions away from grid electricity
at wineries in the Western Cape of South Africa.
This environmental impact assessment analysis software and model pro-
42
CHAPTER 5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 43
posed in this research project are novel in that the model incorporates WELF
Nexus parameters that enable the oating solar environmental model to gen-
erate outputs around envisaged environmental impact benet aspects such as
land-use, food production land preservation, water savings and substance emis-
sions in the environmental impact analysis reports (Ho, 2011). The model is
further unique to oating solar technology and includes a two-step process to
determine both an energy output and environmental impact for any envisaged
oating solar system at any geographical location. It is further valuable in that
the model is able to report on the broader environmental impact in terms of en-
vironmental grid-substitution benets around replacing Eskom grid-electricity
with clean oating solar generated energy (water savings, coal/ash savings,
CO2 , SO2 and NOx emission savings, agricultural land preservation). These
are important aspects to consider in future EIA studies, due-diligence analyses
reports and development funding applications that underpins the planning and
implementation of oating solar system installations in the Cape Winelands
region.
In terms of the execution of the research project, an experimental eval-
uation of the proposed solution is conducted to determine the energy and
environmental impacts for dierent wine farm sites in the Cape Winelands. A
case-based scenario approach is followed wherein experiments are conducted in
accordance with the research methodology of the dissertation in scenario cases
for the Van Loveren wine farm (Breederivier district), the Nederburg wine farm
(Drakenstein district) and the Spier wine farm (Boland district). The experi-
ments and results are detailed in section 4.3, where the dissertation reports on
the environmental analysis and environmental impact assessment for each of
the proposed future oating solar renewable system installations. Section 4.4
discusses the summary and comparison of the results for the three proposed
oating solar installations, with specic reference to the WELF Nexus param-
eters related to the environmental impact for these wine farms in the Cape
Winelands region.
5.2. Conclusion
With the environmental impact and due-diligence information available for
the three case-based wine farm oating solar installation scenarios available,
the study is now in a position to evaluate the outcomes of the experiment in
this chapter with the research aims and objectives of this study. An analysis
conducted in terms of each of the research objectives of this study, is described
as follows:
To determine whether there is an opportunity for the use of oating solar
systems on wine farms in the Cape Winelands region.
To examine the anticipated eects of oating solar systems on water

