Barossa Vintners welcomes South Australia’s largest winery solar array

Barossa Vintners has become home to the largest commissioned solar PV array at a South Australian winery.

Officially commissioned today by South Australian Senator Anne McEwen, the 90kW solar array at the Tanunda-based winery also represents the fifth largest rooftop solar generator in the state.

The project, which received dollar for dollar funding of $90,206 from AusIndustry through the Federal Government’s Clean Technology Investment Program, has been installed at Barossa Vintners by leading commercial solar integrator, The Solar Project.

Barossa Vintners’ manager Keith Ward says the new solar system will have economic and environmental benefits for the business.

“This massive solar array will reduce the winery’s site-wide carbon emissions intensity by approximately 22% and result in annual savings of around $26,000 in energy and maintenance costs,” he said.

“We see it as a way to do our bit for the environment in terms of harnessing renewable energy, while at the same time significantly reducing our ongoing electricity costs.”

South Australian Senator Anne McEwen said: “The Federal Labor Government congratulates Barossa Vintners for having the foresight to apply for funding through the Clean Technology Investment Program, and for working in partnership with The Solar Project to establish the largest solar array at a South Australian winery,” she said.

“Applications for the Clean Technology Investment Program are still open, and I would encourage those interested to visit www.ausindustry.gov.au for more information.”

Adelaide-based The Solar Project’s co-founder and director of sales and business development David Buetefuer says Barossa Vintners is one of a growing number of businesses turning to solar to reduce their power bills.

“Unlike the market for residential solar panels on homes, commercial-scale solar remains relatively untapped in Australia with the majority of businesses still failing to capitalise on the benefits of using renewable energy to power their companies,” he said.

“As the proportion of energy use from renewable means continues to rise in Australia, The Solar Project is helping businesses tackle increasing electricity costs by providing a cleaner and more cost-effective energy solution.

“We want to help companies reduce their demand on the national electricity grid, and just as importantly, help them save thousands of dollars every year on their power bills.”

Mr Buetefuer says the Barossa Vintners solar array is a landmark initiative for South Australian wineries.

“This is a sound environmental and business decision by Barossa Vintners,” said Mr Buetefuer, who with business partner Theo Strecker has also overseen solar PV projects for Flemington Racecourse, the Adelaide Showgrounds and the Port Stanvac Desalination Plant.

“We’re already working with several other wineries across Australia to install similar solar systems, including De Bortoli Wines in New South Wales which later this year will commission a 230kW array at its Griffith operations in the south-west of the state.”

The Solar Project is developing an outstanding reputation as a specialist solar PV system integrator with expertise in project development, engineering and design, remote area execution, retrofit, building integration and greenfield solar farms for commercial clients.

“Business owners and the corporate sector want durable, high quality turn-key solutions that are reliable, and which most importantly, reduce their electricity costs over the long term,” he said, adding that the company only uses quality solar photovoltaic panels from leading global manufacturers such as Hanwha Q Cells.

“Designing an industrial grade solution means the standard of components we use must be significantly more robust than the common residential solar panels you see on many Australian homes.

“In fact, our quality systems are so stringent that more than 95% of the solar panels currently available in the Australian market don’t meet our commercial requirements.”

For more information visit www.thesolarproject.com.au

FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact
David Buetefuer, The Solar Project co-founder and Director of Sales and Business Development, on (08) 8260 8230

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Please contact
Kieran Hall on (08) 8412 4100 or kieran@hughespr.com.au