Solar mounting solutions provider Clenergy has deployed two of its fixed tilt ground-mounted products as part of a 32kW PV system powering a mobile communications antenna on a remote mountaintop in Tasmania.
Communications infrastructure owner BAI Communications has completed an upgrade to the off-grid energy system that powers the communications antenna mounted near the 1,146-metre Mount Owen near Queenstown on Tasmania’s west coast.
BAI said the project included the renewal of an existing solar energy system and its integration and a new PV array and 120 kWh battery energy storage system with its own diesel generator.
The system, supplied by the Australian arm of Netherlands-based renewables developer Photon Energy, includes a 21 kW solar panel and an adjacent 12 kW PV system, both consisting of 500 W Sunpower panels.
The largest of the systems is mounted on a SolarTerrace II-A ground-mount system from Clenergy, while the smaller array is mounted on the company’s SolarTerrace III-A product.
Clenergy said it had chosen to use the two systems to better meet the logistical challenges associated with the location.
“Due to the remote location and the challenges of getting material to site, the client wanted to use the existing foundations (steel subframe on concrete piers and ballast) from the previous ground-mounted system they had removed, for which STIII-A was perfect fit. ,” the company said. “However, they needed more excitation and that is why the STII-A was used.”
Clenergy said it customized the single-post STII-A for the project and integrated it with its Mega Anchor system, to optimize the installation process and eliminate the need for transporting large quantities of concrete over the hazardous access road.
Vince Mobilio, vice president of Clenergy, said both mounting systems delivered exceptional performance earlier this month despite a severe storm with winds of 87 mph (141 km/h).
“Designing and developing a system that can withstand the extreme wind loads at this height was a major challenge,” he said. “We are pleased to see that our robust and reliable systems are in demand for such demanding environments.”
In addition to solar energy, the newly upgraded off-grid energy system also includes a 120 kW battery energy storage solution supplied by BYD, which is linked to SMA Sunny Island inverters.
The BYD batteries replace lead-acid batteries with approximately the same capacity, but weigh approximately 10 tons. The new system weighs about half that weight.
BAI, which provides a range of services including broadcast transmission, in-building coverage, private mobile networks and Wi-Fi solutions, said the Mount Owen upgrade would significantly reduce CO2 emissions from the on-site diesel generator and also improve the safety of the employees would increase. .
“By minimizing the need for regular fuel deliveries, especially during harsh winter conditions, we not only improve operational efficiency but also prioritize the safety of our people,” the company said.
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