systems in the Cape Winelands region.
To evaluate if oating solar systems can make a positive contribution
toward sustainable wine farming in the Cape Winelands region.
To evaluate the impact of a oating solar system on the carbon footprint
of the farm in terms of energy savings and Eskom grid power usage.
To determine the environmental impact balance of oating solar systems
in terms of Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) nexus parameters.
In terms of the rst objective of this research, the results have shown that
the model and site analysis methodology can be used to determine whether
there is an opportunity for the use of oating solar systems on wine farms
in the Cape Winelands region. Both the energy and environmental impact
results in Figure 4.7 and Figure 4.8 can be used to compare traditional land-
based photovoltaic model outputs with oating solar type water-based systems.
The WELF Nexus parameters described in section 4.4.1 with the results of
Figure 4.8 are particularly useful in proving the merit of oating solar systems
in terms of land-use preservation and other WELF related benets oered by
cooler and cleaner oating solar systems when compared to hot and dusty
land-based solar energy systems.
In terms of the second objective of this research, the model, methodology
and results can certainly be used to examine the anticipated eects of oating
solar systems on water systems in the Cape Winelands region. The use of the
model and methodology in this regard have been proven in section 4.3, where it
is used to determine the energy and environmental impact for three wine farm
sites, namely Van Loveren, Nederburg and Spier. This is also illustrated in
the results listed in Figure 4.7, where the anticipated energy eects of oating
solar systems are illustrated together with the environmental impact eects in
Figure 4.8.
In terms of the third objective of this research, the model, methodology
and results can further be used to evaluate if oating solar systems can make a
positive contribution toward sustainable wine farming in the Cape Winelands
region. In this regard, Figure 4.8 provides a direct bearing on the positive
environmental eect and sustainable ecological aspects associated with the
wine farm production systems. Ecological sustainability in the long run sup-
ports brand-building and increases the marketability of South African wines
produced at eco-friendly wineries in the international markets (European Com-
mission, 2008).
In terms of the fourth objective of this research, the model and methodology
have been used to evaluate the impact of a oating solar system on the carbon
footprint of the farm in terms of energy savings and Eskom grid power usage.
The carbon footprint analysis impacts for each of the three wine farms are
illustrated and compared on the graph in Figure 4.8, while the exact carbon
footprint CO2 impact gures for each of the three wine farms Van Loveren,
Nederburg, Spier are recorded in Tables 3.2,3.4 and 3.6 respectively.
In terms of the fth and nal objective of this research, the goal is to
determine the environmental impact balance of oating solar systems in terms
of Water, Energy, Land and Food (WELF) nexus parameters. In this regard,
section 4.4.1 lists the WELF impact factors for each of the wine farms Van
Loveren, Nederburg and Spier respectively. It serves as evidence that the model
and methodology developed in the present study can be used to determine the
environmental impact balance of oating solar systems in terms of Water,
Energy, Land and Food Nexus parameters on a case-by-case basis.
Within the aims and objectives context, the present research project have
shown that it supports the body of knowledge as it can serve as a tool to
help solve these environmental sustainability analysis challenges, especially
around the planning of newly envisaged oating solar installations at wine
farms in the Cape Winelands region. The experiments showed that the study
succeeded in using present-day theoretical frameworks provided by the envi-
ronmental geography and energy geography disciplines. It also supports the
process of formulating and developing a desktop computer simulation model
that would help to simplify and semi-automate certain aspects of environmen-
tal impact analysis processes for newly envisioned and planned winery oating
solar installations.
On a strategic research level, the experimental results obtained in this
research project has demonstrated that computer based energy and environ-
mental models for oatovoltaic systems can be used to perform computer sim-
ulated predictions of oatovoltaic system performances. The developed model
and methodology proves to be valuable in Eskom energy transition projections
for agricultural and wine farm contexts. The proposed computational mod-
elling techniques successfully integrate WELF nexus parameters (Ho, 2011),
and are suitable for future incorporation into object-orientated environmental
models for a proposed online GIS platform that can follow on from the present
research.
5.3. Directions for future research

