What is it
Remote Area Power Supply (RAPS) systems (hybrid systems) combine solar energy, with diesel generation and through the use of an inverter and a battery bank provide 24 hour power.
Do they work for remote stations?
Yes, there are over 25 stations, from quite small to quite large, throughout the NT presently enjoying the benefits of Renewable Energy, see map for more info.
How much will it cost? Is it worth it?
It isn't until you get a system designed and costed for your station that you will know what it will cost and if it is worth it. In most cases the systems pay themselves off in 4-6 years.
Read article on the 'The economics of renewable energy' , and use the 'Generator Cost Calculator' to calculate the actual cost of your current system over time.
What rebates are available?
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) funds 50% of eligible costs up to $200,000, this scheme is funded to 2010, or when funding is expended - if you leave it too long, you may miss out!
There are also tourism rebates available, and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC's) can reduce the cost of your system; visit the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator for more information.
How does it work?
Aileron |
| Year Installed: |
2007 |
| System Size: |
12kW Inverter, 80 x 175W Solar Panels, 30 x 1800Ah Batteries |
| Power from solar: |
88% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: |
11 air con; 5 freezers, 5 fridges, 2 coolrooms, pressure pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$150,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
14,308l/yr |
Allambi |
| Year Installed: |
2003 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
33% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, staff qtrs, 2 workshops, hangar |
| Major load items: |
8 aircons; 2 freezers; 3 fridges; cool room; 1 pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
8,580l/yr |
Ambalindum |
| Year Installed: |
2003 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
57% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house and 1 workshop |
| Major load items: |
1 aircon; 3 fridges; 2 freezers; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$30,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
2,450l/yr |
| "Just fantastic to have 24 hour power in the bush. It would be hard to go back to not having 24 hour power." |
Amburla |
| Year Installed: |
2002 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
50% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house; 3x staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: |
3 aircon; 1 freezer; 2 fridges; pressure pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
5,600l/yr |
Amungee Mungee |
| Year Installed: |
2004 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
99% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house and 1 workshop |
| Major load items: |
1 fridge; 1 freezer; pressure pump; bore pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
7,000l/yr |
| "Going with solar power was a very good decision. I'd recommend more pastoral station owners switch to solar." |
Anningie |
| Year Installed: |
2006 |
| System Size: |
$100,000 |
| Power from solar: |
58% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses; 2x staff qtrs & 1 worksop |
| Major load items: |
4 air cons; 3 fridges; 3 chest frezers; 1 coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
|
| Estimated diesel savings: |
9,500l/yr |
Atula |
| Year Installed: |
2004 |
| System Size: |
|
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, 1 shed |
| Major load items: |
1 coolroom; 1 aircon; 1 freezer; 4 fridges |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$35,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
2,000l/yr |
Avago |
| Year Installed: |
2007 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
79% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: |
7 air con; 4 freezers, 2 fridges, 2 coolrooms; 2 pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$125,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
10,730l/yr |
Coniston |
| Year Installed: |
2001 |
| System Size: |
|
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, one demountable & workshop |
| Major load items: |
air con; freezer, coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$100,000 |
| "Our fuel consumption has reduced dramatically and during winter 100% of the stations electricity is powered by solar energy." |
Deepwell |
| Year Installed: |
2002 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
43% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses; 2x staff qtrs & 2 workshops |
| Major load items: |
5 aircon; 4 freezers; 3 fridges; 2 coolroom |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$90,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
6,850l/yr |
| "At a $1.90 a litre, we're saving $1500 a month", Our generator used to run between 10 and 12 hours a day, now, with the solar system, we're averaging half that and we've got power 24 hours a day. It's great." |
Dry River |
| Year Installed: |
2005 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
38% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses & workshop |
| Major load items: |
9 aircons;4 freezers; 2 fridges; pressure pump; submersible pump; outside coolroom; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$180,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
15,000l/yr |
| It's excellent. Would find it hard to go back to the generator. |
Hodgson River |
| Year Installed: |
2006 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
80% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses; 3x staff qtrs, workshop & school |
| Major load items: |
3 air cons; 3 freezers; 4 fridges; 2 coolrooms; pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$125,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
10,500l/yr |
Kalala |
| Year Installed: |
2008 |
| System Size: |
$90,000 |
| Power from solar: |
45% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house & workshop |
| Major load items: |
2 aircons; 2 chest freezers; 2 fridges; 2 pumps |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$90,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
