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Wiluna Horticulture Site Remote Solar and Storage

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Australian farmers are increasingly turning to renewable energy technologies to cut their power costs and shore up their bottom lines. Wiluna Horticultural site is located in a regional community 1,047km North East of Perth in Western Australia.

Balance was selected by key Wiluna stakeholders to supply this photovoltaic (PV) and energy storage system due to our unique capability to couple PV systems with the latest energy storage technology in remote locations. Following a severe storm, the site was left without power. The interconnection to the utility grid that powers the township of Wiluna was destroyed, prompting action for renewable energy resource. The cost of reinstating the connection to the grid was calculated to be a costly exercise and presented power reliability issues due to the isolation of the Wiluna Township.

Location:
Wiluna, Western Australia (1047km North East of Perth)
Project:
Off-Grid PV and Energy Storage
Solution:
35kWp of PV Modules 40kWh Li battery energy storage system
Commissioned:
October 2016
Wiluna Horticulture Site Remote Solar and Storage
Balance Solution

Balance Solution

The system comprises 35kWp of PV Modules and an SMA/BYD energy storage system to provide over 80% of the sites’ power demand throughout the year. A diesel generator has been coupled with the system to ensure the site is powered during instances where the battery state of charge is below its minimum threshold and no power can be sought from the PV array i.e. cloud cover. Three solar bore pumps were also installed to reticulate water to the site throughout the year. This project was government funded and Balance provide support for mandatory reporting.
Results

Results

The major benefit of the new off-grid system is to enable the site caretakers to harness the sun’s energy to provide the much-needed water and power required to grow crops and sustain livestock.

Additional benefits for the site is the creation of new employment opportunities as well as their ability to offer cheaper food supply to the township and local fringe Aboriginal communities.
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+61 8 6477 9888

info@balgroup.com.au