The software model and research methodology developed in the present study
has the potential to support the creation of a future online GIS environmental
impact assessment platform. Such interface will provide a exible platform to
evaluate and record the due-diligence and environmental impact of integrated
oating solar energy solutions in agricultural production systems online. In
terms of scientic merit, the objective of such extension of the present research
will be to employ these computer simulation model concepts as online GIS
objects in order to create the ability to project environmental impact measures
for a oating solar system on an irrigation pond at any given GPS location. In
this way future research will extend on present research in order to serve a wider
range of practical applications and problems in the discipline of Environmental
Sciences, particularly in the use of oating solar in elds of agricultural and
development planning in order local and remote area of the world.
Future research will therefore be able extend on the methodology and basic
computational modelling techniques developed in the present study as it can
be incorporated as object orientated environmental models in online GIS plat-
forms. By geo-tagging the data for each potential irrigation pond, EIA prac-
titioners will be able to store the environmental data in a vector-map-based
GIS system layer platform in a computer network cloud (Kwan, 2004). This
platform will serve as support system for Environmental Impact Practitioners
in planning and development projects of any hypothethical or planned oating
solar projects in the eld of winery, agriculture and rural enterprise develop-
ment. This GIS facility will also be valuable in a teaching environment, where
candidate EIA practitioners, project developers and eco-conscious farmers can
use the GIS platform to experiment with environmental impact assessment
theories and scenarios.
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Appendices
52
A. Sample Research Questionnaire
(completed)
53
APPENDIX A. SAMPLE RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE (COMPLETED) 54
RESEARCH QUESTIONAIRE
BASIC ASSESSMENT REPORT
(For official use only)
File Reference Number: Sample Spier Winery Questionnaire Feedback
Application Number:
Date Received:
Basic assessment report in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014,
promulgated in terms of the National Environmental Management Act, 1998(Act No. 107 of 1998), as
amended.
Kindly note that:
1. This basic assessment report is a standard report that may be required by a competent authority in terms of the EIA
Regulations, 2014 and is meant to streamline applications. Please make sure that it is the report used by the particular
competent authority for the activity that is being applied for.
2. The report must be typed within the spaces provided in the form. The size of the spaces provided is not necessarily
indicative of the amount of information to be provided. The report is in the form of a table that can extend itself as each
space is filled with typing.
3. Where applicable tick the boxes that are applicable or black out the boxes that are not applicable in the report.
4. An incomplete report may be returned to the applicant for revision.
5. The use of “not applicable” in the report must be done with circumspection because if it is used in respect of material
information that is required by the competent authority for assessing the application, it may result in the rejection of the
application as provided for in the regulations.
6. This report must be handed in at offices of the relevant competent authority as determined by each authority.
7. No faxed or e-mailed reports will be accepted.
8. The report must be compiled by an independent environmental assessment practitioner (EAP).
9. Unless protected by law, all information in the report will become public information on receipt by the competent authority.
Any interested and affected party should be provided with the information contained in this report on request, during any
stage of the application process.
10. A competent authority may require that for specified types of activities in defined situations only parts of this report need
to be completed.
Questionnaire Table of Contents:
1 ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION .............................................................................................................................. 5
2 LANDSCAPE NAME AND LOCATION .......................................................................................................... 5
3 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY POSITION ..................................................................................................... 5
4 PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY ............................................................................................................. 6
5 ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF OVERALL FACILITY .................................................................................... 7
6 TECHNICAL INSTALLATION......................................................................................................................... 7
6.1 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY ........................................................................................... 7
6.2 SOLAR POWER INVERTER TECHNOLOGY ....................................................................................... 7
6.3 SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION AZIMUTH ANGLE ORIENTATION .................................................... 7
6.4 SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ELEVATION ANGLE ORIENTATION ................................................ 7
7 EVIRONMENTAL IMPACT............................................................................................................................. 8
7.1 ENERGY SYSTEM PARAMETERS (WELF Energy Nexus) ................................................................. 8
7.1.1 Energy Conversion Efficiency ....................................................................................................... 8
7.1.2 Anticipated Annual Electrical Energy Generation Output .............................................................. 8
7.1.3 Anticipated Average Electrical Power Generation Output ............................................................. 8
7.2 EVIRONMENTAL EQUAVALENTS (FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS) ............................................................ 8
7.2.1 Carbon Dioxide ............................................................................................................................. 8
7.2.2 Coal .............................................................................................................................................. 9
7.2.3 Ash................................................................................................................................................ 9
7.2.4 Sulphur Dioxide............................................................................................................................. 9
7.2.5 Nitrogen Oxide .............................................................................................................................. 9
7.3 WATER IMPACT (WELF Water Nexus) ................................................................................................ 9
7.4 LAND USE/PRESERVATION IMPACT (WELF Land Nexus) ................................................................ 9
7.5 FOOD PRODUCTION/PRESERVATION IMPACT (WELF Food Nexus) ............................................ 10
8 EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT ....................................................................................................................... 10
8.1 EMISSIONS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE ............................................................................................. 10
8.2 GENERATION OF NOISE ................................................................................................................... 10
9 GENERAL CLIENT INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 11
10 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) INFORMATION ........................................... 11

