Solar solution for remote sanctuary

When looking for a rooftop solar installation solution for its new microgrid project, South Australia’s Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary chose S-5!, a US-based company specialising in metal roof attachment solutions. The microgrid has been designed and installed by off-grid specialist Apex Energy in order to securely power the site’s scientific and environmental research for decades to come.

Located 600 km north of Adelaide in the northern Flinders Ranges, the 610 km² Arkaroola site, which has strong Indigenous significance, was established as a wilderness sanctuary in 1968 by the Sprigg family, who continue to operate it with an emphasis on science, education and conservation. Arkaroola showcases unique wilderness, almost 2 billion years of geological history and world-class dark skies for astronomical observation.

Backed by a $1.3 million grant from the Australian Government, the microgrid project will power the entire location, which also includes a joint US-operated observatory.

The Arkaroola microgrid will be powered in part by a 61.6 kilowatt (peak) rooftop solar system on the sanctuary’s Mawson Lodge. In planning and designing the solar system, Apex Energy carefully considered the need for a strong yet lightweight mounting system, which would both protect the aging substructure of the building and be reliable enough to stand the test of time, as future replacement or maintenance at the remote site would carry a high cost. The selection of the S-5! PVKIT rail-less solar mounting system was the obvious solution, cutting installation costs by 25%.

“The S-5! PVKIT offered the perfect solution for the Arkaroola microgrid,” said Sean LePoidevin, Project Manager at APEX Energy. “The ability to install this rooftop system without rails meant lower freight costs (a systems savings of 750 kg), maximising the available rooftop space for solar; an easier installation; and ultimately a reliable and better-looking, low-profile rooftop system that blends with the stunning natural landscape.”

With 20 accommodation rooms, ensuite bathrooms, kitchenettes, TVs and reverse-cycle air-conditioning units, Mawson Lodge’s total power consumption can be considerable both during the winter peak season, when temperatures drop to near freezing, and in summer when temperatures can reach up to 40°C. This made it important to make full use of available roof space by including as many panels as possible.

Providing a faster and easier installation than a traditional rail system, the S-5! PVKIT along with the RibBracket attachment turned the roof into a canvas, allowing panels to be installed anywhere on the roofing sheet, not just on roof purlins. The ability to design a landscape-oriented system enabled Apex Energy to maximise the roof space and meant the array could be expanded by 7.3% to an impressive 61.6 kWp of generation capacity.

“Rails are unnecessary on a metal roof,” LePoidevin said. “Once you understand how to approach cable management, it really is a more common-sense solution with a multitude of benefits, from protecting the roof to cost savings and simplified logistics and installation. It makes sense from all angles.”

The advanced microgrid has a total of four solar arrays with 120 kWh of battery storage and monitoring and control capabilities, which manage loads such as EV charging, air conditioning and hot water heating. The sanctuary had operated since the mid-1960s on diesel power, making it vulnerable to fluctuating fuel prices and road access issues, as well as presenting an ethical conflict for this conservation site.

“Being so remote, we have to generate our own electricity, and we’ve been doing that based on diesel fuel,” said Doug Sprigg, sanctuary owner. “Arkaroola’s about conservation; we really should be trying harder to move away from diesel, and that’s what we’re doing.”

The Arkaroola microgrid will add another element to the sanctuary’s education experiences, teaching visitors about remote energy technology and engineering through a display kiosk planned for the site.

Images: Supplied.