PROJECTS: Solar PV for Australia Post

Photon Energy has installed a 284 kilowatts peak solar photovoltaic system at Australia Post's headquarters in Strawberry Fields, New South Wales.

The installation at StarTrack House was completed over three months and includes 1,051 x Yingli Solar panels with n-type silicon technology.

According to Yingli Solar, the system is forecast to produce 370 megawatt hours of electricity per annum and reduce electricity costs by over $65,000 each year, based on today’s prices.

Having identified electricity usage as one of their key contributors toward their carbon footprint, Australia Post looked towards solar PV as a way of improving the building’s 2.5 Stars NABERS energy rating to 5 Stars in the most cost-effective manner, according to Yingli Solar.

Yingli Green Energy in Australia Managing Director Daman Cole said, “Solar power is important for businesses like Australia Post who are looking to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and to minimise their carbon footprint.

“Yingli Solar’s proprietary n-type silicon technology, known as PANDA, is ideal for maximising energy yield, especially for buildings wishing to push the envelope.”

Australia Post’s Head of Environmental Sustainability Andrew Sellick, said, “We’re striving to become leaders in environmental sustainability, driving clean energy and efficiency initiatives across our 1,200 facilities and StarTrack House is a key example of this.”

Photon Energy Australia Co-Founder and Managing Director Michael Gartner said “Solar power has become a have-to-have because it not only achieves energy efficiency targets but also reduces facility energy costs.

“Solar PV is now an integral part of the energy mix and Photon Energy prides itself in providing the maximum benefits of solar for its customers over the whole lifecycle.”