Food retailer Aldi has installed a 1MW solar PV system on the roof of its distribution centre in Brendale, Queensland, the largest solar system installed by Aldi Australia.
The project is the latest in a commercial solar pilot program carried out by Epho Commercial Solar Energy for Aldi which began in 2016, with installations on stores in NSW and Victoria.
The Brendale project required 20km of cabling and more than 3,400 panels, which cover just over half a hectare (5,680 square meters) of rooftop.
The system is expected to generate more than 1,454,300MWh a year, or enough to power about 270 Queensland homes.
“To meet Aldi’s stringent requirements and maintain its award-winning customer experience, each installation needed to happen in a ‘ghost-like’ manner with minimal disturbance to the normal operation to business,” said Epho Commercial Solar Energy operations manager Luke Butterworth.
Epho managing director Dr Oliver Hartley said solar power is a perfect fit for supermarkets and large commercial solar systems. “Solar can supply a significant chunk of the electricity needs for stores and distribution centres with free and clean renewable energy for years to come,” he said.