William Creek, Australia – a town about nine hours north of the city of Adelaide – has made the shift from diesel generation to solar, in a move that has slashed the town’s energy costs with no capital outlay. At the gateway to the Simpson Desert, William Creek has a population of just 50, but it hosts approximately 26,000 tourists each year. Previously the town was 100% reliant on diesel generation, but is now powered by a 200 kW ground-mounted solar array coupled with a 280 kWh battery energy storage system.
Juice Capital, which financed the project as part of a long-term commercial power purchase agreement (PPA), said the off-grid system, which went live in November 2022, has supported in the town’s ambition to be self-sufficient and sustainable while significantly reducing its power bill. Juice Capital Commercial Sales Manager Dan Howard said the town’s previous diesel-generated power was priced at approximately AUD 1.20 ($0.81) per kilowatt-hour. Now the town purchases its electricity for $0.287 per kilowatt-hour.
“We are really proud of this project as it has bridged a gap between the outback and grid-connected towns,” he said. “Communities like William Creek have been left to fend for themselves when it comes to delivering their own energy. To power a town like this using only diesel was expensive. They now have an option.”
Designed and developed in conjunction with Adelaide-headquartered engineering firm MyEnergy, the William Creek renewable energy system comprises 330 Trina solar modules and 135 kVa of Victron Energy Quattro inverters DC coupled using Victron 450/200 smart solar chargers and AC coupled using Fronius International ECO inverters. This is partnered with 280 kWh of energy storage provided by Pylon Technologies’ US5000 batteries. The system is remotely controlled using technology provided by Victron Energy.
Howard said one of the key challenges associated with the William Creek project is the “sheer remoteness” of the location.
“William Creek is one of the most remote communities in Australia,” he said. “There is over 300 kilometers of dirt road to get there.”
Juice Capital will own, operate, and maintain the solar and battery power plant on behalf of William Creek for the life of the asset, which is one of a growing portfolio the company has throughout Australia. The Sydney-headquartered company said it has more than 350 on-site solar power plants with a combined capacity of more than 15 MW operating on commercial business sites in all states and territories.
Howard said the company’s solutions include solar systems, grid energy, storage and emerging energy technologies.
“Our customers are SME’s, farmers, hospitality, and a broad range of service businesses,” he said. “We help business reduce their carbon footprint, save money and work toward their net zero goals without the use of their own capital.”
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