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Warrnambool is now home to one of Australia’s largest floating solar arrays.
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The new system at the Brierly Bason off Moore Street features 1260 bi-facial solar panels, which will generate more than 600,000 kilowatt hours of renewable electricity each year.
Wannon Water managing director Steven Waterhouse said the project would help reduce the significant energy costs associated with pumping water from the basin to the Warrnambool Water Treatment Plant.
“Projects like this help us use energy more efficiently and keep costs down, which means better value for our customers,” Mr Waterhouse said.
The panels capture sunlight from above as well as reflected light from the water surface, increasing the efficiency of the system.
Brierly Basin plays an important role in Warrnambool’s drinking water supply. It’s used as a holding storage for water sourced from the Gellibrand River in the Otways and is supplemented by water captured from the Warrnambool roof water harvesting system.
Water from the basin is pumped to the treatment plant, where it’s disinfected and made safe for drinking and food preparation before being distributed to homes, businesses and industries across Warrnambool, Koroit and Allansford.
The floating solar system will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 600 tonnes each year, supporting Wannon Water’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2030.
Mr Waterhouse said the project was another important step in reducing Wannon Water’s environmental footprint.
“It’s a practical way to cut emissions while continuing to provide safe and reliable water services for our community.”
Previous projects that are helping the water corporation meet the challenges of climate change include a wind turbine to power Portland’s water and sewage treatment plants, solar arrays on its Gateway Road office and water treatment plants in Warrnambool and Hamilton, and a landmark carbon offset project.
September 29, 2022: Australia’s largest floating solar array is being installed in Warrnambool under a $1.4 million Wannon Water plan to save money on its power bills and lower emissions.
More than 1200 of the latest bi-facial solar panels will be mounted on top of pontoons and floated on the surface of the water at the Brierly Basin off Moore Street.
Brierly Basin uses a large amount of electricity to pump water to the Warrnambool Water Treatment Plant, and the solar panels are designed to harvest light from both sides to increase the system’s efficiency and make them easier to maintain.
Wannon Water chair Jacinta Ermacora said the project was part of its commitment to keep water prices as low as possible.
Minister for Water Harriet Shing officially announced the project on Thursday and said it would significantly reduce power costs and reduce emissions by more than 600 tonnes per year.
The 500-kilowatt floating array will be Wannon Water’s largest system and follows the installation of a 250- kilowatt system at the Warrnambool Water Treatment Plant and two 100-kilowatt systems at the Hamilton Water Treatment Plant and at the Gateway Road corporate office.
More than 400 floating solar PV systems have been installed worldwide but this will be the first of its type for the Australian water sector.
Ms Shing said as the state continued to slash emissions at the rate of almost double the target and the water sector was leading the way.
She also announced a $250,000 grant for the Camperdown Regional Livestock Exchange for a rainwater capture and re-use project which is expected to cost about $1.3 million.
As part of the project, a roof will be installed over the saleyards that will capture stormwater in two 375,000-litre storage tanks.
This project will harvest around 3.5 megalitres of rainwater annually which will be used within the livestock exchange and truck wash in replacement of their potable water supply.
Ms Shing said by adopting an integrated water management approach that champions collaboration, we would continue to find smarter ways to manage our water supplies.
“This project will allow Camperdown livestock exchange to save money on its water bills and capture precious stormwater for productive use, while ensuring our waterways stay healthy for people, plants and animals,” she said.
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