SolarMax system provides club with energy savings

SolarMax has announced the installation of its solar inverters at Yass Soldiers Club, a regional NSW community venue. SolarMax reseller Ygrene Energy worked with the club to install a 100 kW system that includes seven SolarMax 15MT2 inverters (each with 15 kW output power) to convert the direct current from solar panels into alternating current for use across the site.

The club has faced a 40% increase in energy costs in the last three years, which was the catalyst to invest in commercial solar generation infrastructure, according to General Manager John Weir.

“Making a long-term investment in a sustainable future was critical for the club,” Weir said. “We were looking at an expected electricity bill of $200,000 for 2013-14 and that is just not sustainable if we want the venue to continue to grow alongside the community.”

Weir expects the solar installation to absorb 20-25% of the club’s annual energy needs and to have paid for itself within five years. He also expects its output to increase during the long days of summer, driving further seasonal savings.

Yass Soldiers Club plays an important role in its community and is the supporting fabric for many grassroots organisations, providing a venue for meals, drinks, meetings, functions and live performances. Thus, the club’s decision to invest in solar energy was a financial one, as the money saved would be reinvested back into the local community.

Weir said the solar investment could be a good option for other clubs and commercial businesses across regional Australia.

“There hasn’t been a downside to this investment for us. The installation was seamless and the system has been perfect. I’m delighted to have a quality SolarMax solution that not only facilitates the conversion of our energy from DC to AC, but also helps monitor how much solar energy we are consuming.”

SolarMax 15MT2 inverters are highly efficient string inverters that are suitable for medium-sized home installations or major industrial projects. With a Euro efficiency of 97.5%, SolarMax MT series inverters achieve maximum DC voltages of up to 900 V to enable longer strings, reducing cable losses and expenses.

Yass Soldiers Club uses the MaxWeb Portal for checking usage through remote monitoring via a data logger. The portal provides fault messages and other data to guarantee continuous and smooth operation of an installation.