ARENA is providing almost a million in funding for Australian startup Solpod to trial installing redeployable rooftop solar on commercial and government buildings across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
The $5 million project will see Solpod’s redeployable solar panel systems installed at 25 sites across the three states totalling nearly 2.5 MW capacity, with each site possessing up to 100 KW of solar PV.
On behalf of the Australian Government, ARENA is committing $975,000 towards the project.
Solpod has developed an innovative new way of fixing solar panels to roofing by using a re-deployable racking and mounting system, offering the ability to quickly remove the panels to be deployed elsewhere.
This innovation allows commercial tenants to access rooftop solar.
Solpod’s system involves manufacturing prefabricated commercial scale solar panels raised on aluminium pods which are fixed with industrial strength adhesive to the roof surface. Solpod’s “pods” are manufactured in Melbourne, and can be installed within hours.
Solpod’s pods will be able to be rolled out in any size configuration, helping building tenants benefit from rooftop solar PV where they otherwise wouldn’t be able to.
In partnership with ERM Power, Solpod will be trialled at shopping centres, commercial and government buildings – owned by property owners including GPT and Property NSW, who will each install 10 pods.
ERM Power sourced and contracted the property owners and is administering the delivery of the demonstration program for these customers including billing the Solpod power purchase agreements.
“This Australian start up will help to accelerate solar PV innovation and allows for renewable energy alternatives in niche markets, providing a cost-competitive alternative to standard methods of fixed mounting for delivering rooftop grid connected solar PV,” ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said.
