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Solar Train on the rails in Byron Bay

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A world first in Byron Bay this week – the world’s first ‘true’ solar train will run on a 3km section of the now disused Casino-Murwillimbah line, linking the Byron Bay town centre with the Elements of Byron resort north-west of Byron. It’ll be delivered within the next week or so. 

Byron Bay Solar Train

Byron Bay Solar Train
Byron Bay Solar Train (source: byronbaytrain.com.au)

Funnily enough, in an apt sign of the times with regards to the shift to renewables Australia is currently experiencing, the Elements of Byron resort is owned by coal businessman Brian Flannery. He also owns the solar train company itself – a not for profit named The Byron Bay Railroad Co. 

Solar panels have been used to power train lights before, but the Byron Bay Railroad Co. say their train will be the first to run purely on solar power. The 100-seat train will also have a diesel motor as a backup. 

It’s currently being sent from Lithgow, the train has had eArche solar panels and battery storage installed. The eArche panels were recently introduced to Australia by Chinese businessman and longtime solar power enthusiast Zhengrong Shi. They’ve been manufactured by his Hong-Kong based company SunMan Energy. 

30kW of PV Solar panels have been installed on the station and storage shed built next to the Elements of Byron resort, and the train itself will feature 6.5kW of the SunMan eArche flexible, lightweight solar panels Shi brought to the market earlier this year. This is important as the flexible panels are able to be adapted to the contour of the train so as not to interfere with its aesthetics. The train will also have 77kWh of Kokam solar batteries installed, and the timetable has been tweaked so they are able to use renewable energy at almost all times.

Nick Lake, from Nickel Energy, who consulted on the project, told RenewEconomy last week that the solar train was chosen due to community resistance to the idea of a diesel train (noise, pollution, etc.)

“There was fair bit of community resistance to the idea of a diesel train,” Lake said. “So we started exploring what the options were. We looked at how much power was needed, noted it was a flat run, and that helped size the electric motors.”

Have a look at their website by clicking here. Have you been on the Byron Bay Solar Train? Let us know in the comments, we’d love to hear about it! 

The Byron Bay Solar Train in action
The Byron Bay Solar Train in action (source: byronbaytrain.com.au)

 

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eArche Solar Panels Australian Launch

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On March 23 last week the eArche Solar Panels were finally revealed to the world.

Created by the man the industry calls the ‘Sun King’, who is also the founder of Chinese solar company Suntech, Dr Zhengrong Shi (施正荣), Energus‘ eArche panels are unique in quite a few different ways. For one, they’re far lighter than other solar panels – 100kw of rooftop solar traditionally weighs around 8 tonnes, but Energus’ offering will be able to produce the same amount of energy with only 2 tonnes of weight. They’re also semi-flexible and able to be manufactured in custom shapes; as such these panels are filling a literal gap in the market for spaces that were previously unable to house solar for shape/weight concerns.

The 110 Watt, 240 Cell Monocrystalline Modules will be available to the Australian market in the coming weeks.

At the launch Dr Shi was quoted as saying that solar panel pricing is “continuing on its downward trend” and noted there was a reduction in cost of 30% in 2016 – which will continue falling over the coming years. This trend can sometimes lead customers to think about ‘holding off’ – so it depends on your particular circumstances whether it’s worth investing now, or waiting to see what happens in the future. It’s also important to consider energy storage when you’re looking at your solar system so do your research!

eArche Solar Panels
eArche Solar Panels – source: energus.com.au 

Here are some of the other reasons we’re excited about the launch of the eArche Solar Panels:

  • Easy Transport + Installation: Cheaper to move around, easier to install – these panels represent a great economy of scale for installers and end users alike.
  • Lightweight: The eArche Solar Panels weigh up to 75% less than conventional PV solar panels – meaning installations that were previously impossible due to weight concerns (e.g. carports or factories) are now feasible.
  • Flexible: They can be customised to your unique size requirements, can be manufactured as semi-transparent, and are semi-flexible which means they’re able to fit in myriad spaces without the burden of conventional, unwieldy set dimensions.
  • Durable: The eArche panels are rated at 2400 pascals for wind and 5400 pascals for force.
  • Warranty: Energus are offering a 10 year product warranty and a 25 year linear power warranty.

If you’re interested in learning more or ordering the eArch Solar Panels then please click here and fill out the enquiry form or simply phone Energus directly on 1300 090 187.

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