75 % Cost Savings Compared to Diesel Generator

Christmas Island, Australia

On picturesque Christmas Island off the coast of north-western Australia, former mining sites are being used for agriculture as part of a research project.

Thanks to a TESVOLT battery storage and solar system, a seed cleaning shed that runs without connection to the utility grid saves around 75% of its previous operating costs, when the power required for the off-grid location was supplied by a diesel generator.

As a comparison: while the levelized cost of energy (LCoE) of a diesel generator, including the shipping costs, stood at USD 0.66–0.86/kWh, the LCoE of solar plus a battery storage system was only USD 0.16/kWh. Within just two years, the acquisition costs will be covered.

The off-grid system was commissioned in September 2018 to supply the cool room for 24 hours a day and provide surplus energy for power tools, seed processing machines and lighting.

Low maintenance and quiet:

The 11.7-kW solar installation and the battery storage system with a capacity of 14.4 kWh are not only environmentally friendly but also require significantly less maintenance than a diesel generator– and it’s pleasantly quiet.