Solar Power

The central P-V system may look similar to the system at Carnarvon (above top), or Kalbarri (above)

Solar panels on your home within your cluster may look similar to (below) or a building integrated system similar to ETC at Murdoch University (above).

Flexible amorphous panels, solar glass and solar louvres for the community building is a possibility.

Example of Solar Louvres on the headquarters of the Environment Agency

SomerVille Ecovillage™ will use photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate AC power for its needs. These panels will be centralised into a larger village wide array system and each individual home within each cluster may also install additional rooftop PV's or BIPV (Building Integrated PVs) apart from being connected to this central system. Supply options for Somervillians is available in the building guidelines, including having their solar panels located at the park instead of on the their rooftops.

Informative metering and data logging facilities are also planned for each household to monitor, understand and manage their own usage levels. Excess power produced will be credited accordingly. To facilitate this energy usage meters as above are currently available for use by SomerVillians.

The other zones within the SomerVille village like the commercial and industrial zones will also be powered via PV solar panels. The community centre is now at architectural design stage with solar glass being planned for the north facing louvers and glass facades, apart from the more conventional PV panels planned for the office building/walkway rooftops. Please click Here to obtain more information about the proposed Community Centre.

It is anticipated that a 100kw central PV system will be installed village wide. This system will be grid connected to the local Western Power SWIS network and it is anticipated that SomerVille Ecovillage^TM will be nett exporters of electrical power. The first 25KW of PV power is scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of 2009.

As of October 2008, discussions on the design brief have been completed and RFQs (request for quote) are being made with potential suppliers. Potential suppliers can also use this brief to initiate discussions for the formulation of proposals especially for the solar farm. Infrastructure for power reticulation and the MSB for solar feed-in has now completed its tender stage.

More information on the PV solar power system can be obtained from K.T.Lim who is the Principal for GEMCO, the SomerVille Enterprise responsible for project managing and subsequently maintaining this village wide solar power system.

The Map below shows the lot layouts and the proposed area for the P-V system. Email K.T. if you need a PDF version, including the Building Guidelines for the 104 residences. Technical specifications pertaining to the MSB and reticulation is also available.