During the Solar & Storage Live Australia event, DPA, Trek2Health, and PowerPlus Energy teamed up to raise awareness for mental health and to hold a special draw for a handmade timber surfboard. This unique board, symbolising the connection between mental health and community, was awarded to the lucky winners at A1 Solar & Electrical – Solar Gippsland.

Trek2Health has been making significant strides in the mental health space, fostering connection and purpose through their work with ex-service people who handcraft these beautiful surfboards. Collaborating with PowerPlus Energy to support this cause has been a privilege, allowing us to start essential conversations within our industry about mental health and well-being.

A special thanks to Shane Pollard from PPK Group Limited and our very own Jason Elmes and Derick Martins for hosting the draw and making this event a memorable success.

DPA is proud to support initiatives that bring awareness to mental health, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Trek2Health and PowerPlus Energy in their mission to make a positive impact.

The Kluem Electrical Services team recently completed an installation of a 3-phase off-grid power system for a wheat and sheep farm near York, WA. The farm, previously reliant on a diesel-powered genset for small loads, was experiencing high diesel usage and rising operational costs.

To address these challenges, Kluem Electrical Services installed a 3-phase solution using three Selectronic SPMC482 inverters in Powerchain configuration. This setup is now the primary power source for the farm’s operations, with the inverters drawing power from a battery bank charged by PV panels. The system also features a Fronius Solar Energy 10kW Symo advanced SCERT and a 20kW Symo advanced SCERT, which ensure the battery bank—comprised of 20 PowerPlus Energy Life4838 LFP batteries housed in two 12-battery module cabinets—remains charged.

The installation was supported by DPA, who provided the components and technical advice to ensure a smooth commissioning process.

The result? A 90% reduction in genset run-time, delivering continuous, reliable power while drastically lowering diesel consumption and servicing costs.

Richard Barker, founder of DPA, had the privilege of visiting Willows Pastoral farm for their open day. The farm proudly showcased its cutting-edge robotic milking operation alongside their newly installed PowerPlus Energy Escape 20 and Escape 60 products.

The installation of the Escape series Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) marks a significant upgrade for Willows Pastoral. This system enables the farm to operate their SWER line without any power quality issues, ensuring reliable and consistent power for their growing operation. With this solution in place, the farm has greatly reduced its reliance on generators during blackouts and minimised the need for additional conversion equipment to run their GEA robotic milking system. Additionally, the installation has enhanced power quality for neighbouring properties during peak demand times.

The comprehensive installation included 50kW of PV on Fronius inverters, 60kWh of LiFe 4838 batteries, and a 10kW per phase continuous output CT+E system. This setup not only guarantees consistent power supply but also future-proofs the farm’s energy needs as they continue to expand.

The result? Willows Pastoral and PowerPlus successfully demonstrated how innovative energy solutions can support advanced agricultural operations, ensuring both efficiency and reliability.

Gareth Thomas, DPA’s technical expert, recently completed an on-site installation of 40kWh of Discover AES rackmount batteries. This installation was part of a critical validation test to integrate these advanced batteries with the Selectronic Wizard inverter/charger, reflecting DPA’s commitment to delivering bespoke energy solutions.

The setup also included the Lynk II communication interface, which is designed to ensure seamless operation. The Lynk II enables the system to function in managed mode under normal conditions and switch to self-managed mode in the event of a communication loss, ensuring uninterrupted power and optimal performance.

With over 75 years of expertise, Discover Energy Systems has established itself as a leader in the energy industry. Their commitment to providing reliable, high-quality energy solutions aligns perfectly with DPA’s goal of empowering clients with energy independence.

DPA is proud to continue building a strong distribution partnership with Discover, supporting their mission to make energy freedom accessible to everyone. This installation marks another step forward in our shared journey towards innovative and reliable energy solutions.

DPA and Warnbi recently delivered a vital solar power solution for the Mudginberri community in Jabiru, located 260km from Darwin. This remote community faced significant challenges due to cyclones and flooding, which often led to isolation and severe fuel shortages, rendering their diesel generators unreliable. The power cuts that followed made essential facilities unusable and compromised food safety.

To address these issues, DPA and Warnbi implemented a solar power system designed to drastically reduce the community’s reliance on diesel fuel. The project incorporated the following key products:

• Selectronic Australia SELECTCELL Ultimate 280S – 005376
• Selectronic SP PRO Series 2i SPLC1202 20kW 120Vdc – 004747
• Fronius Solar Energy Symo Advanced 20kW Selectronic Certified 3 Phase PV Inverter – 005407

The outcome of this installation is transformative for the Mudginberri community. The solar power system now supports 12 dwellings, providing an environmentally friendly, reliable, and economical power supply robust enough to withstand the region’s extreme weather conditions.