7,910l/yr |
Larrizona |
| Year Installed: |
2007 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
90% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house, 1 staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: |
2 chest freezers; 2 fridges; pump, pressure pump |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$70,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
4,292l/yr |
Lucy Creek |
| Year Installed: |
2001 & 2007 |
| System Size: |
|
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, kitchen, 2x staff qtrs, schoolroom, 2 workshops & equipment shed |
| Major load items: |
10 evap wall, 1 refr air con; 5 freezers; 1 fridge; 3 coolrooms; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$120,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
7,000l/yr |
Lyndavale |
| Year Installed: |
2006 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
49% |
| Homestead Size: |
1 house, 1 staff qtrs & workshop |
| Major load items: |
7 aircons; 2 freezers, 1 fridge, 1 coolroom; 1 pump, 1 paressure pump; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$75,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
6,000l/yr |
| The best thing you could ever do. Everyone should have one. |
Mt Skinner |
| Year Installed: |
2004 |
| System Size: |
|
| Homestead Size: |
1 house, 2x staff qtrs & laundry |
| Major load items: |
Aircon |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$50,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
2,900l/yr |
| "Best thing we've ever done. Wish my dad did it years ago" |
Palmer Valley |
| Year Installed: |
2001 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
41% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, staff qtrs, school room, workshop & equipment shed |
| Major load items: |
6 aircons; freezer; fridge; cool room; |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
6,800l/yr |
| "When we first installed our 24 hour solar power system, we only thought of the dollar savings. The convenience of having 24 hour power for our family and staff, and the peacefulness of it, out weighs everything" |
Sunday Creek |
| Year Installed: |
2001 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
40% |
| Homestead Size: |
2 houses, workshop & equipment shed |
| Major load items: |
2 Aircon; coolroom; freezer |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$50,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
6,700l/yr |
| "Bloody fantastic" |
Wollogorang |
| Year Installed: |
2004 |
| System Size: |
|
| Power from solar: |
27% |
| Homestead Size: |
Roadhouse; 2 houses, motel units; 2 sheds & mens qrtrs |
| Major load items: |
Numerous (power homestead, roadhouse, motel rooms & workshop) |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$165,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
12,000l/yr |
| "Going wth solar power was a very good decision. I'd recommend more pastoral station owners switch to solar." |
Yambah |
| Year Installed: |
2001 |
| System Size: |
|
| Homestead Size: |
1 homestead, 1 school room; 1 teacher accom & workshop. |
| Major load items: |
3 aircons; pressure pump; fridge |
| Approximate Cost (after rebate): |
$60,000 |
| Estimated diesel savings: |
6,935l/yr |
Generator Set
The generator, along with the solar panels, provides power to the system. A big advantage of a hybrid system is that all the power being generated by the generator is used (captured in the battery bank), rather than being wasted as it is in a diesel only system.
The system will be designed for the generator to come on for a certain number of hours (differ summer to winter) per day/week. The generator will also come on automatically if a lot of power is being used or if battery levels are low. Large load items like welders can be run directly from generator.
Solar Array
Solar (photovoltaic) panels convert sunlight into electricity and can be placed on the roof of a house, or nearby, to gain the greatest access to the sun The size of the array is dependent on system design, energy requirements and generator hours. The working life of a solar panel should be over 20 years and can be added to if the system is upgraded.
Batteries
Energy is stored in large batteries, similar to a car battery but designed specifically for RAPS. They are usually of the lead-acid variety, either 'sealed' or 'flooded cell'.
Properly sized, well maintained battery banks are lasting for 8 years or more. Examples of batteries not lasting can be linked to either poor design or lack of maintenance.
Inverter
The primary function of the inverter is to convert the DC (direct current) power from the system to AC (alternating current) power that can be used by household appliances.
The inverter is also the brains of the system with a computer contained in it. This monitors and managed the performance of the system, automatically turns on the generator if required, and can also be accessed off site (via phone line) to monitor the performance of your system.
Homestead
Your homestead energy load will determine the size of the system required, with quite large loads able to be powered by RAPS systems. It is not until a system is designed and priced for our homestead that you can properly look at the economics of the system.
In getting a system you have the option of going for a larger system requires higher up-front costs and gets more power from solar, requiring minimal generator time, or a lower up-front cost option that will require more generator hours.
 How do I get and evaluate a quote?
The NT Cattlemen's Association (with RRPGP funding) has developed the 'Renewable Energy Evaluation Process' to help stations work through the process of evaluating renewable energy for their situation.
Apply now & Continue to the Renewable Energy Evaluation Process (documents & steps)
Further information
For further information and assistance with the process contact Ian McLean ian.mclean@ntca.org.au or 0401 118 191
This process has been developed by the NTCA with funding from the Federal Government's RRPGP program, administered by the Northern Territory Government.
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