March 2013

As a way to welcome everyone back from the holidays, the chairman Mr Ellie Salkow quoted one of the greatest men to ever set foot on this planet:

“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.” - Mahatma Gandhi

TRANSFORMERS

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TV & VIDEO

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TELEPHONE

RE MOTE WORLD

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LIGHTBULBS

SHOWER HEADS

GEYSER TIMERS

LED LIGHTS

PV PANELS

SOLAR GEYSERS

MINI -SUB S

GENER ATORS

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HOME SE CURITY

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DATA CENTR E

TELECOMS

MULTIMEDIA

CABLE

CARBON CREDITS

LIGHTING

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ContentContent

At Ellies we believe that a HEALTHY employee is a HAPPY employee /A BabyShower with a Di�rence

The Ellies Johannesburg call centre has relocated to a new space / New Sta� at Ellies

THE MAD TEAM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MAGALIES-BERG / Ellies Blood Drive

Jozi News - Shavathon Ellies

Jozi News - Annual MassBuild Confex

Jozi News - Q & A WITH MARK RICHTER... / Megatron Valentine’s Day.

NEWS FROM CAPE TOWN

NEWS FROM CAPE TOWN - Our month end function. / Watch this space

NEWS FROM CAPE TOWN - Valentine’s

NEWS FROM CAPE TOWN - Did You Know?

NEWS FROM NELSPRUIT - Year End Function 2012 / Employees of the Year 2012

NEWS FROM NELSPRUIT - New employees at Ellies

NEWS FROM NELSPRUIT - Movember Finals

NEWS FROM NELSPRUIT - Our Ellies Family

NEWS FROM POLOKWANE

NEWS FROM P-ESolar Techonology proves itself on a Rooftop

P E News

P E News

P E News

P E News - The Warehouse

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The Pilates sessions take place twice a week, Mondays and Wednesdays. The venue changes between the Ellies 2nd floor auditorium and the Great Hall at the Pyramid. Each session lasts for an hour. The Pilates are meant for all Ellies employees, all that you have to do is to pitch up on the days the sessions take place and have yourself some fun. It only cost R20.00 per session.

A babyshower with a di�erence

The ladies at Ellies Johannesburg threw a wonderful babyshower for Cynthia Mqokomiso who is our resident chef. She adopted a 1 year 4 months old baby boy named Valentino.

At Ellies we believe that a HEALTHY employee is a HAPPY employee..

NEWS FROM JOZI

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The Ellies Johannesburg call centre has relocated to a new space

The Ellies Johannesburg Family Are Growing, Meet The New Guys And Girls At Ellies Johannesburg

BEFORE AFTERAFTER

Jozi News

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MarketingFactory AdminFactoryCounter

Julius Botha

Johny Moyana

Neville Sher

Charles Zimba

SeanBlackman

THE MAD TEAM OUT AND ABOUT IN THE MOUNTAINS OF MAGALIESBERG

ELLIES BLOOD DRIVE

Jozi News

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Quick facts:• Have to be between the ages of 16-65 years old to be able to donate.• Have to weigh over 50kg’s. • Must eat a good meal before donating.• Live a sexually safe lifestyle.• Group O blood is always in need because it can be given to any patient in an emergency.• A person can donate blood every 56 days.

The Ellies blood drive took place on the 22nd of February 2013 between 10:00am and 15:00pm in the Ellies 1st floor auditorium. We would like to thank all those who took part in the blood drive.

Alikki: Quite Scary when I first went but after words the adrenaline rush was awsome. I Would do it again 100 times

Sandra: The Canopy Tours was an awesome experience shared with the best team. Cant wait for the next road trip!!

Maruchka: If Tarzan and Jane had honeymooned in South Africa....

Nick: Mind blowing experience with the best team, it was almost like you were flying without the plane.

Mark: A speactacular, thrilling and fun experience, a must go adventure.

Carl: Thanks to all involved for a day full of fun and adrenaline, this was a great team building eventthat I would recommend to any department.