Results:

• 50% Reduction in Diesel Usage: The community’s dependence on diesel has been halved, significantly lowering fuel costs and emissions.
• 80% Reduction in Maintenance Costs: With less reliance on diesel generators, maintenance needs have dropped dramatically, reducing operational disruptions.
• 50% Increase in Energy Reliability: The community now enjoys a stable and consistent power supply, ensuring essential services remain operational even during adverse weather.

This project demonstrates the effectiveness of renewable energy solutions in remote and vulnerable communities, offering a model for resilience in the face of climate challenges. DPA and Warnbi are proud to have provided a sustainable and dependable power solution that ensures the Mudginberri community can thrive despite the harsh environmental conditions they face.

Nick from Des Mullins Electrical in Wagga, NSW, was recently tasked with designing a small off-grid solar-charged system for the local community garden. The goal was to power the gardening tools with a reliable, low-maintenance solution that would stand the test of time.

Nick carefully designed and cabled the system, ensuring a neat and efficient setup. The installation was crafted to provide the community garden with a safe, high-quality power supply tailored to their specific needs.

The components used in this project include:

• Victron 12V/165Ah (Flag) Gel Deep Cycle Battery (BAT412151104)
• Victron Phoenix Inverter 12/800 230V VE.Direct AU/NZ (PIN121801300)
• Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/50 (SCC110050210)
• Victron Battery Monitor BMV-700 Retail (BAM010700000)
• Noark 80A 500VDC 2Pole MCCB (852894 – Ex9MD1B)
• Noark IP65 Waterproof Enclosure for Ex9MD Size 1-2 MCCB 80A-250A (850771)

The result? A robust and reliable off-grid power solution that meets the community garden’s needs with minimal maintenance. This setup ensures that the gardening tools are always ready to use, powered by a system designed for longevity and safety.

Apex Energy Australia recently completed a transformative project for LoganLee Wagyu Beef, developing a sustainable off-grid power solution for their cattle feedlot and homestead on the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia. The farm required a reliable and eco-friendly energy source to support its operations while minimising its environmental impact.

Utilising a suite of high-performance products from DPA and leveraging Apex Energy Australia’s expertise, the team delivered a comprehensive renewable energy system that has transformed the farm’s power supply.

The project incorporated the following key components:

• 3 x Selectronic Australia 7.5kW 48V Inverter/Chargers (SPMC482)
• 1 x SELECTRONIC Monitoring System (Select.live)
• 3 x Fronius Solar Energy Symo SCERT 3-Phase Solar Inverters
• 4 x Victron Energy 450/200 MPPT Solar Charge Controllers
• 18 x PowerPlus Energy ECO4840P 4kWh Lithium Battery Modules (72kWh)
• 3 x POWERPLUS PIR18C Battery Cabinets

The installation of this renewable energy system has had a significant impact on LoganLee Wagyu Beef’s operations, providing a sustainable and off-grid power solution that is reliable and cost-effective. This innovative project underscores the potential of renewable energy solutions in agricultural settings, offering a model for other farms looking to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining efficient operations.

Apex Energy Australia continues to lead the way in delivering cutting-edge renewable energy solutions, helping clients like LoganLee Wagyu Beef achieve their sustainability goals.

The Apex Energy Australia team recently completed the design and installation of an off-grid energy solution for a home powered entirely by electricity on the Fleurieu Peninsula, SA. With no nearby grid connection, the challenge was to create a system capable of meeting the home’s winter energy demand of 40kWh per day with minimal generator backup.

To overcome this, Apex Energy strategically selected components that would generate a consistent daily solar curve, matching the property’s timed energy demands. The installation included:

• 1x Selectronic Australia SP PRO Series 2i SPMC482-AU 7.5kW 48Vdc
• 1x Selectronic Select.Live
• 2x FIMER S.p.A. Uno DM 6kW Single Phase SCERT PV Inverters
• 1x AERL Coolmax 24V/48V 70A SRX MPPT Solar Charge Controller
• 12x PowerPlus Energy ECO 48VDC 4.0kWh LFP Batteries
• 1x PowerPlus Energy 18x Battery Cabinet IP21 – PIR18C
• 48x Jinko Tiger NEO 415W N-Type Solar Panels
• 2x CBI-electric DC Solar Battery Isolators for the AERL MPPT & Selectronic SP Pro

Result? Thanks to the Apex Energy team’s thorough design and selection of components, the home now benefits from optimised solar production, easy remote monitoring, and a highly efficient and reliable energy supply. This system not only meets the home’s energy needs during the winter but also ensures consistent and sustainable power year-round.