Truck fleet operators depend on sure-fire production timelines when it comes to their trailer and truck body suppliers. Any disruption in trailer manufacturing directly affects fleet operational capacity, maintenance scheduling and long-term fleet planning. Consequently, truck and trailer body builder Serco is now operating its Cape Town facility fully on solar power during summer, effectively boosting production certainty while also generating extra kWh’s to export to the Cape Town municipal grid.
Serco Cape’s excess exported electricity is contributing to the city’s broader renewable energy objectives while offering Serco customers greater predictability around production timelines and delivery schedules.
As one of South Africa’s leading truck and trailer body building companies with branches in all major centres, Serco’s Cape Town solar milestone reflects a broader sustainability strategy that is increasingly becoming part of the operational backbone of modern industrial manufacturing.
Solar milestone achieved
According to Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft, the achievement highlights the company’s commitment to responsible manufacturing practices: “Businesses play a critical role in addressing environmental challenges. Our adoption of solar power reflects our dedication to responsible manufacturing and our commitment to the planet,” he says.
Since October last year, the Cape Town facility has consistently generated more solar energy than it draws from the grid – a milestone that Serco believes sets an important benchmark for clean energy adoption within the South African manufacturing sector.
The solar system was initially commissioned at the end of 2023. Capacity was subsequently increased and the company obtained permission to enable grid-tied generation, allowing excess electricity to be exported into the municipal grid.
Between October 2025 and February this year, the facility generated an average monthly surplus of 7 008 kWh, demonstrating the scale of the plant’s renewable energy capability during peak solar months.
Group-wide renewable strategy
The Cape Town facility forms part of a wider renewable energy programme across Serco’s national operations. The company’s Durban and Johannesburg manufacturing sites have also implemented solar installations to supplement their electricity needs, reinforcing a group-wide strategy aimed at long-term energy sustainability.
Holcroft says the Cape Town achievement highlights both the technical capability of the installation and the commitment of the company’s team.
“Generating more power than we consume is a major milestone for our team – and for South African truck body and trailer manufacturing. It showcases what’s possible when sustainability and innovation go hand in hand,” he concludes.
Editor’s comment: Serco’s ability to run a major manufacturing facility entirely on solar power during peak months not only strengthens its sustainability credentials but also enhances the operational predictability that fleet operators thrive on. Way to go, Serco!
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