Every solar array starts with the first panel even one thats over 2000 panels.
Construction on the country’s largest solar panel roof is underway with the first of over 2000 panels installed. The equivalent of 14 netball courts of solar panels will power Foodstuffs’ new North Island support centre, and is scheduled for completion by Christmas. The panels will be placed on Foodstuffs’ distribution centre, which is located near Auckland International Airport.
It is great to see this type of commercial installation. Congrats to Revolve Energy . Its a further endorsement of Solar as an investment that not only provides power for facilities but a solid return for the investment
The first panel on what is to become New Zealand’s largest solar panel roof was installed on Tuesday.
Technically known as a photovoltaic (PV) array, the system is made up of 2915 solar panels covering a total area of about 6000 square metres, which would be enough to power 213 average-sized new homes.
For reference
A new home use in kWh is 7000/year, then 213 homes, 1491000, i.e. about 1.5 GWh/year.
To drive in kms an EV car is 6 km/kWh, then 8800000 kms, 1466666 i.e. about 1.5 GWh/year.
If kWh per square metre per year is 255, then 6000 sqm’s of pvs, 1530000, i.e. about 1.5 GWh/year.
Foodstuffs is behind the initiative which will power its new distribution centre in south Auckland.
Rowles said the “major” solar panel installation was the first of its kind in terms of scale in the country, and was in line with its work towards being a more sustainable business. The new 74,886sqm distribution centre will consolidate three existing North Island centres onto one site. The solar panels will generate enough electricity a year to drive 8.8 million kilometres in an electric car, Rowles said.
The solar farm will generate enough energy to power 213 average New Zealand homes.
Any excess electricity will be sold into the national grid.
Simon Wilson, of RDT Pacific, the director and sustainable development adviser for the project, said the fact the system was economically viability for Foodstuffs signalled that a turning point in the industry had been reached. “As a major electricity consumer, Foodstuffs has obvious purchasing leverage [but] the solar option still stacks up. For this reason, this renewable energy solution should be attractive to many more businesses.”