Case Study: 200kW Rooftop Solar Installation on the Crime and Corruption Building and ATO Office in Perth CBD
Client: Government of Western Australia (Crime and Corruption Building & ATO Office)
Project Size: 200kW
Project Type: Rooftop Commercial Solar System
Location: Perth CBD, Western Australia
Project Overview
Westsun Energy was tasked with installing a 200kW rooftop solar system on two iconic buildings in the heart of Perth’s Central Business District (CBD): the Crime and Corruption Building and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The objective was to reduce the buildings’ electricity costs while enhancing sustainability through renewable energy. Due to the complex nature of this high-rise solar installation, the project required detailed planning, coordination, and technical expertise to address logistical constraints, shading issues, and safety concerns.
As one of Perth’s best commercial solar installers, Westsun Energy has the experience and capabilities to handle even the most challenging commercial solar projects in Perth CBD and beyond.
Challenges
→ Limited Space & Accessibility: Installing a large solar system on high-rise rooftops required the use of cranes and lifts for safe and efficient equipment transport.
→ Shading Issues: The proximity of nearby buildings led to shading at certain times of the day and year, affecting the energy production potential of the system.
→ Traffic Management & Logistics: Delivering large equipment and cranes through the busy Perth CBD required meticulous planning and coordination with the City of Perth for traffic management, road closures, and safe crane operations.
→ Complex Cable Runs: Routing cables through the buildings’ existing infrastructure without disrupting ongoing operations posed another challenge.
Solution
Westsun Energy designed and installed a 200kW commercial solar power system using premium SolarEdge inverters and optimizers to address shading issues caused by the surrounding buildings. The SolarEdge technology allows for the optimization of each panel’s performance, even under partial shading, ensuring consistent energy generation regardless of environmental conditions.
Extensive Planning & Coordination with the City of Perth was a pivotal part of the project:
→ Traffic Management: We worked closely with the City of Perth to ensure minimal disruption during equipment delivery. This included planning for road closures, lane diversions, and designated zones for crane lifts to ensure safety and efficiency.
→ Crane Operations: Cranes were used to lift the solar panels to the rooftops, with lifts scheduled during low-traffic hours to minimize disruption.
→ Delivery of Equipment: All large, bulky equipment was delivered during non-peak hours, carefully coordinated to avoid congestion on city roads.
→ Complex Cable Runs: We carefully planned the cable routes, integrating them with the building’s infrastructure to ensure an efficient and aesthetically clean installation.
Key components of the solution included:
→ SolarEdge Optimizers: These were used to maximize panel performance even in shaded areas, ensuring optimal energy generation throughout the day.
→ Cranes and Lifts for High-Rise Installation: Safe and efficient transportation of equipment to the rooftops, minimizing risk and ensuring smooth execution.
→ Traffic Control Coordination: We ensured comprehensive traffic management with the City of Perth, including road closures and crane placement, to avoid any disruption to the busy CBD.
→ Complex Cable Runs: Detailed planning of cable routes through the building’s infrastructure, ensuring regulatory compliance and efficiency.
Results & Benefits
→ Significant Cost Savings: The 200kW rooftop solar system has significantly reduced the buildings’ electricity costs, offering long-term financial benefits.
→ Optimized Performance: The SolarEdge inverters and optimizers ensure maximum performance even in shaded conditions, improving energy generation throughout the day and year.
→ Sustainability Impact: This solar installation helps reduce the carbon footprint of both buildings, supporting their sustainability goals and contributing to clean energy generation.
→ Safe & Efficient Installation: Despite the challenges posed by a busy urban environment, the project was completed with no safety incidents, thanks to careful planning and coordination with all parties involved.
→ Enhanced Energy Resilience: The solar system provides reliable, renewable energy for the buildings, reducing dependence on traditional electricity sources and enhancing overall energy resilience.
Conclusion
The successful installation of the 200kW rooftop commercial solar system on the Crime and Corruption Building and the ATO Office demonstrates Westsun Energy’s ability to handle complex high-rise solar installations in the heart of Perth CBD. Through effective coordination with the City of Perth for traffic management and crane operations, combined with the use of SolarEdge technology to eliminate shading issues, we were able to optimize the system’s performance and ensure a reliable energy supply for these key government buildings.
This project highlights Westsun Energy’s expertise in delivering tailored commercial solar solutions in Perth, even in challenging urban environments.
For more information on how Westsun Energy, Perth’s best commercial solar installer, can assist with commercial solar solutions, contact us today.
