Solar-powered medical device manufacturing

Cook Medical will power manufacturing processes at its Brisbane headquarters with the help of a 706 m², 99.90 kW solar panel installation - the largest of its kind in the Asia-Pacific.

“We have a roof and lots of sun, so harnessing solar power was an obvious solution to reduce costs for us and the environment,” said Barry Thomas, Cook Medical vice president and managing director of Cook Medical Australia.

“Using alternative energy to power manufacturing still isn’t mainstream, but given the benefits it’s completely logical.”

The passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar panel technology was installed in January by Positronic Solar, which recommended the custom design. Thomas noted, “We’ve chosen extremely efficient technology and the panels are now offsetting on average 30% of the power we use each day.”

“The design utilises Schneider Electric inverters and WINAICO high-efficiency PERC 280 W monocrystalline modules - some of the most advanced technology available,” said John Inglis, the director of Positronic Solar. “The panels are not only efficient even in low light, but also perform very well at high temperatures - which is of course very important here in Queensland.

“When we put in our proposal we were very honest about what was achievable and the best technology for Cook Medical’s solar panels. They appreciated our straightforward approach.”

The panels are now “offsetting on average 30% of the power we use each day”, according to Thomas. He concluded, “The investment was significant, but even so we expect our solar panels will pay for themselves within 15 years.”