The government have announced $2.1m in funding for portable solar tech (‘pop-up solar’), as per an announcement from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) last Thursday. This represents a step in the right direction in terms of replacing ‘dirty’ and expensive diesel generators with (for the most part) clean, portable energy solutions in rural and fringe-of-grid areas. These portable solar generators will be manufactured by a company called SunSHIFT, which has been established by Laing O’Rourke.
SunSHIFT Portable Solar by Laing O’Rourke
The money has been invested in a new technology which combines a PV system with battery storage. The system is also complemented by a diesel/gas generator as a backup energy source. The SunSHIFT portable solar machines will be modular 1MW blocks which could be used, initially, in tandem with conventional energy generation. ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht noted in the AFR that this mobile solar tech could be particularly useful for short-medium term projects, where the relatively long payback period of solar energy would not be feasible.
“Projects that only last a handful of years, like construction and mining operations, could benefit from SunSHIFT without having to rely on the typical 20-plus year payback period for solar installations,” Frischknecht said.
The SunSHIFT blocks have also been lauded by Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg who was quoted as saying “This innovation means several locations can benefit from a single plant, without any one site needing to commit to a permanent installation.”
SunSHIFT Technical Specifications and more information.
- Each 1MW block will contain 2400 (435kw) solar panels.
- Each panels/inverter/transformer/storage unit will occupy ~1.25ha
- Designed to fit in shipping containers.
- Cost less than providing diesel power to regional sites (the transportation of diesel fuel can run up to 30% of cost of energy)
- Targeted at mining companies.
- Buy-out option available.
- Click here to read a fact sheet from SunSHIFT about their product.