Boitumelo: Now I know why monkeys love swinging from tree to tree, it’s just too nice.

Jono: The Canopy tour was a tour of note I would definitely recomand this tourFor any team bonding you can see what your Employees are really capable of out side the o�ce.

Shavathon Ellies

Jozi News

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On 15 March 2013, Head O�ce held a Shavathon and raised just over R4000 for CANCER. Well done to all involved, and thank you to all who supported this cause.

Annual MassBuild ConfexFebruary 6th 2013, we exhibited at the annual MassBuild Confex on behalf of Ellies. The Confex is attended by some 300 MassBuild management and sta�.

As suppliers, we are invited to display new and upcoming products to all the members. The stand itself was one of the best stands Ellies has done to date. Well done to Deon Beukes for your commit-ment to this project and the stand. We launched the new Aurora range at the expo with great success as it was well received by all. We are currently in the process of listing the complete Aurora range and compiling new artwork for the stands. We also received the award for Most Innovative Product for our Ellies Renewable Energy project in to the MassBuild stores. To all whom were involved in this project over the last year, I would just like to say thank you.

- Adrian Nel

Jozi News

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Boitumelo: When did you start at Ellies? Mark Richter: I started at Ellies in Port Elizabeth on 18 March 1991, in the days when Chris Elliott was still running the branch.Boitumelo: What do you do in your spare time?Mark Richter: I’ve become quite an avid biker, so weekends almost always include a ride with my mates. Other than that, I still try to read when I get the chance, and I enjoy listening to music – everything from Rammstein to Rach-maninov.Boitumelo: What has been your biggest achievement since being at Ellies? Mark Richter: That would have to be being able to put a small team together to start the East London branch from scratch. Boitumelo: What are you going to miss about Ellies the most?Mark Richter: We have many, many awesome people in this company, many of whom have gone from being work mates to being extended family…Boitumelo: What inspired you to stay on at Ellies for the time that you have stayed? Mark Richter: Working in a team of good people is a great source of motiva-tion, and over the years I have had the privilege of working with many excel-lent people in the business.Boitumelo: Do you think that you have achieved what you wanted to achieve here at Ellies? Mark Richter: Not by a long shot…Boitumelo: What would you like us to remember you with? Mark Richter: A broad smile.Boitumelo: Any last words you would like to leave us with?Mark Richter: “The best executive is the one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” - Theodore Roosevelt

Q & A WITH MARK RICHTER...

Au revoir et bonne chance!......

Megatron Celebrating Valentine’sDay.

Jozi News

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As you embark upon a new path,let us wish you many moments of happiness success and achievements. May in each moment you live your dreams & May you shine always and wherever you go. It is sometimes di�cult to let go of but it is a heart warming feeling to know you are

We say goodbye to Jeanette Theron. Jeanette is retiring

and leaves us after 23 years of dedicated service to Ellies.

by Heinrich Knoetze

It’s newsletter time again, but as the saying goes: “time flies when you’re having fun”. After a very busy few weeks, 2013 is well underway in Cape Town as we look back at some memora-ble moments. You will notice LOVE is in the air and we are expanding from within, with new sta� & babies being born. Also still a few on the way! But let me not get ahead of myself quite yet. Enjoy the news and pictures.

Above: Jeanette and fellow colleagues in accounts.

leaving us for betterment. Wish you excel in every field of your life. Though it is your farewell you are leaving behind a legacy that will show young ones the right path to take in the future. The hardest thing to do is to say good-bye but at least it has a “good” attached to that promises a better tomorrow.

CONGRATULATIONS

Above: Our 3 pregnant ladies at our last month end function.From left to right. Anthea (Call Centre), Portia (Housekeeping) and Maryam (Call Centre)Below: Some of the ladies put some gifts together for Portia and they also shared a meal together before she went on maternity leave.

Below: The ladies aren't the only ones expanding families. Congratulations Grant (IT Guy) who became father for the second time when his fiancè gave birth to his son Chase on the 17th of Feb 2012 @ 14h03

Below: Maryam also gave birth to her second child 10th of February

NEWS FROM CAPE TOWN:

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CONGRATULATIONS

BE SURE TO WATCH OUT IN THE NEXT EDITION FOR THE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES.

