Luxury resort in Victoria adds “epic” 510kW rooftop solar system

A luxury resort on the Victorian coastal town of Torquay has installed a 510kW rooftop solar system, just weeks after opening an electric vehicle fast charging station at the same site.

Victorian solar retailer Gippsland Solar says it has flicked the switch on the “epic” half a megawatt install at the RACV Torquay Resort, which used Winaico panels to best cope with the Great Ocean Road location.

The highly experienced installers described the project as “the hardest we have ever delivered,” in particular in working with the undulating roof of the landmark building.

“Hundreds of hours [were] spent following the curves in the roof design, concealing cables to ensure a clean finish, and working around the accommodation and function requirements of the resort,” Gippsland Solar said in a Facebook post.

“We are so incredibly proud of our team, who battled through the winter weather and delivered a truly amazing masterpiece.”

Presumably, some of the solar power generated by the system will wind up powering electric vehicles, that stop to recharge at the newly opened charging station.

As Bridie Schmidt reported on The Driven last month, the charging station has two 175kW ABB chargers and two 50kW Veefil-RT fast chargers designed and developed by Australia’s own Tritium.

With both CHAdeMO and CCS2 plug types allowing for use by current and yet-to-be released (in Australia at least) EVs, the two 175kW chargers can also be combined to provide up to 350kW charging to add as much as 400km driving range in 15 minutes.

The Torquay charging station joins others installed at Airport West, Euroa and Barnawartha North that are already open to the public, and three more expected to opened in regional Victoria by the end of the year.

RACV, which has its own residential solar and battery retail arm, has committed to an envrionmental policy that pledges to operate its clubs and resorts in an environmentally responsible manner through efficient management of energy, water, waste, procurement and biodiversity.