Solar Power at La Trobe University

The La Trobe University photovoltaic (PV) grid connected PV power station was built by staff and students from the Department of Electronic Engineering in 2008. Other members of the La Trobe community including staff from Buildings and Grounds Division donated their time and labour to the project.

The power station is located at the Cycle Smart centre adjacent to the Physical Sciences 4 Building on Science Drive and will enhance the teaching of sustainable energy generation and raise the awareness of sustainable energy within the broader La Trobe community.

Thirty solar panels mounted on the roof produce up to 4.8kW of electrical power. The low voltage DC from the panels is converted to 240V AC by four inverters and then fed into the University’s power grid.

Each year the PV power station produces more than 5 MWh of electricity without generating any carbon dioxide. The equivalent amount of electrical power produced by a brown coal fired power station would release 8 tonnes of CO2

Currently most of the University’s electricity is generated by a gas fired co-generation plant which is itself more environmentally friendly than a brown coal fired power station.

The University’s peak electricity demand is approximately 5MW so the PV power station produces in one year the amount of power required to power the University for one hour at a time of peak load, such as on a hot day. Although the solar power station generates less than 0.1% of the University's electrical power requirements it is another important step towards La Trobe University’s green energy future.

Apart from being a symbol to remind and encourage our community to take care of the environment, the Department of Electronic Engineering uses this photovoltaic power system to teach and to conduct research in sustainable energy production.

News: Solar Power Station Officially Launched on Wednesday 3rd December 2008

The University has officially launched the La Trobe University’s solar electricity generator.

Location: The Cycle-Smart centre next to Physical Sciences four on Science Drive, La Trobe University Bundoora.

Media release: GREEN TEA AND EGGS AT THE BIKE SHED CAFÉ - WHO PAYS? (PDF 39KB)

Acknowledgements

Funding for the project came from Sustainability Victoria, the Federal Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, La Trobe University Buildings and Grounds Division and La Trobe University Department of Electronic Engineering.

Industry partner Semitech Innovations Pty Ltd donated power line communication equipment and developed custom software for remotely monitoring the PV power station through the internet.

Industry partner PRI Australia Pty Ltd donated the smart interval meter.

The facility will be officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Johnson, on 3rd December 2008.