Below is some pictures of the January function.

Watch this space

Our month end function.January’s employee of the month as “voted for by the people (sta�)” will be announced as at the end of February at the next month end function.

We are renovating our building. - The Canteen - The Warehouse / Receiving - Painting & New signage around the building.

Curent Look

Artist Impression Ellies Cape Town

Cape Town News

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Also: We have 2 new delivery vehicles which will soon be covered in Ellies signage.

We say thank you ladies. We appreciate all you do. On the 14 of February we had a special Valentines treat for them. The ladies all received an Invite the morning of the 14th to be in the entertainment area by 13h00. With loads of anticipation the doors opened to the sight of some red cold drink, sweet treats & cake. PS. All diets were left at the door as the ladies indulged in the treats.

Valentine’s

Cape Town News

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Cape Town News

KNOWJOSEPH STANLEY FAKTOR

HERMANUS JOHANNES MALAN

How long have you been with Ellies and what is your position her2 Years and 10 Months - Supervisor / Receiver in the WarehouseWhere are you from?Cape TownWhat are your Hobbies?Living life to the fullestWhat are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?To achieve something di�erent in life & to have a journey.So then if you could be anything what would it be?The changeTell us your most embarrassing moment?When words spoken that should not have, blushing when embarrAnd biggest achievement? My work and length of time at ElliesIf you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?Casting Crowns I love their music.What’s your Strengths in life?Counting on myselfand weaknesses?Counting on others.What “motto” or “quote” you live by? Treat people the way you want to be treated.

ASHTON JACOBS

How long have you been with Ellies and what is your position herAlmost 3 years & Salesman in the Trade shopWhere are you from?Mitchell’s PlainWhat are your Hobbies?Reading, Soccer and EatingWhat are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?I would just like to achieve somethingSo then if you could be anything what would it be?Someone the people can look uptoTell us your most embarrassing moment?Falling in a pool whilst trying to hit on a pretty girl.And biggest achievement? Working in Sales at Ellies If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?A hot ChickWhat’s your Strengths in life?Motivationand weaknesses?My legsWhat “motto” or “quote” you live by? Doing it, live and direct!

GERSWIN CLOETEHow long have you been with Ellies and what is your position here? 7 1/2 Years - Call Centre Sales & Customer SupportWhere are you from?KraaifonteinWhat are your Hobbies?Kick boxing & MusicianWhat are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?To strive for success and own my own companySo then if you could be anything what would it be?CEO of a major CompanyTell us your most embarrassing moment?While playing soccer with boys (4 yrs ago) I got drunk and mistakenly chased the grass thinking it was the ball and they noticed me running in the opposite direction.And biggest achievement? Achieving Highest Honors in my class for Int. Leadership Studies 2011 If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?Donald Trump - I want to own a successful business (Just like he does)What’s your Strengths in life?My ability to communicate with customers & my leadership abilitiesand weaknesses?Partial ImpatienceWhat is your “motto” or “quote” you live by? This is it you check

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KENEUWE KHATI

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JANINE VOS

How long have you been with Ellies and what is your position here?5 Years - Project Co-OrdinatorWhere are you from?Grassy Park, Cape TownWhat are your Hobbies?Being Outdoors and Camping.What are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?To start a small business. So then if you could be anything what would it be?A Midwife - I love babies. Tell us your most embarrassing moment?With my last child, I gave birth in front of the loo and everyone saw itAnd biggest achievement? Buying my own house last year. If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?My dad, I miss him so much.What’s your Strengths in life?My two girls, Tiara & Skyler.and weaknesses?feel I don't always open up & don't always say how I feel.. What is you “motto”or “quote” you live by? Life is lesson, which must be lived to be understood.

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JOE

JOHAN

GERSWIN

ASHTON JANINE

KENEUWE

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DID YOU ?

