By Eamonn Ryan
At Solar & Storage Live Africa 2026, hosted at the Gallagher Convention Centre, the message from industry leaders was that energy can no longer be treated as a passive utility. It has become a defining factor in operational resilience, cost control and environmental responsibility. This is part one of a two-part series.
The conversation also highlighted the growing importance of intelligent control.
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Although the panel discussion – featuring moderator Agnes Mbeya: CEO Makko Brothers Credit; Jerry Dungu, head market and product development: ArcelorMittal; and Melusi Tshabalala, CEO Mesama Energy – focused on hybrid solar and storage systems in industrial settings, the implications extend directly into the HVAC&R sector. In fact, as buildings become more energy-conscious and electrified, cooling systems are increasingly at the centre of the energy conversation.
A key theme was the shift in how organisations view energy. It is no longer simply a controllable expense; it is an operational risk. Loadshedding, volatile fuel prices and ageing infrastructure all contribute to uncertainty. For facilities that depend on continuous cooling – whether in healthcare, data centres or manufacturing – this risk is particularly acute. HVAC systems are often among the largest electrical loads in a building, which means they are also among the most vulnerable when energy supply becomes unstable.
This is where hybrid solar and storage systems begin to reshape the landscape. By combining photovoltaic generation, battery storage and intelligent energy management, these systems introduce a level of flexibility that traditional diesel backup simply cannot match. Solar generation offsets daytime demand, while batteries respond almost instantaneously to fluctuations in load. For HVAC systems, which are characterised by variable and often sudden demand spikes, this ability to smooth loads is especially valuable. It reduces stress on infrastructure, limits peak demand penalties and allows for more stable system operation.
Perhaps more significantly, hybrid systems offer a pathway away from diesel dependence. Diesel generators have long been the default solution for backup power in critical HVAC applications, yet they are expensive to run, maintenance-intensive and environmentally damaging. By contrast, hybrid systems reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and provide a cleaner form of process. In facilities where cooling is mission-critical, this shift is not just a sustainability measure – it is a strategic one.
The conversation also highlighted the growing importance of intelligent control. Energy management systems can now co-ordinate HVAC operation with energy availability in ways that were previously not possible. Buildings can be pre-cooled when solar generation is abundant, or non-essential loads can be reduced during constrained periods. This kind of dynamic interaction between energy supply and HVAC demand represents a fundamental shift in how systems are designed and operated.
Yet, despite these advantages, the transition is not without its challenges. Cost remains a significant barrier, particularly for large-scale industrial applications. While hybrid systems deliver clear long-term savings, the upfront investment can be difficult to justify without strong financial or regulatory drivers. Legislative complexity further complicates matters, as approval processes and compliance requirements can slow implementation. There is also the question of technology maturity – while solar and battery systems are well established, newer or more complex hybrid configurations may still face hesitation from both users and financiers.
