Utilising environmental upgrade agreements to drive investment in solar farming

This initial feasibility and cost/benefit analysis confirmed that a microgrid ancillary/emergency solar PV system and battery storage can provide a cost-effective risk management solution to electrical services for an Australian red meat processing plant. 

In particular, the system can be constructed to provide:

•    A project which has an estimated pay-back period of 5.7 years and which is also expected to be cash flow positive from year 1
•    Load shedding technology/battery storage/operational interface controls which allows the microgrid system to provide emergency power on an uninterrupted basis for an extended period during daylight hours (presently undeveloped in commercial operations) should a major external grid failure occur
•    Economic benefits from solar energy, even in a location with low temperatures and long periods of cloud cover
•    Site integration with Hardwick’s electrical network to allow energy management and energy usage control
•    Benefits from integrated grazing management for stock grazing and shading under solar arrays.