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY INFORMATION
1 ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
Describe the activity, which is being applied for Basic Environmental Impact Assessment:
Floating Solar Photovoltaic Installation on winery irrigation pond/dam.
Does the project form part of any of the Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) as described
in the National Development Plan, 2011 [1. Yes, 2. No]?
2. No
2 LANDSCAPE NAME AND LOCATION
What is the name of the winery or wine farm?
Spier Winery, Spier Wine Farm and Spier Estate (Boland)
Give the physical and postal address of the winery for the landscape activity?
R310 Baden Powell Rd, Lynedoch, Stellenbosch, 7603
Spier Winery Postal Address: PO Box 99, Lynedoch 7603, South Africa
3 ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITY POSITION
Indicate the position of the activity using the latitude and longitude of the centre point of the
site for each alternative site. The GPS co-ordinates of the activity should be in degrees and
decimal minutes. The projection that must be used in all cases is the WGS84 spheroid in a
national or local projection. List alternative sites if applicable.
Alternative: Latitude (S): Longitude (E):
Alternative S11 (preferred or only site 33 o 58 ‘ 18 o 46 ‘

alternative)
Alternative S2 (if any) o ‘ o ‘
Alternative S3 (if any) o ‘ o ‘
For route alternatives that are longer than 500m, please provide an addendum with co-
ordinates taken every 250 meters along the route for each alternative alignment.
4 PHYSICAL SIZE OF THE ACTIVITY
Indicate the physical size of the preferred activity/technology as well as alternative

activities/technologies (footprints):
Alternative: Size of the activity:
Alternative A12 (preferred activity Floating Solar 3700 m2

alternative) Installation
Alternative A2 (if any) NA
Indicate the size of the alternative sites or servitudes (within which the above footprints will
occur):
Alternative: Size of the site/servitude:
Alternative A1 (preferred activity Irrigation pond 4000 m2

alternative)
1
“Alternative S..” refer to site alternatives.
2
“Alternative A..” refer to activity, process, technology or other alternatives.
5 ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF OVERALL FACILITY
What is the average monthly energy consumption of the wine farm/winery process [kWh]?
50,000 kWh to 200,000 kWh (winter to summer)
6 TECHNICAL INSTALLATION
6.1 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC TECHNOLOGY
Which is the preferred solar photovoltaic panel technology [1. SolarWorld, 2. SunTec, 3.
Sharp, 4. Toshiba]?
3. Sharp 4. Toshiba -
6.2 SOLAR POWER INVERTER TECHNOLOGY
Which is the preferred solar power inverter technology [1. Siemens, 2. Toshiba, 3. ABB]?
1. Siemens 3. ABB -
6.3 SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION AZIMUTH ANGLE ORIENTATION
What will be the azimuth orientation angle of installation for the solar panel system (relative to
ground) [0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50° ]?
32° (optimal West Cape) - -
6.4 SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION ELEVATION ANGLE ORIENTATION
What will be the elevation orientation angle of installation for the solar panel system (relative
to North) [0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50° ]?
0° only (directly north) - -

7 EVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
7.1 ENERGY SYSTEM PARAMETERS (WELF Energy Nexus)
7.1.1 Energy Conversion Efficiency
What is the percentage efficiency of the solar power generation conversion processes
for the given solar technology due to conversion losses [%]?
Around 74.5 % for Toshiba solar panels with Siemens power inverter (DC to AC)
7.1.2 Anticipated Annual Electrical Energy Generation Output
What is the total anticipated annual solar energy generation output (also provide
monthly/seasonal breakdown if available) [kWh]?
Estimated 204 300 kWh annum (12 Months: 1. 22.071; 2. 20.224; 3. 20.027;
4. 15.647; 5. 11.886; 6. 10.115; 7. 10.78; 8. 14.977; 9. 16.583; 10. 20.037; 11.
20.867; 12. 21.117)
7.1.3 Anticipated Average Electrical Power Generation Output
What is the average anticipated hourly solar power generation output [as kWh]?
Estimated around 1520 kWh for floatovoltaic system
7.2 EVIRONMENTAL EQUAVALENTS (FOOTPRINT ANALYSIS)
What carbon footprint reduction is achieved with floating solar system due to National (Eskom)
grid energy replacement? (Tick each environmental benefits/reductions achieved)
WATER SAVED  COAL SAVED  ASH REDUCED 
SULPHUR DIOXIDE CARBON DIOXIDE REDUCED NITROGEN OXIDE REDUCED

