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The Arkaroola Microgrid Project: Successful Remote Solar Install with PVKIT®

Maximising Roof Space and Minimising Freight Costs with a Rail-Less PV System.

Case Studies / Arkaroola Microgrid
LOCATION Flinders Ranges, SA, Australia
INDUSTRY Commercial
CUSTOMER Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary
PRODUCT CERTIFICATIONS ICC-ES | IAPMO Solar |FPA HVHZ| UL2703 | ULc | UL3741 | LA County | Sunnova AVL |

The Challenge

To power the sanctuary throughout its high season, it was important to cover the entire roof space with as many solar panels as possible, thereby maximising solar generation capacity. In addition, the Mawson Lodge presented a challenge to installer APEX Energy due to the age and engineering of the substructure—it was not ideal for the adherence of a traditional racking solar system.

This made it critical for the solar mounting solution to be strong yet lightweight to withstand potential wind uplift and minimise stress on the building structure. Any materials transported to the site needed to be compact, lightweight and reliable enough to stand the test of time, as future replacement or maintenance would carry a high cost.

Project Stats

The use of native timber and natural moss rock is harmonious with the rustic mountain rural and local architecture. Corten steel (sometimes known as weathered steel) also provides a rustic appearance to the building exterior. The office features a pre-painted Galvalume® Drexel Metals 24-gauge, low-gloss black PVDF standing seam roof supported by hand-peeled log trusses and was rollformed onsite using a New Tech Machinery roof panel machine.

420

PVKIT solar mounts

 

360

RibBracket attachments

4

Buildings powered 

The Solution

Installer APEX Energy utilized the S-5! PVKIT® – a rail-less solar mounting solution – along with the RibBracket™ attachment, providing a simple, secure method to direct attachment onto the ribs of the metal roof.

Providing a faster and easier installation than a traditional rail system, S-5! turns the roof into a canvas, allowing panels to be installed anywhere on the roof.

The compact and lightweight nature of the S-5! mounting solution reduced the load on the roof by 750 kilograms compared to traditional racking.

61.6 kWp

Project size

100 %

Renewable energy

7.3 %

More solar capacity

 

Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary - Image 1
Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary - Image 2

The S-5! PVKIT offered the perfect solution for the Arkaroola Microgrid. The ability to install this rooftop system without rails meant lower freight costs, maximising the available roof for solar, easier installation, and ultimately a reliable and better-looking rooftop system that blends with the stunning natural landscape. Rails are unnecessary on a metal roof, and once you understand how to approach cable management, it really is a more commonsense solution with a multitude of benefits, from protecting the roof to cost savings and simplified logistics and installation. It makes sense from all angles.”

Sean LePoidevin,

| Project Manager, APEX Energy

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