Reducing running costs as well as emissions reduction were Maitland City Councils initial focus reasons for wanting to install a 57kW Commercial Solar Power system at the council works depot in 2019.

This system was connected alongside the already existing 20kW system that was installed sometime in 2010 and takes advantage of the very large available roof space at this site which houses a lot of the council’s vehicles.

Since commissioning this massive 77kW system the council has joined on with the Cities power Partnership to reduce emissions even further, an initiative of the Australian Climate Council that seeks to celebrate and accelerate green energy and the sustainability of Australian towns and cities. The Hunter is the first region in Australia with all councils signed up.

This new 57kW system includes three SMA Sunny Tripower Inverters and three separate solar arrays across different buildings on site. The solar arrays total 141 SunPower Performance Series 405W Solar modules.

Solar Power Australia has continued relationships with Maitland, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Councils with systems adding up to over 150kW of installed solar capacity and 70+kWh of Battery capacity with more in the pipeline!