Four years on for Kenya’s first solar powered eco-lodge

Four years on for Kenya’s first solar powered eco-lodge

Back in May 2014, the luxurious Tortilis Safari Camp located at the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro was Kenya’s first Eco-Lodge to operate solely on solar energy. Situated in the middle of the African wilderness, the lodge was the first private company in Kenya to purchase solar energy on a pay-for-use basis.

Tortilis was awarded the 2015 Ecotourism Eco-Rated Camp of the Year award by Ecotourism Kenya. With many excelling customer reviews from the fantastic accommodation and service, to the magnificent surroundings, an abundance of wildlife, and even a vegetable garden where fresh salads are prepared from daily, the Safari Camp continues to enjoy their Ecotourism status.

With over 190 solar panels installed on the camp grounds, the 47 kWp system was designed to replace 95% of the camp’s conventional diesel-sourced energy, saving over 1 400 bags of coal each year. The 257 kWp battery storage facility allows the lodge to go completely off-grid by storing the solar energy produced by the sun during the day for use at night.

After four years in operation the camp has managed to save more than 100 000 litres of diesel reducing their carbon emissions by over 280 tonnes since switching to solar.

With Tortilis being SolarAfrica’s first solar energy customer back in 2014, the company has continued to expand and now provides their clean energy solution to over 50 sites throughout Southern Africa, resulting in a total of 17MW in projects. The innovative solar energy solution allows companies to lower their energy bills with no capital investment required, creating a positive impact on the environment.

Planning your organisation’s green energy road map is easier than it seems. Fill in our green energy goals questionnaire to identify the right alternative energy solution for your business.

RELATED STORIES