REDUCED   
7.2.1 Carbon Dioxide
How much carbon dioxide (CO2) is saved with floating solar systems due to grid energy
replacement [kg]?
Estimated 202 257 Kg

7.2.2 Coal
What is the amount of coal saved due to grid energy replacement [kg]?
7.2.3 Ash
Amount of ash saved with technology due to grid energy replacement [kg]?
Estimated 31 667 Kg
7.2.4 Sulphur Dioxide
Amount of sulphur dioxide (SO2) saved with floating solar systems due to grid energy
replacement [kg]?
7.2.5 Nitrogen Oxide
How much nitrogen oxide (NOx) is reduced with floating solar systems due to grid
energy replacement [kg]?
Estimated 85 602 Kg
7.3 WATER IMPACT (WELF Water Nexus)
How much water (H2O) is saved with floating solar systems due to grid energy replacement?
Estimated 279 891 liters
7.4 LAND USE/PRESERVATION IMPACT (WELF Land Nexus)
Square meters of land required for over-water solar vs over-land solar?
3700 m2 (water, no agricultural land )

10
7.5 FOOD PRODUCTION/PRESERVATION IMPACT (WELF Food Nexus)
Influence/impact of floating solar on food production (for example agricultural farm land
preserved for wine/food production)?
Approximately 3700 m2 of productive agricultural food/wine land preserved.

Floatovoltaic installation will eliminate the need to uproot historical Spier grape vines.
Influence/impact of floating solar on food production (for example water quality reserved due
to over-water solar vs over-land solar)?
Anticipating reduced algal growth in pond, improved winery irrigation water quality.
8 EMISSIONS MANAGEMENT
8.1 EMISSIONS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE
Will the activity release emissions into the atmosphere? YES NO
If yes, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? YES NO
If yes, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it NA
is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA.
If no, describe the emissions in terms of type and concentration:
Floatovoltaic system, zero operational emissions (0)
8.2 GENERATION OF NOISE
Will the activity generate noise? YES NO
If yes, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of government? YES NO
If yes, the applicant should consult with the competent authority to determine whether it NA
is necessary to change to an application for scoping and EIA.
If no, describe the noise in terms of type and level:
Floatovoltaic system, no significant operational noise (0)

11
9 GENERAL CLIENT INFORMATION
Project applicant: Spier Winery

Trading name (if any): Spier
Telephone: 021 809 1100 Fax: 021 809 1109
E-mail: manager@spier.co.za
Provincial Authority: Western Cape Regional Government

