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Test Project
A very challenging project punctuated by sweeping mountains and clandestine panoramic views. One of our favourites yet. We cannot wait to work with them again.
The Harrington Farm precinct had long been identified as a prime candidate for renewable energy transition, with its expansive north-facing roof structures and minimal shading across the 4.2-hectare site. Following an initial feasibility assessment conducted in early 2024, stakeholders agreed that a staged solar installation would deliver the most cost-effective outcome, allowing the existing grid connection infrastructure to be upgraded incrementally without disrupting day-to-day agricultural operations. Energy consumption data collected over 18 months prior to the project revealed peak demand periods concentrated between 6am and 2pm — a profile exceptionally well-suited to solar generation.
The installation comprises 312 monocrystalline panels across three separate arrays, with a combined capacity of 124.8 kW peak. A 98 kWh battery storage system was integrated into the design to capture excess midday generation and offset evening loads, reducing reliance on grid draw to an estimated 18% of total annual consumption. All works were carried out in compliance with AS/NZS 4777 grid connection standards, with network approval granted by the local DNSP prior to energisation. The system is expected to offset approximately 178 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions annually, contributing directly to the landowner's broader sustainability commitments under their 2030 carbon reduction plan.
The project was delivered across four distinct phases, beginning with a comprehensive site audit and load analysis carried out by the design team in consultation with the facility manager. Shadow mapping software was used to model seasonal shading patterns across all roof surfaces, informing the final panel layout and string configuration. Structural assessments of the existing roof were completed concurrently, identifying two sections requiring minor reinforcement before mounting hardware could be installed. All findings were consolidated into a detailed design package, which was submitted for network approval and building permit sign-off before any physical works commenced.
On-site installation was completed over eleven days by a crew of six accredited electricians and solar installers, working in two teams to progress the rooftop array and electrical infrastructure simultaneously. Racking systems were fixed directly to the purlin structure, with flashing and sealants applied to all penetration points in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Inverter and battery equipment was mounted in the existing plant room, with DC cabling run through dedicated conduit to maintain separation from other services. Upon completion of installation, the system underwent a full commissioning process including insulation resistance testing, polarity checks, and a witnessed export limiting test conducted in the presence of the network distributor's representative before the system was granted permission to operate.
Some seriously special guys over at OPR Solar!
Some Specific Client
Since energisation in September 2024, the system has performed consistently above the projected yield modelled during the design phase, generating 142 MWh in its first nine months of operation against a forecast of 134 MWh for the same period. Self-consumption rates have averaged 74%, with the battery storage system proving particularly effective in shifting excess midday generation into the evening peak, reducing grid import costs during the highest tariff window. The facility's quarterly electricity bills have fallen from an average of $8,400 to $1,950, representing a reduction in energy expenditure of approximately 77% year-on-year. Payback on the total installed cost of $218,000 is now projected at 6.2 years — ahead of the original 7.1-year estimate provided at the time of investment approval.
The broader financial returns have reinforced the case for expanding the installation to the remaining roof sections identified during the initial feasibility study. Over a 25-year system life, the net present value of the investment is estimated at $412,000, assuming a conservative 3% annual increase in grid electricity tariffs and accounting for a standard panel degradation rate of 0.5% per year. The project has also generated 143 large-scale generation certificates (LGCs) to date, providing an additional revenue stream currently valued at approximately $4,900. Stakeholders have cited the outcome as a flagship example within their portfolio, and the project has since been submitted for consideration in the 2025 Clean Energy Council Excellence Awards.
