Building-mounted solar panel system to be established

Australia's largest building-mounted solar panel system will be installed at the Crowne Plaza Alice Springs following approval of a $3 million photovoltaic (PV) installation. The project will see 13 solar arrays — comprising over 1300 individual PV solar modules — mounted on the roof of the hotel.

Due for completion in early 2009, the combined solar arrays will generate over 530,000 kWh per year, which is enough to power more than 60 family homes. It will provide 40–80% of the hotel's power requirements depending on the time of year.

The project is a joint initiative between the owner of Crowne Plaza Alice Springs, Investnorth, and the Australian government. The initiative is part of the Alice Solar City Project — one of the seven cities selected for funding under the Australian government's $94 million Solar Cities Program.

"With this project, our intent is to minimise the hotel's environmental impact and carbon footprint by making the property more energy efficient and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, following a comprehensive eco-audit we conducted in late 2007. This audit highlighted the enormous potential offered by the hotel's location to make a substantial difference to its impact on the natural environment," Investnorth principal Lloyd Berger said.

"We will also be making efforts to engage our guests with the project's benefits. For example, a solar PV channel will link each guest room's television to a real-time explanation of energy savings, as will an animated LCD in the hotel foyer. Both will draw data from the rooftop solar arrays to demonstrate current power output, total energy generated and equivalent greenhouse gas emissions saved."

Other recommendations made during the eco-audit that will be implemented by the hotel include the installation of solar hot water, decommissioning of steam boilers and replacement of inefficient lights and fittings throughout the hotel.

"At a local level, the project will assist in reducing the total load on the Alice Springs town grid by about 0.5%, or 250 of the 50,000 kW maximum generated in the middle of summer," said Lyndon Frearson, senior project manager with CAT Projects, the organisation managing the project.

According to Alice Solar City general manager Brian Elmer, the project will be the first of several large-scale solar installations scheduled to be established in the region over the next few years, which will continue to reduce the city's reliance on fossil fuels and reduce its carbon footprint.

The Australian company providing the solar PV panels for the system, SunPower Corporation Australia, will also be responsible for its installation over a 10-week period, employing a minimum of 12 local contractors. In addition, the overall project will inject more than $450,000 into the local economy.

The project will also provide local electrical apprentices and professionals with an opportunity to gain experience on grid-connected PV systems, enhancing their ability to gain further work within the renewable industry in Central Australia.