Solar Power

Latest News

Business Champion: LIM, KoonTin (KT)

SomerVille Ecovillage™ will use photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate AC power for its needs. These panels will be centralised into a larger village wide array system and each individual home within each cluster may also install additional rooftop PV's or BIPV (Building Integrated PVs) apart from being connected to this central system. Supply options for Somervillians are available in the building guidelines, including having their solar panels located at the park instead of on the their rooftops.

Informative metering and data logging facilities are also planned for each household to monitor, understand and manage their own usage levels. Excess power produced will be credited accordingly.

The other zones within the SomerVille village like the commercial and industrial zones will also be powered via PV solar panels. The community centre is now at architectural design stage with solar glass being planned for the north facing louvres and glass facades, apart from the more conventional PV panels planned for the office building/walkway rooftops.

It is anticipated that a 100kw central PV system will be installed village wide. This system will be grid connected to the local Western Power SWIS network and it is anticipated that SomerVille Ecovillage™ will be nett exporters of electrical power.

As of October 2008, discussions on the design brief have been completed and RFQs (request for quote) are being made with potential suppliers. Potential suppliers can also use this brief to initiate discussions for the formulation of proposals especially for the solar farm. Infrastructure for power reticulation and the MSB for solar feed-in has now completed its tender stage.

More information on the PV solar power system can be obtained from K.T. Lim who is the Principal for GEMCO, the SomerVille Enterprise responsible for project managing and subsequently maintaining this village wide solar power system.

You can contact KT at kt@greenedge.org

The central PV system may look similar to the system at Carnarvon (above top) or Kalbarri (above)

Solar panels on your home within your cluster may look similar to (below) or a roof integrated system similar to ETC at Murdoch University (above).

Flexible amorphous panels for community building is a possibility.

The Maps below show the lot layouts and the proposed area for the P-V system. Email K.T. if you need a PDF version, including the Building Guidelines for the 104 residences. Technical specifications pertaining to the MSB and reticulation is also available.