We Started a “Did you know “wall” (Right). Now you might ask did you know what? Well every month we choose 6 sta� members and do a profile on them. Asking questions, some serious and some fun ones. We spend so much time together and yet we know very little about one another. Below is our first 6 sta� members we interviewed.

How long have you been with Ellies and what is your position here?5 Year - Workshop ManagerWhere are you from?Plumstead, Cape What are your Hobbies?TownFishing & CampingWhat are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?Would like to train and teach people.So then if you could be anything what would it be?To see my kids Grown up and successful.Tell us your most embarrassing moment?Went to a restaurant and card machine failed(was their fault tho) And biggest achievement?Where I am in life and what I have. If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?Michael Schumacher, to learn from him. What’s your Strengths in life?My technical & learning ability in the tech field and weaknesses?Book keepingWhat is your “motto” or “guote” you live by?To do your best in life. Where others failed try to achieve!

How long have you been with Ellies and what is your position here?10 Months - Credit ControllerWhere are you from?Guguletu Cape TownWhat are your Hobbies?Reading, Socializing and PartyingWhat are your Dreams and Ambitions in life?To �nish my PR Dip, to do my B-Tech & somting accounting relatedSeeing my family happy, helping people. Looking forward to my 1 car.So then if you could be anything what would it be?@ this point I'm sure, but want to be in PR or work with people Tell us your most embarrassing moment?Public Speaking I must say, but nothing in particular comes to mind. And biggest achievement? Renovating my grandmothers home & my last year towards my diploma.If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?My father, I love him so much and we never had a “dinner date” before.What’s your Strengths in life?Hard worker, go-getter, goal achiever and with a good heart.and weaknesses?Get hurt very easily and good at hiding it (Pride), too soft at times, too easily trust people & I also battle to hide something wrong! LOL me & my big mouth. What is you “motto”or “quote” you live by? Everything is possible, you’ve got to believe!

NEWS FROM NELSPRUIT

Year End Function 2012

Employees of the Year 2012 Thank you to Uneshree, Excellent and Emmah for your outstanding work over the past year. Hard work will always be rewarded.

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Nelspruit NewsNew employees at ElliesWe would like to welcome Frans, Tiaan and Monique at Ellies Nelspruit

A solar geyser was installed to keep Ellies water hot without costing thousands of rands.

Congratulations to Hendrik du Plessis our technician, and wife Jo-Anne who became parents on the 6th december 2012

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We would like to welcome Frans, Tiaan and Monique at Ellies NelspruitMovember Finals

Ellies crowned a Mo’sista and an Mo’brother.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO COMPETED!

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Our Sales Manager Matthew Harvey was crowned Mr. Movember for having the most well groomed

moustache and Debra Davis our Sales P.A. as Ms Movember for her outgoing and bubbly personality.

Nelspruit News

Our Ellies Family

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Nelspruit News

NEWS FROM POLOKWANE

Green concept into ahardware store

Internal Sales TeamFrom Back Left to Right: Samuel Rasehlo, Chantelle Esterhuizen, Nico Myburgh From Front Left to Right: Gerhard van Jaarsveld, Sto�el Lourens, Francois Viljoen

The counter sales team would like to congratulate Sto�el Lourens on moving forward to become one of our new merchandisers. He is a very creative, sponta-neous person and we hope that merchandising will bring out the best in him.

Barnetts winner of DSTV/Ellies promo

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P E News

Felicitations for the New Year!!! May it be a good year for one and all. Most of us hit the floor boards running and there was very little “ramp up” period. I know the drive and passion displayed will pay o� in the long run, we just need to keep focussed on our goal, to be recog-nised as a Leader, at the forefront of technology and accessories. Principled and committed in all that we do.

Last year, Ellies PE held a Competition with a prize of 32” LCD TV if you bought a DSTV Decoder. Satha and John, together with Ayoob the Regional Manager for Giddy’s Electrical, awarded a customer from Daku in the Struandale Area. Congratulations!

We also had our Matriculants write their first big test in readiness for their exams. Much nail-biting went on. One can’t but admire these folk for taking on this huge challenge.