Telephone: 0860 142 142 Fax: 021 483 7216
E-mail: planning@westerncape.gov.za
Local municipality Stellenbosch Municipality
Telephone: 021 808 8111 Fax: 021 808 8112
E-mail: planning@stellenbosch.gov.za
10 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESMENT PRACTITIONER (EAP) INFORMATION
EAP:
Mr. F.C. Prinsloo
Professional
IAIAsa- International Association for Impact Assessment SA
affiliation/registration:
Contact person (if
NA
different from EAP):
Company:
UNISA
Telephone:
0730763373 Fax: 0730763374
E-mail:
56161735@mylife.unisa.ac.za
If an EAP has not been appointed please ensure that an independent EAP is appointed as stipulated by Regulation
13 of GN R 982, dated 04 December 2014, prior to the commencement of the process.
The declaration of independence and the Curriculum Vitae (indicating the experience with environmental impact
assessment and the relevant application processes) of the EAP must also be submitted to the Department.
- END -
B. Processed Questionnaires
63
APPENDIX B. PROCESSED QUESTIONNAIRES 64
Questionnaire Responses
Basic Environmental Impact Assessment
FC Prinsloo (56161735)
1. Activity description
Description of activity in environmental impact application Floatovaltaic system Floatovaltaic system Floatovaltaic system
Strategic Infrastructure Projects (SIPs) as described in the National Development Plan,
2011 [1. Yes, 2. No ] ? 2 2 2
2. Landscape name and address
Nederburg Winery Van Loveren Winery
Name of the winery or wine farm Spier Winery (Boland)
(Drakenstein) (Breederivier)
Sonstraal Rd, Paarl District R310 Baden Powell Rd, R317 Road, Robertson
Physical address of the winery or landscape
Stellenbosch District District
3. Environmental activity position
GPS Coordinates of activity 33 42.999 S, 19 00.218 E 33 58.513 S, 18 46.850 E 33 52.502 S, 20 00.153 E
4. Physical size of the activity
Floating Solar Installation size (m2) 18383 3700 20580
Irrigation Pond/Dam size (m2) 28000 4000 25000
Percentage pond/dam covered (%) 65.65 92.50 82.32
5. Energy consumption of overall facility
Average monthly energy consumption winter (kWh) 75 000 50 000 34 000
Average monthly energy consumption summer (kWh) 320 000 200 000 120 000
6. Technical installation
Preferred solar panel technology [1. SolarWorld, 2. SunTec, 3. Sharp, 4. Toshiba] 3 3 3
Preferred solar power inverter technology [1. Siemens, 2. Toshiba, 3. ABB] 1 1 1
Solar panel azimuth angle orientation [0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50° ] 32 32 32
Solar panel elevation angle orientation [0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, 50° ] 0 0 0
7. Environmental impacts
7.1 Energy system parameters (WELF Energy Nexus)
Energy conversion efficiency percentage [%] 74.1 74.5 73.7
Anticipated solar energy generation output [kW]
Jan (kWh) 110 905 22 071 122 519
Feb (kWh) 100 942 20 224 113 333
Mar (kWh) 102 044 20 027 109 126
Apr (kWh) 84 270 15 647 90 583
May (kWh) 63 396 11 886 74 303
Jun (kWh) 48 986 10 115 58 141
Jul (kWh) 55 376 10 780 68 324
Aug (kWh) 77 258 14 977 89 903
Sep (kWh) 83 720 16 583 98 707
Oct (kWh) 104 685 20 037 111 738
Nov (kWh) 107 146 20 867 114 106
Dec (kWh) 103 604 21 117 114 294
Total anticipated annual solar energy generation output [kW] 1 042 332 204 300 1 165 077
Anticipated average hourly electrical power generation output [kWh] 667.80 134.40 747.60
7.2 Environmental equivalents (Footprint analysis)
Coal [kg] 562 680 110 322 629 100
Ash [kg] 161 510 31 666 180 575
SO2 [kg] 826 306 162 009 923 845
NOx [kg] 436 598 85 602 488 135
CO2 [kg] 1 031 580 202 257 1 153 350
7.3 Water impact (WELF Water Nexus)
Water (H2O) saved as result of Eskom generation (litres) 1 427 540 279 891 1 596 050
7.4 Land use/preservation impact (WELF Land Nexus)
Square meter solar field land preserved [m2] 18383 3700 20580
APPENDIX B. PROCESSED QUESTIONNAIRES 65
7.5 Food production/preservation impact (WELF Food Nexus)
Agricultural farm land preserved for wine/food production [m2] 18383 3700 20580
8. Emission impact
8.1 Emissions into the atmosphere
Will the activity release emissions into atmosphere [1. Yes, 2. No] 2 2 2
If no, describe the emissions in terms of concentration and type: 0 0 0
8.2 Generation of Noise
Will the activity generate noise [1. Yes, 2. No] 2 2 2
If no, describe the noise in terms of level and type: 0 0 0
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Environmental impact and assessment for ﬂoating solar systems on wine

Thesis · January 2017

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded ﬁle.

