Bedarra Island Resort is approx. 10km south east of Mission Beach in Far North Queensland.
In 2012 Solect Energy (then Mission Beach Electrical) designed and installed an Off-Grid power station to supply daily loads of approx. 140kWh. Since then, the island has expanded its accommodation and services; consequently, loads slowly increased to approx. 300 - 340kWh per day.
In 2018, the owners of the resort decided to explore options to upgrade the power supply to not only cover the existing loads but allow for future expansion and the air-conditioning of all guest cabanas.
With this brief, Peter King started work on designing a fully automated off-grid power system using the highest quality components and equipment that would supply enough power for loads of 500-600kWh per day with minimal generator run time.
Bedarra Island Resort is approx. 10km south east of Mission Beach in Far North Queensland.
In 2012 Solect Energy (then Mission Beach Electrical) designed and installed an Off-Grid power station to supply daily loads of approx. 140kWh. Since then, the island has expanded its accommodation and services; consequently, loads slowly increased to approx. 300 - 340kWh per day.
In 2018, the owners of the resort decided to explore options to upgrade the power supply to not only cover the existing loads but allow for future expansion and the air-conditioning of all guest cabanas.
With this brief, Peter King started work on designing a fully automated off-grid power system using the highest quality components and equipment that would supply enough power for loads of 500-600kWh per day with minimal generator run time.
Selectronic, Winaico, and R&J Batteries were engaged to supply the main components: inverters, solar panels, and batteries. This decision was based on the exceptional quality of their respective products and the service and technical advice made available to us during not only the design phase but through the entire installation and commissioning process.
Selectronic Australia is an Australian owned company since 1964 based in Melbourne and manufactures the world’s best off-grid bi-directional charger/inverter. The SP Pro product is, in my opinion, by far the best off-grid inverter available, and the technical support is at the same very high level of quality.
They are also the suppliers of the Selectsun grid-tie solar inverters that are controlled by the SPPro inverters to allow for a fully automated power system. The support from Selectronic is invaluable for projects of this size, and I would like to thank Ivan Carter and Lindsay Hart in particular for assisting with both design and commissioning.
Winaico is Taiwan’s largest manufacturer of quality solar panels and is ahead of the game with ultra-modern production technology, high-quality components, and rigorous quality control.
Blair Pester heads Winaico Australia and, together with his team, were with us the whole way, providing service, information, and logistical support.
The BAE batteries were supplied by R&J Batteries who are one of Australia’s largest battery distributors and proudly 100% Australian owned. BAE batteries are a high-quality German-built and engineered battery cell. The batteries for this project were built to order in Germany, shipped to Brisbane, road freighted to Lucinda, and then barged across to the resort. Sounds easy in one sentence, and the fact it all went to plan was because of the work of Justin Scaines and his team from R&J Batteries.
Of course, we then had to install, wire, connect and commission this system, and the Solect Energy team was well and truly up to the task to provide an installation of the highest workmanship and quality. The onsite team consisted of Electricians Peter, Josh and Stuart, Carpenter Chris, trades assistant Michael, Apprentice Will, and our off-site support, admin and logistics guru was Kate. A massive effort from the team, and we are all very proud of what we have achieved.
We would also like to thank Supply Partners and, in particular, Andrew Simpson for the timely supply and delivery of major components and technical assistance and Haymans Innisfail for their support in supplying the balance of system components.
Thank you to the owners of Bedarra Island Resort for the trust instilled in Solect Energy to design and install this remarkable system.
Main System components:
350 x Winaico WSP-340MX 340W solar panels 119kW PV (130 more panels to be installed) for a total of 163.2 kW PV
3 x Selectsun 20kW 3 Phase Grid-Tie inverters (1 more to be installed with extra panels)
2 x Selectsun 40kW 3 Phase Grid-Tie inverters
6 x Selectronic SPLC1202 20kW SP PRO series 2 Inverter/Charger
240 x BAE 26 PVV 4940 2V battery cells – 2.22 mWh storage @ C72 – 56.4 Tonnes
1 x Himoinisa 180kVa 3 Phase silenced diesel generator