Case Study

Agright Meriki

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IN SUMMARY:

Australia's Largest Off-Grid Poultry Farm

Key Project Stats

Annual energy consumption 411k MWh

Annual CO2 reduction of 1698.3t

Annual battery consumed 930.5 MWh

Annual solar consumed 1575.4 MWh

They don't come much bigger than this.

Smart Commercial Solar is proud to announce the completion of Australia’s largest off-grid poultry farm project for our valued customer, Agright.

This landmark project, located near Griffith, NSW, sets a new standard for renewable energy in agriculture and showcases our commitment to innovative and sustainable energy solutions. Agright, a leading developer of high-quality agricultural infrastructure with in-house design and construction capabilities, operates poultry farms under secure long-term contracts with leading poultry processors. Their facilities are market-leading, incorporating best practices in animal welfare and sustainability.

THE CHALLENGE

Agright, a market-leading poultry business, faced significant challenges in accessing grid energy for their remote Meriki farm. The high costs and logistical difficulties of connecting to the grid necessitated an innovative off-grid solution. Agright aimed to establish a new benchmark for off-grid farms in Australia, meeting both their sustainability targets and financial goals.

The challenge was not just technical but also logistical, given the rural location and the need to maintain bio-health controls on a working broiler chicken farm. This required meticulous planning and execution to ensure the project could proceed without disrupting farm operations or compromising animal welfare standards.

THE SOLUTION

To address these challenges, Smart Commercial Solar designed and constructed a comprehensive off-grid energy system tailored to Agright's unique needs. Our solution included:

- 3.98 MW ground-mounted solar panels
- 3.4 MVA PV inverter
- 4.4 MWh of battery storage
- 3.45 MVA of battery inverter
- 11kV private distribution network covering 4.2km
- 2 MVA synchronous generator
- 6 diesel generators for backup

This advanced system powers a small village of six staff houses, 40 large chicken barns, and associated buildings, ensuring reliable and sustainable energy for Agright's operations. The high-voltage microgrid provides robust and resilient energy infrastructure capable of supporting the extensive energy needs of the farm.

THE RESULTS

The completion of this project marks a significant achievement for both Smart Commercial Solar and Agright. The Meriki farm, now running almost entirely on renewable energy, produces among the lowest emissions for meat protein in Australia. This project not only meets Agright's ESG targets but also aligns with their financial objectives. The system had up to 40 staff working on the project onsite at any given time, demonstrating the scale and complexity of the installation.

Despite the challenges posed by the rural location and the operational requirements of a working broiler chicken farm, the project was completed successfully. Early results indicate that the system's performance is in line with predictions, demonstrating the feasibility and benefits of large-scale off-grid renewable energy solutions. This success underscores the potential of renewable energy to transform remote and rural operations, paving the way for future advancements in the industry.

"Sustainability is at the forefront of our business model. Chicken is already the meat protein with the lowest carbon footprint, but we are continually looking for ways to reduce this footprint further. The next phase, which we will be working on with Smart, is to actively pursue options to reduce emissions related to heating our barns."

Daniel Bryant

Owner of Agright

THE SUMMARY

Smart Commercial Solar's innovative off-grid energy solution for Agright's Meriki farm has set a new benchmark for the agricultural sector in Australia. By overcoming significant logistical challenges and delivering a high-performance system, we have demonstrated our expertise and commitment to sustainability.

This project highlights the potential for renewable energy to enable remote and rural operations to achieve sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint. The partnership between Smart Commercial Solar and Agright exemplifies how innovative energy solutions can drive significant environmental and financial benefits, creating a model for others to follow in the agricultural industry.

PARTNERS & SUPPLIERS

Sungrow (Battery Storage and Inverters)
Hunter PV (Procurement Partner)
Jinko (PV Panels)
SolSrv and Squared Electrical (Installation Partners)
Green Generation (Control System Engineering and Implementation)
FTC Solar (Trackers)