This 300kW project, for Ballina Shire Council at the Ballina Wastewater Treatment plant was awarded to Harelec after a comprehensive tender process which assessed proposed products, methodology, personnel, experience, management systems, and resources.

Detailed planning was undertaken prior to construction which included surveying, underground cable location, draft layout plans, single line diagrams, and significant communication with Council and Essential Energy.

We had to take into account existing underground services (including high voltage), the location of old concrete water tanks that had previously been buried, and access pathways for the movement of plant and machinery throughout the site. Also important to the client was uninterrupted operation of the facility.

The installation consisted of 1200 Schutten solar panels & 12 SMA Tripower inverters. Ground screws were used along with concrete footings in some areas for further stability. Weed-mat, aggregate and timber edge boards were installed under the arrays to present a neat and tidy appearance and the best possible weed-suppression. An SMA Cluster Controller was also used to facilitate web-monitoring, export limitation and other plant controls.

The project was successfully completed in its entirety by Harelec's team, managed by head electrician and CEC accredited solar designer/ installer Jamie Harrison.

As of 2019, this project has now been successfully operational for 5 years, and has produced in excess of 2,000,000 kilowatt hours of clean, green power for Ballina Shire Council.