Solar power keeps agricultural manufacturer competitive

Yingli Green Energy, the solar PV manufacturer known as Yingli Solar, has supplied Burder Industries with a 355 kWp solar PV system through its distribution partner, EnviroGroup. Burder Industries is a regional manufacturer that produces customised tractor and earthmoving equipment for the agricultural industry.

Burder Industries competes directly with imported equipment for the agricultural industry that is produced overseas at a lower cost, and thus needed to reduce its operating costs to increase competitiveness and protect local jobs in the regional area. As a large user of electricity, the company saw solar power as an effective solution to reduce costs.

Its facility in Wangaratta, Victoria, has now been equipped with 1420 250 W YGE High Efficiency Polycrystalline Yingli Solar PV panels. The installation will generate approximately 467 MWh of solar energy per year and it is expected to provide for 90% of the company’s daily energy consumption.

“While making the switch to solar has been a large capital investment for our business, we see it as a wise investment decision,” said Adam Fendyk, General Manager, Burder Industries. “Turning to solar power will be critical to the long-term success of our business as it will enhance our domestic competitiveness and the longevity of our operations.”

Solar power will reduce the company’s electricity costs by over 70% each year and provide a 25-year hedge against future electricity price increases. This will reduce Burder Industries’ carbon footprint by up to 607 tonnes annually; the equivalent of taking 145 cars off the road. The company’s investment in solar PV is expected to generate an IRR of over 25% annually.

“Solar power is a vital for energy-intensive companies like Burder Industries as it will help to reduce their operating costs and carbon footprint,” said Daman Cole, Managing Director for Yingli Green Energy in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. “A quality solar photovoltaic system plays a vital role in ensuring their investment in solar pays off over the expected lifetime of a system and reduces their potential of experiencing bill shocks.”

EnviroGroup, a specialist provider of renewable energy products and systems, managed all aspects of the project including solar power system design, installation, high-voltage connection design and upgrade, 500 kVA substation sourcing and installation, grid connection and metering. Fendyk said EnviroGroup “surpassed our expectations, completing a neat and professional installation within a short time frame, without disruption to our business operations”.