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LOCATION
The property is a working cattle farm and is situated about 40 km south
of Nannup.
CONSTRUCTION
The house has four bedrooms and is of double brick construction. Batteries,
control equipment and the generator are housed in a shed about 80 metres
from the house.
THE SYSTEM
The system consists of a wind turbine, solar modules, a battery bank,
an inverter and a diesel generator. Wind power produces most of the electricity
used in the household. Input to the system is 48 volts DC and output is
240 volts AC.
Bottled gas is used for cooking and the production of hot water.
INSTALLATION
The cost of the components of the system and installation would be about
$43,000 at today's prices.
RELIABILITY
The system has proved extremely reliable.
MAINTENANCE
No maintenance has been required other than routine topping-up of batteries
and servicing of the auxiliary diesel generator. The wind turbine requires
an annual maintenance inspection.
RUNNING COSTS
Costs will vary from year to year and are likely to increase as the system
ages. Battery replacement is likely to be the major item and it would
be prudent to assume a need to replace batteries about every 5 to 10 years.
Servicing of the wind turbine, and service and fuel for the generator
are other cost items, but these will depend on usage. The generator is
usually run for 2 or 3 hours per week.
Maintenance of the wind turbine and the replacement of parts is expected
to cost about $500 per year over a five year period.
Due care and proper maintenance will prolong the life of most components
of the system.
REASON FOR SELECTION
The owners chose the system because connection to the grid was prohibitive
and they wanted 24 hour power with minimal running of the diesel generator.
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S P E C I F I C A T I O N |
Wind Turbine
1 only Survivor S-20000 wind turbine and tilt up tower.
2 only Synergy load resistors to control excess power and protect
batteries from over-charging.
Solar Modules
8 only BP 55W modules.
Batteries
24 only Suncycle 2 volt, 1100 ampere hours, deep cycle batteries.
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Inverter/ Charger
1 only Advanced Energy Systems 4.5 kW inverter/Charger.
Control Panel
1 only Synergy control panel incorporating a turbine controller,
solar regulator and volt and ampere meters.
Generator
1 only Lister diesel generator and 1 only Mechron engine start and
protection unit.
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