Built in 1998, Wharf Terraces consists of 34 residential townhouses, a marina and commercial car park. A building management committee looks after shared services.
Residents began thinking about solar panels in 2017. The amenities they hoped would be powered by renewable energy grew: from common areas and within homes to electric vehicle charging.
What they did
- In 2018, the site commissioned an energy efficiency assessment and solar feasibility study. This was funded by a City of Sydney grant.
- Installed a device to monitor the complex’s electricity use to determine if a solar sharing system was suitable.
- Installed a solar energy system (22kW) to power common areas. This includes a battery system to help stockpile energy for electric vehicle charging.
- Added a 78kW east-west facing solar energy system. This is shared among residents to power their homes. The panels are ballasted on the concrete roof to avoid penetrating the waterproof membrane.
- The building manager shared information about how residents can take advantage of the new system. For example, using electric appliances when the sun is strongest. This should further reduce energy bills.
Before the new hardware could be installed, the site had to:
- monitor the electricity used inside apartments to inform the system size
- upgrade the main switchboard to ensure sufficient capacity for electric vehicle charging, generating solar and other electrification projects as the original line drawings had been lost
- change 102 old analogue meters to 34 smart meters
- decide on arranging hardware as each solar-sharing gateway would split the energy up to 15 ways but minimising cable lengths was essential to prevent a voltage drop across the site
- gather and assess quotes to upgrade the main switchboard, install solar panels, and EV charging infrastructure.
The strata committee encountered barriers at each step of this process but worked through difficulties thanks to collaboration between forward-thinking, knowledgeable and experienced partners: residents, strata manager, building manager, tradespeople and advisors.
The site is now turning its attention back to its car park, planning to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
Beth Jackson, a member of the strata committee behind the solar project, welcomed the installation of the now fully operational solar power systems.
"While it took a fair bit of time and expert assistance, owners were keen to continue Wharf Terraces's progressive and community-minded approach to their home with sustainable projects like solar, and soon, EV charging infrastructure. We would encourage other stratas to get good advice, including through the tender and installation processes, and add to their building's value and amenity with renewable energy."
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