Horizon Power is expanding solar access throughout Western Australia, with its Smart Connect Solar technology now available in Carnarvon.
The utility is planning to roll out the technology to all of its service areas in 2024.
The technology uses a distributed energy resource management system that enables the coordination of high levels of solar energy on the network, allowing thousands of additional customers in Carnarvon to install rooftop solar while maintaining network safety and stability.
Horizon Power’s Taylah Howell with Carnarvon solar installer Riaan Hibbert from SEA Contracting. Courtesy of Horizon Power.
This will eliminate solar installation capacity constraints in Carnarvon and other towns and enable more customers throughout regional WA to access rooftop solar.
Horizon Power became the first Australian utility to deploy the technology in a regional microgrid in 2019, using it to coordinate customer solar with utility-owned renewables to help power the town of Onslow.
It was also able to use the system to power the town with 100 per cent renewables for approximately 80 minutes.
Horizon Power said Smart Connect Solar will be deployed to all of its service areas, including the Pilbara, Kimberley, Gascoyne, Mid West and Goldfields regions, by the end of 2024.
Western Australia Energy Minister, Reece Whitby, said, “The State Government is committed to delivering clean energy solutions for our regions.
“We are proud to increase renewable energy access for regional Western Australians while maintaining the safety and stability of the electricity network.
“Making renewable energy more accessible is critical for our environment and will assist Western Australia in its goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Whitby said.
Western Australia Member for Mining and Pastoral region, Peter Foster, said, “I’m extremely happy to see Smart Connect Solar rolled out to Carnarvon following its successful trial in Onslow.
“This will help satisfy the growing demand for renewable power throughout regional Western Australia.”
Featured image: Smart Connect Solar panels. Courtesy of Horizon Power.