As the state’s peak sporting body for surfing, Surfing Western Australia (SWA) is dedicated to ocean stewardship and sustainability. In planning their new headquarters, SWA was committed to ensuring the facility would have minimal environment impact and blend seamlessly with the beautiful coastal environment. A key part of the design was the installation of a state of-the-art Plico solar + battery system, allowing the building to run almost entirely on solar energy.
Nearly two years later, the Surfing WA team couldn’t be happier with their Plico system, not only for its significant environmental benefits but also for to the substantial cost savings it provides.
2022: In need of an upgrade
When SWA set out to build their new headquarters in 2022 due to the organisation’s significant growth, it was crucial for the facility to reflect their commitment to sustainability and complement the natural coastal environment.
Operating costs were a significant concern for the not-for-profit organisation. The reliance on coal-powered electricity was never aligned with the values of the environmentally conscious organisation, prompting their architect to seek a more sustainable, nature-powered solution for the new building.
Enjoying a close bond with the surfing community since its inception, Plico was eager to contribute to the SWA project with its solar + battery technology. Both SWA and Plico share a commitment to protecting the precious natural environment and fostering a sustainable future for all Australians, making the partnership a natural fit.
A seamless installation
Throughout the installation, the SWA team was impressed by Plico’s commitment to top-notch service, guiding them through the whole process. Plico’s service team was also super responsive to client questions, going above and beyond to make the whole process a pleasant experience.
For the tech-curious, the custom-designed installation consists of a 29.88 kW solar panel system, with 72 Suntech Power Ultra V mini 415W monocrystalline panels. It also includes three Redback SH5000 hybrid inverters with f 32 kWh of battery storage, using lithium-ion technology.
Featuring separate inverters per phase, the overall system efficiency is 93% and is estimated to produce 42,945 kWh of electricity annually.
The batteries have built-in flexibility, with the ability to add more batteries as needed.
Since opening its doors in 2022, the new SWA HQ is proudly powered mostly by solar energy during opening hours. What’s more, in almost two years of operation, the savings are significant: $9,704.13 and 35,415.017 CO2e of carbon emissions.
The team at SWA couldn’t be happier with the results so far.
Surfing WA CEO Mark Lane said switching to a Plico solar + battery system has had a significant impact.
“It's incredibly efficient, has saved us on costs, and their team's support has been outstanding. The system’s eco-friendly nature aligns perfectly with our values, creating a natural synergy in our partnership.”
The SWA team is excited about how well everything is running, their reduced reliance on traditional power sources and how much they’re saving while keeping things eco-friendly.
Community and Membership Manager, Katya Verreydt highlighted the benefits of switching to solar.
"We’re impressed with how easy it is to monitor usage and battery storage through the app linked to our system.”
Commercial and industrial organisations have a significant role to play in terms of their environmental footprint. With energy consumption being one of the heaviest contributors to carbon emissions, it goes without saying that a positive change in this area can make a noticeable difference. Cost savings can also be significant, as SWA has found, so the wins just keep coming.
That’s why Plico is committed to supporting commercial and industrial organisations in their shift towards renewable energy.
For more information about how Plico can increase your commercial or industrial organisation’s energy bill savings, reach out here or call 1300 175 426 and our switched-on team will get in touch for a chat.
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