CITY OF PERTH CASE STUDY 2011/12 ENVIRONMENT GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM Energy Made Clean EMC House Becomes A Net Energy Energy Made Clean received sponsorship of $10,000 from the City of Perth to install a
demonstration commercial scale solar photo voltaic (PV) system in their West Perth property in
Colin Street.
Main Success
Achievements
Installation of a 15kW solar PV
array in one day; and
Hosting of a CitySwitch café
series to showcase the system.
Installation of the 15kW in one day including
the screwpile footings.
Main Challenge
Delays in the shipping of essential equipment
from Spain providing important lessons for
future projects.
Project Objectives
To install a 15 kilowatt (kW) solar PV array,
using screwpile technology for footings, fixed
framing from Mecasolar, and 250W monocrystalline panels from LDK.
The Environment Grants and Sponsorship Program coordinates and help fund
environment proposals of community groups, Non-Government Organisations
(NGO’s), businesses and organisation that are aligned with the City’s environment
priorities.
CITY OF PERTH CASE STUDY 2011/12 ENVIRONMENT GRANTS AND SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM “This project has allowed a valuable demonstration of PV technology at a high visibility
site in West Perth” Dr Toby Price, EMC.
What was done
The Planning - an application to connect was
submitted to Western Power, with a turn
around time of 3 weeks to install a bidirectional
meter. Planning and heritage approval was
submitted to the City of Perth to install the
system.
The System - The system brings together
components from Spain, China and Germany
to provide a model for modular and
expandable solutions for clean energy
generation. The 15kW solar PV system is
made up of 120 panels and renders EMC
House a net energy exporter. The technology
is maximises efficiency and provides a model
for systems up to 200 times the size as the
installation at EMC House.
The Installation - The system was installed in
just one day. Array footing were achieved
through Screwpile technology; a 2m long steel
pipe with a screw thread at the end, which
when sunk into the ground provides sufficient
grounding to completely remove the need for
concrete. Galvanised steel framing was used
with simple bolted couplings. The 120 panels
were mounted in three hours, using simple clip
attachments.
Showcasing - The system will be showcased
through a CitySwitch Café Series event in
September 2012. A project report will be
available on the Energy Made Clean website
as well as a video explaining the technology
and the impact of the PV system on the power
at EMC House.
Lessons Learnt
 Screwpile footings significantly reduce
down time, as installation could be made
within minutes of screwing in the footings;
 Development applications and planning
approvals are required from both the City of
Perth and Western Power before
installation can begin. This process can
delay a project if processing times are not
factored into the planning process; and
 P r o c u r e m e n t
arrangement’s
for
internationally sourced components can
take time as they require warehousing,
customs documentation and delivery.
For more information on City of Perth’s Environment Grants and Sponsorship Program
please visit the City of Perth website www.perth.wa.gov.au/environment
For further information contact Energy Made Clean on [email protected] or
on 1300 558 687