Dessert supplier gets sweet boost from solar PV system

Yingli Solar has completed a contract through its installation partner EnviroGroup to supply an 80 kW solar PV system for an award-winning Victorian dessert supplier.

Through EnviroGroup, Yingli Solar supplied Exquisine, a dessert supplier to many leading restaurants and food service and retail companies, with the solar PV system. The system comprises 320 YGE 60 Cell 40 mm Series panels, delivering approximately 300 kWh of solar power per day (or 107,450 kWh per annum) and an internal rate of return (IRR) of over 25% per annum. This is expected to reduce Exquisine’s carbon emissions by 139.7 tonnes every year as it reduces its reliance on drawing electricity from the grid.

According to Cameron Munro, CEO of EnviroGroup, Yingli Solar’s high-efficiency panels were selected because of their proven track record in producing higher energy yields. The installation has the capability to match peak daytime energy demands for Exquisine’s manufacturing facility.

“With fluctuating energy prices, Australian manufacturing companies like Exquisine are faced with varying cost pressures. We have designed the solar system to help Exquisine offset a significant amount of their electricity bills. The system will prevent a costly network infrastructure upgrade for Exquisine, and the cost savings will allow the company to plan for future expansion,” said Munro.

“Yingli Solar is delighted to be working with EnviroGroup to bring Exquisine into the growing number of commercial businesses who are turning to solar power,” said Daman Cole, commercial director for Yingli Solar in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

“Manufacturing businesses are increasingly aware of the cost savings that solar power offers through its ability to meet peak energy demand and its benefits in mitigating the risk of increasing electricity prices.”