Photon to build solar plus storage unit for NSW broadcast tower

German-based solar group Photon Energy is to install a large scale solar plus battery storage hybrid power system at a telecommunications tower in New South Wales that it says could be the fore-runner of thousands of such installations across the country.

The system, to be installed at a broadcast tower operated by BAI near Muswellbrook, will provide 24/7 power through a 39kW solar array and a 215kWh battery storage installation. An 8kW diesel generator will provide standby in emergencies.

Photon Energy says once successfully tested the concept could be implemented on thousands of sites across Australia.

Michael Gartner, the head of Photon Energy‘s Australian operations, said the project was a great step forward“ for solar power to provide clean and economically viable power supply for remote sites.

“The potential for solar PV in the replacement of conventional energy sources is substantial and will bring cost benefits and emissions savings for Australia in the coming years and decades.“

“… We can show how to incorporate solar PV into any given energy system and prove that using abundant sunlight for your own power consumption is the way forward.”

Funding for the project will come from the German Energy Agency known as Dena (Deutsche Energie-Agentur) and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) as part of the country’s “Made in Germany” program.

Communication towers are considered vital for entertainment, communications and in emergency situations, and must operate 24/7.

BAI, which operates one of the most extensive broadcast trasnmission networks in the world, said such technology would enable its customers to lower carbon footprints, provide cost certaintym and improved reliability.

“As a service provider that relies heavily on external market forces, it’s exciting to think that soon we’ll be able to generate much of our own power,“ BAI chief executive Jim Hassell said.

“We’re looking forward to assessing the outcomes of this project for a potential future network-wide implementation.“

The array will feature 96 solar panels, 24 BAE batteries (supplied by R+J batteries), 3 SMA inverters and a monitoring system – mostly Made in Germany.

Photon Energy says the solar PV panels were installed at a slightly higher slope than usual to maximise solar irradiation in the winter months, and the container housing the storage array is equipped with cooling unit featuring smart technology.

Dena is Germany’s centre of expertise for energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and intelligent energy systems. Its aim is to ensure that energy is used in both a national and international context as efficiently, safely and economically as possible with the least possible impact on climate.