Tag: south-west Victoria

  • Why solar didn’t work for this dairy farmer, until he added a battery and put it on wheels

    Dairy farmer Peter Mulheron in south-west Victoria struggled to find a suitable solar solution for his farm due to high electricity demand from dairy operations. After realizing the limitations of conventional rooftop solar, he installed a 105kW solar system with 241kWh of battery storage, allowing for a reliable power supply. The battery storage was crucial for meeting the continuous electricity demand of dairy operations, such as heating water for cleaning and food safety. The innovative solar and battery system was developed by PHNXX and has proven to be a successful solution for dairy farms with high electricity demand. The Mulheron dairy farm installed a pilot solar and battery storage system that exceeded expectations, providing $13,400 in savings and real-world data for designing a larger system. They now have a microgrid system with 105kW of solar and 241kWh of battery storage, which could reduce annual energy costs by over $22,000. The system is portable, housed in shipping containers, allowing for flexibility and easy deployment. Mulheron advises other farmers to measure their electricity demand and resources before investing in renewable energy systems to ensure efficiency and adaptability for the future.

    https://reneweconomy.com.au/why-solar-didnt-work-for-this-dairy-farmer-until-he-added-a-battery-and-put-it-on-wheels/