Well done too to Nadia for successfully completing her Health and Safety O�cer’s course. We knew you could do it!

There is always time for Charity Events and this one saw us sipping cocktails in support of the Imfundo Project

Belinda, Nicole, Sanet, Sheldon and Alister were there to show support to our home grown Mrs PE, Mandy.

Talking about parties….Bob’s Retirement Party went o� well, although more than one of us had moist eyes as we wished him Farewell. May you have many days Golfing in the sun!

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We have a Warehouse that is separate to the Ellies Main building. This Warehouse is home to three men who are always willing to go the extra mile. Generous to a fault! Need some-thing, call Guppy! We asked Guppy to introduce us to the sta� at the ware-house.

“Out of sight, out of Mind”

“2km down a back street you will find the Warehouse sta�. We are a team (of three). Ferdie, Gareth and me (Guppy). Ferdie does the repairs on all Ellies stock like the remotes, Electri-cal, Essential, etc. Then there is Gareth who fixes Genies (Generators). Basically he is responsible for the 1kva – 5kva range. He also helps manage the stock in and out between the two warehouses. I make sure that the back-up stock gets delivered to the main warehouse. The bigger Genies are mainly my responsibility as well as managing the two ware-houses stock in and out.

We also assist the other departments in their work environment by putting up the odd shelf, making a stand or a frame for geysers, generally we try to help where we can. On the odd occa-sion we go out of town to repair bigger generators. Although you don’t see us, we are like our own little team within a team”. These men also went on a Team Building Weekend to Slagboom with a few of the other Ellies men. Also, at their own initiative and cost. We asked Guppy to report back.

“The end of last year, 27 – 28 October I organised a men’s weekend at Slagboom approximately 90km outside of Port Elizabeth. Our original site was cancelled because of heavy rain (the water had risen by 4m).

Altogether 9 men packed up bakkies and left Saturday morning. When we arrived at the site you could see the water damage on the gravel road just before the campsite. En route we went passed a T-Junction where the road had washed away to the left. Where we camped the water was about 1 – 1.5m higher than the water level!

We put up camp and started the fire. We had taken two paddle ski’s along but could not really use them because the current was too strong. I lost my spectacles to the river as well. Ferdi had brought his pellet gun and there were also a few “ketty’s”. We had fun shooting at a target board that Gareth and I had made.

We slept over the evening and came back on the Sunday. Lots of fun was had!”

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P E News

The Warehouse

Roving Reporter…We asked Charlene to share with us some of her experiences during her holiday to Sodwana.“Our holiday destination was to Coral Divers in Sodwana and I did my advance diving course. Every evening there would be a meeting for the dives of the following day to arrange all the divers on the boats and which area of the reef they would be diving. We would get up a 5am and meet either 6am or 6:30am at the loading area where all our gear would be loaded on a trailer and the tracker would drive us down to the beach. Only later did I see the warning signs on the beach that a person had to be aware of not only sharks, but hippos and crocodiles! I was privi-leged enough to see a shark in its natural environment. I can’t describe the adrenaline rush you get when the dive master indicates shark!There are so many amazing creatures to see under the sea. Sodwana is also a popular fishing area and a large school of barracuda swam overhead. There are also so many people you meet all over the world that come to Sodwana to dive. There was an Australian couple completing all their courses from advance diver to rescue diver. In the one picture I am kneeling on the sea bed with a massive Potato Bass at a cleaning station and a gentleman from the UK backpacking all over Africa. I did two dives a day, when a person gets back you are hungry and tired. The evenings are always quiet as the divers go to bed early for an early rise the following morning. On my last dive our skipper stopped the boat before we reached our destination as there was a school of dolphins. We all got our snorkels and masks and jumped overboard. A person feels clumsy in the water when you see how graceful the dolphins swim. The deeper you dive the less colour you see when taking a picture.On land the only annoying creatures were the monkeys. One morning the sta� had to catch a Mozambique Spitting Cobra!!! They released the snake elsewhere out of harm’s way.”