Frederik Christoel Prinsloo

Thesis presented in partial fullment of the requirements for

Environmental awareness and market forces are placing increasing pressure on

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Environmental Impact Elements

Companies, Institutions and Countries

3.2.2.2 Simulation model input eldwork parameters . 18

4.7 Comparison of energy model outputs for envisaged oatovoltaic

4.1 Van Loveren energy and environmental model input parameters. . . 25

1.1. Study background

1.2. Research topic

1.3. Problem statement

1.4. Research questions

These questions and sub-questions will be addressed in the present study

1.5. Research aims and objectives

1.6. Theoretical paradigm

coupled human-environment systems, where human activity in general has a

1.7. Dissertation layout

2.2. Solar energy in the wine making industry

In comparing the solar energy output of land-based solar power systems

2.3. Environmental impact of solar systems

Carbon taxation protocol and accounting requirements thus require wineries

Figure 2.3: Elements of carbon footprint contributions on a typical Cape Winelands

2.4. Potential impact on water resources

In terms of agricultural water sustainability and climate change mitigation

2.5. International oating solar applications

Figure 2.5: Floating photovoltaic projects international development time-line

proved to be valuable in terms of corrosion-resistance, while the tensile and

3.2. Research study methodology

 Energy and environmental simulation modelling

 Data collection process

 Data gathering, sampling and population

3.2.1. Research design

This provides an excellent opportunity and research environment for the

3.2.2. Research method

A computer M&S analysis technique is helpful in the case of studying

3.2.2.1. Environmental simulation analysis technique

horizon in the experiments to determine the environmental impact of a oating

3.2.2.2. Simulation model input eldwork parameters

 Square meter area of the proposed oating solar installation

 Proposed oating solar installation type and orientation

 Preferred oating solar technology conguration

 Present energy consumption of the wine farm and winery process

In order to dene the simulation model inputs, a research questionnaire

3.2.3. The data collection process

amount of energy that will be generated by a oating solar system as well as

3.2.3.1. Data gathering, sampling and population

3.2.3.2. Experimental procedure

In the second computer simulation cycle, the environmental simulation

3.2.4. Data processing and analysis

oating solar systems on a particular farm in the Cape Winelands region. In

3.3. Research ethics considerations

4.2. Experimental site selection

4.3. Experimental results for wine farm sites

4.3.1. Results for Van Loveren winery (Breederiver)

Global positioning location (h:m.s) 33 52.502 S, 20 00.153 E

4.3.1.1. Van Loveren wine farm: Energy analysis

4.3.1.2. Van Loveren wine farm: Environmental analysis

Van Loveren Energy Model Outputs

model conguration and parameters as described in the research methodology

Frederik Christoel Prinsloo

Thesis presented in partial fullment of the requirements for

3.2.2.2 Simulation model input eldwork parameters . 18

4.7 Comparison of energy model outputs for envisaged oatovoltaic

2.5. International oating solar applications

Energy and environmental simulation modelling

Data collection process

Data gathering, sampling and population

horizon in the experiments to determine the environmental impact of a oating

3.2.2.2. Simulation model input eldwork parameters

Square meter area of the proposed oating solar installation

Proposed oating solar installation type and orientation

Preferred oating solar technology conguration

Present energy consumption of the wine farm and winery process

In order to dene the simulation model inputs, a research questionnaire

amount of energy that will be generated by a oating solar system as well as

oating solar systems on a particular farm in the Cape Winelands region. In

model conguration and parameters as described in the research methodology

of the area where the proposed oatovoltaic system is planned to be installed

Table 4.7 essentially illustrates that by installing water-based oating so-

To examine the anticipated eects of oating solar systems on water

Choi, Y.-K. (2014). A study on power generation analysis of oating PV system

Sharp Corporation (2008). US vineyard uses space saving oatovoltaics. Renewable

Trapani, K. and Santafe, M. (2015). A review of oating photovoltaic installations: