Burder Industries, a regional manufacturer of customised tractor and
earthmoving equipment for the agricultural industry has installed a 355kWp solar
power system at its facility in Wangaratta, Victoria.
Supplied by the world-leading solar photovoltaic module manufacturer Yingli Solar through its distribution partner, EnviroGroup, Burder’s solar PV system
is equipped with 1,420 250W YGE high efficiency polycrystalline PV panels. EnviroGroup
is a specialist provider of renewable energy products and systems for
commercial, government and residential customers.
Burder’s solar power system will generate approximately 467MWh of solar
energy per year, meeting up to 90 percent of the company’s daily energy requirements
and reducing the company’s energy costs by over 70 percent each year in
addition to providing a 25-year hedge against future electricity price rise.
Environmentally, Burder Industries will be able to reduce its carbon
footprint by up to 607 tonnes annually, equivalent to taking 145 cars off the
road. The company’s investment in solar PV is expected to generate an Internal
Rate of Return (IRR) of over 25 percent annually.
Burder Industries decided to install the solar PV system at its
manufacturing facility to reduce its operating costs and get an advantage in a
market where it competed directly with imported equipment for the agricultural
industry. Energy usage was a big component of the company’s operating costs;
solar power was therefore considered by Burder Industries as an effective
solution.
According to Adam Fendyk, General Manager, Burder Industries, the switch
to solar has involved a large capital investment for the business; however, the
company views it as a wise investment decision that will be critical to the
long-term success of their business by enhancing their domestic competitiveness.
Daman Cole, Managing Director for Yingli Green Energy in Australia, New
Zealand and the Pacific observes that solar power is vital for energy intensive
companies such as Burder Industries as it will help them reduce their operating
costs and carbon footprint.
EnviroGroup managed all aspects of the solar project including system
design, installation, high voltage connection design and upgrade, 500kVA
substation sourcing and installation, grid connection and metering.
