Tasmania’s first community solar project goes live

Tasmania’s first community solar project was launched in Glenorchy today. In its first week of operation the solar installation has already saved $182. Projected annual electricity bill savings are over $7,000.

The 30 kW solar array on the roof of Tastex Knitwear and Uniforms was crowd-funded by supporters of Tastex and the Corena Fund, a national project to assist community solar projects.

Tastex has been in the textile industry for 45 years and supplies uniforms to over 100 schools and organisations Australia wide. As an Australian Disability Enterprise, Tastex employs 25 staff, including 17 people with intellectual disabilities.

“Cost savings from solar will enable us to maintain the high quality of our products, develop new and innovative ideas, and continue to provide meaningful employment for Tasmanians.” said Vicki Hawker, Executive Officer of Tastex.

“TREA is delighted to have played a role in facilitating this innovative model” said Jack Gilding, Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Alliance. “The collaboration between local supporters of Tastex and the Corena Fund enables wins all round. Tastex will get immediate reductions in their electricity bills, and money repaid on the interest free loan from the Corena Fund will be recycled into future projects all around Australia.” said Mr Gilding. “We are already investigating a next project in the north of Tasmania, and expect this collaborative approach to lead to more similar projects.”

The project was designed and installed by Tasmanian firm I Want Energy and consists of 115 Trinasmart Solar 260 watt panels with Tigo optimisers and a 27 kW Fronius Eco 3 phase inverter. Live monitoring and reporting is provided by the Fronius solar.web portal. “Our company is delighted to be part of Tasmania’s first community funded solar project. We are particularly pleased to be able to assist such a great organisation as Tastex” said Rob Manson of I Want Energy.

“Tastex is the largest community solar project we have been involved with and our first in Tasmania” said Margaret Hender from the Corena Fund. “Tastex has high daytime electricity demand which is the key to making community-funded solar projects
Jack Gilding, Tasmanian Renewable Energy Alliance