One of the world’s largest solar PV module manufacturers, Yingli Solar recently supplied their solar photovoltaic panels to Australia Post for their rooftop solar installation. The PV panels were supplied through solar PV system solution provider, Photon Energy Australia.

Photon Energy completed the installation of the 284 kWp solar power system at StarTrack House, Australia Post’s New South Wales Headquarters at Strawberry Hills in Sydney in three months. The installation comprised of 1,051 PANDA modules featuring Yingli Solar’s proprietary n-type silicon technology and having an average cell efficiency of 19 percent.

Designed to produce 370 MWh of electricity per annum, the 1,051 solar panels at Australia Post will help reduce the carbon impact of the facility by around 325 tonnes and electricity costs by over $65,000 each year based on current prices.

The solar installation is part of Australia Post’s long-term ‘Carbon Reduction Strategy’, which aims to achieve a 25 percent reduction in their 2000 level emissions by 2020. Energy consumption being one of the biggest components of their total carbon footprint, Australia Post decided to install the solar PV system to improve the building’s 2.5 Star NABERS energy rating to 5 Stars in the most cost-effective manner.

Photon Energy designed and engineered the photovoltaic system using Yingli Solar’s high efficiency PANDA modules to complete the installation within the constraints of the limited roof space. PANDA’s innovative n-type silicon technology provides high energy outputs especially in low light conditions such as mornings, evenings or cloudy days.

According to Daman Cole, Managing Director for Yingli Green Energy in Australia, solar power is important for businesses such as Australia Post that are seeking to reduce their reliance on grid electricity and minimise their carbon footprint.

Australia Post’s Head of Environmental Sustainability, Andrew Sellick explained that the StarTrack House was a key example of the organisation’s goal to become leaders in environmental sustainability, driving clean energy and efficiency initiatives across their 1,200 facilities.