Queensland government buys Australian for national park solar rollout

Australia’s only manufacturer of solar panels, the Adelaide-based Tindo Solar, has supplied the hardware for a Queensland government program to replace diesel fuel-based Remote Area Power Systems (RAPS) at five National Park facilities around the state.

The solar rollout installed remote renewable microgrid systems – designed and installed by Brisbane, Solar Hybrids – at Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services Ranger Bases at K’Gari (Fraser Island), Diamantina, Welford, Lakefield and New Laura.

The systems provide autonomous renewable power to QPWS Rangers and their families, enabling critical services such as water purification, irrigation, plumbing and fire-fighting.

Tindo Solar chief Shayne Jaenisch said the Queensland government’s choice of the Australian-made panels – alongside Australian-made Selectronic and SunLock hardware – was a shot in the arm for Australian manufacturing and a demonstration of quality trumping affordability.

“We congratulate the Queensland government for taking the lead on this issue,” Jaenisch said. “They have installed world’s-best power systems for their remote bases and specified durability, safety and reliable power output under harsh conditions, rather than demanding the cheapest.”

Jaenisch noted that Tindo Solar panels, while more pricey than their China rivals’ products, offered a 25-year warranty, used superior materials, and produced performance that consistently topped the independent solar panel rankings by Choice and Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre.

“The Queensland government needed a very tough solar panel that produces reliable power in a harsh climate, allowing remote systems to be weaned off diesel,” he said. “They selected Tindo Solar panels and we are very proud of that vote of confidence.”

Jaenisch said the new Queensland Ranger base systems had online performance monitoring and control portals, as well as sophisticated monitoring of fault redundancy, system reliability and longevity.

“They have a mix of AC and DC coupled solar, and fault alarms for the systems’ air conditioners and backup diesel generators. They’re globally best-of-breed and they’re powered by solar panels made here, in Australia,” he added.