More than 2,000 solar panels are now installed and operating at one of SA Water’s key sites on the Fleurieu Peninsula, as the utility ticks off yet another milestone in its ambitious, industry-leading renewable energy initiative.

Located at SA Water’s Myponga Depot on Reservoir Road, the large-scale solar array will combine with around 352 kilowatt hours of on-site battery storage to capture, store and use clean, green energy provided by the local sunshine.

SA Water’s Senior Manager of Zero Cost Energy Future Nicola Murphy said the panels will make a significant difference in managing the depot’s operating electricity costs, while simultaneously slashing carbon emissions.

“The cost to run our energy-intensive drinking water and wastewater operations across South Australia reached $86 million in 2019-20, making us one of the largest electricity consumers in the state,” Nicola said.

“By making use of our Myponga Depot site to house these new ground-mounted panels, it provides us with the capability to self-generate our own power needs and reduces our reliance on the often unpredictable electricity grid.

“Having the on-site battery storage also provides us with the additional flexibility to not only store any power generated but add another revenue stream by selling excess energy to other electricity users.

“This particular solar site can generate around 1,200 megawatt hours per year, which is roughly the equivalent generation needed to power more than 200 average South Australian homes.

“The carbon emissions savings are also immense, with an emissions reduction estimated to reach a whopping 532 tonnes every year of operation.”

SA Water’s award-winning zero cost energy future initiative will generate a total of 242 gigawatt hours of solar energy along with 34 megawatt hours of battery storage, making it among the biggest solar projects in the Australian water industry.

“We’re excited to finish connecting our remaining 30-plus locations around the state to the national grid over the coming weeks and months, where these sites will thrive in the hot, sunny weather,” Nicola said.

For more information on SA Water’s zero cost energy future initiative, visit sawater.com.au.

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