Alice Springs Airport is rolling out the second stage of its renewable energy strategy with an expansion of its Solar Power Station. Construction on the new 325kw photovoltaic (PV) system commenced this month. The project, valued at $1.9 million, includes the installation of steel structures that will serve the dual purpose of mounting the solar panels and providing shaded, premium car parking.
AC Solar Warehouse is proud to have supplied more than 2,000 high efficiency solar modules for the project to date.
Alice Springs Airport currently receives approximately a quarter of its power needs from its existing 235kW solar power station which was completed in 2010. The additional 996 panels, which will cover half the existing long term car park, will more than double the airport’s capacity to produce its own power and will offset the equivalent of 420 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Alice Springs Airport General Manager Katie Cooper said the airport is continually finding ways of becoming more energy efficient, and projects like this one are at the heart of a long-term strategy.
“This investment represents our commitment to further develop our solar energy capability, and it’s exciting to see it coming to fruition,” she said. “The extra PV panels will produce enough energy to power 90 homes for a year, which is a significant contribution to our electricity demand.
“The innovative design means we can also improve our parking facilities and offer shaded areas as an additional choice for our customers.”
The panels that have been chosen for the installation are BenQ mono-crystalline modules, which were selected for their superior performance in high heat as well as their black appearance, which reduces glare. The shade structures have been designed to accommodate most of the vehicles we’re used to seeing in Central Australia — four wheel drives complete with roof racks will have no problems fitting underneath.
Local company Sitzler has been appointed as contractor for the project, which is expected to be completed in September.