Sports…

Staying in the water, fishermen come in di�erent shapes and sizes. But sometimes the package can be a little surprising. We asked Vanessa to share with us her experiences as a Deep Sea Fisherman (uh…woman…)

“Waking up at three in the morning, to get to the yacht club to launch the boat for a trip to sea seems a bit daft to most people, but once you're out on the water, the lights of the ships in the harbour, guiding you out of the harbour and into the big blue, it becomes quite apparent why I am so passionate about deep sea fishing.The peace and tranquillity of the ocean and the ability it gives me to leave all of my worries and challenges behind if only for six hours, that is so appealing. The sunrise, the fresh air, the vast open space and the endless schools of dolphins, whales, sharks, that make you feel part of something wonderful. And if through all of it, if you are really lucky, you get to catch a beauty like this. And if you don’t, you have still experienced something beautiful. The secret to fishing at sea is to realize that catching great fish is only a bonus on top of a breath-taking experience. My passion for fishing started when I was 12 years old. My late dad used to take me fishing. He had a river boat and was an avid fisherman and I was blessed to inherit this from him. His passion was passed to me and has stuck with me till now. I get to experience his presence whenever I am out there.” VANESSA BRUWER : KOB - 13 KG.

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P E News

P E NewsWe had quite a Sale from the chaps in Ghana, the gentlemen came in, bought cash, around R55k, and asked us to arrange delivery. The crates were designed by Rennie. Well done Alister for han-dling the sale!

Talking about selling, our Renewable Energy Promoters have been very busy.We had a Soccer Promotion have been very busy

Well Done Kim and Celecia. Your displays andinnovations are lovely! Keep it up!

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UPFORGRABSARE

ElliesBraai

Tongs,LED

As well as Valentines’ Dat promotion on mood lights

The NewEllies Renewable Awards

CAMPAIGN

NEWS FROM P-E

Last month we touched ever so slightly on our Solar Panels on the roof. We asked Marius Basson who heads our Renewable Energy Depart-ment to tell us a bit more about what is happening on our roof!

“Ellies Port Elizabeth took a step in the right direction becoming Energy E�cient in November 2012. Ellies PE started the process by installing a 17 Kilowatt Photovoltaic system that Generates Electricity utilising Sun Power.A considerable amount of research was done before commencing with the project. When director Grant Davis gave the green light, the Renewable Energy Team at Ellies PE immediately got to work.The team started by first reinforcing the roof of the building, as the building is very old and the team wanted to make sure that possible damage caused by elements of nature, such as wind and rain is kept to a minimum

An aluminium substructure was placed on the roof onto which the PV panels were fixed and wired into a 17Kw SMA inverter.

This system was connected to the ESKOM grid and on 20 December 2012 the system went “live”. The system generated 3.3 Mega Watt of electricity over a period of 30 days, proving the importance of solar technology in SA. Up to date we can boast an amount of 6.26 Mega Watts generated.

Clients can now come to the Ellies building and see for themselves what to expect from a structure and perfor-mance point of view before making the big decision to spend money on some-thing as costly as a PV system;Stats; Equipment used: 80 x 220w Mono PV Panels (Solar World)1 x SMA 17kw inverterEstimated Savings: Over 25 years – R 3 310 061 (based on 10% annual increase)CO2 emissions saved: Over 25 years – 672 tons (factor – 0.911kg/kwh)Annual insolation: 2190 kwh/m2/pa – (this means that 2,190 megawatt of electricity per year can be generated o� each square meter of roof space available.)”

Service Records for January, February, March, Thank you for your support and commitment!

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HR…broadcasting live, passionate about bringing you news, no matter where you are… .

Patricia Peter 19 YearsVino Naidoo 18 yearsNik Witbooi 16 yearsBelinda Swart 15 yearsSean Currin 7 yearsSonja Basson 7 yearsNicole Green 7 yearsAndrew Peter 7 yearsMarius Basson 6 years

Solar Techonology proves itselfon a Rooftop