Image Credit: Casella Family Brands, photography by Vince Bucello
21 June 2024 - Trina Solar, a global leader in smart PV and energy storage solutions, has partnered with Casella Family Brands, one of Australia's largest family-owned wineries, to inaugurate a 5.7MW solar farm near its production site in Yenda, New South Wales, Australia.
The multi-million dollar solar farm, comprises 8,730 Trina Solar low voltage Vertex 650-655W (DEG21C.20) bifacial modules mounted on approximately one hundred TrinaTracker (a business unit of Trina Solar) Vanguard 2P trackers, capable of generating 11.53GWh of electricity annually. This output will fulfill approximately 35% of the power needs of the Yenda facility, which processes and bottles the majority of Casella Family Brands’ portfolio, including the world-renowned Yellow Tail wine.
The solar farm also marks a paradigm shift as it’s the first in the entire Asia Pacific region to fully integrate Vanguard 2P trackers with these large format low voltage 650-655W modules. This combination results in significant savings on electrical components and installation labor, and a significant levelized cost of energy (LCOE) reduction as more large-size modules in longer electrical strings, and therefore more overall generation capacity, can be mounted on each tracker. As the industry’s only total solutions provider, Trina Solar has a unique top-down perspective on the technological know-how on how to overcome large module-tracker stability challenges due to increased wind load caused by the size of the modules, which are now approximately 60% larger in area and 20% longer than the previous incarnation of modules only a couple of years ago. It conducted comprehensive wind tunnel tests with CPP and RWDI, the world’s leading wind energy consultancies to unequivocally ensure and validate tracker stability in combination with these ultra-high power modules. Moreover, its intelligent tracking algorithm, known as SuperTrack, leverages AI to optimize panel tilt, further enhancing energy generation by more than 3%. Additionally, TrinaTracker's Trina Smart Cloud, a tracker-side photovoltaic power station digital platform, ensures remote operations and maintenance diagnostics for maximum efficiency and reliability.
By choosing to select both module and tracker technology as an integrated solution from Trina Solar, Casella Family Brands, as a long-term system owner and operator, can enjoy greater assurance of long-term support and availability of spare parts for the entirety of the asset's operating lifetime. Trina Solar has scored 100% in the BloombergNEF (BNEF) Bankability Survey for the past seven years, underscoring its reliability and financial stability through the use of its products and services.
The solar farm is a significant milestone in Australia's renewable energy landscape. In the 2020-21 financial year, Australia's wine sector emitted more than 1.77 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere. Wine Australia aims to reduce emissions across the supply chain by 42% by 2030 using increased renewable electricity. As one of Australia’s largest wineries, the new solar farm is the first step in Casella Family Brands’ journey to reducing its carbon emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieving 100% by 2050.
“Solar energy is the most significant contributor to achieving our net-zero emissions pathway. When we decided to build a large solar farm to generate clean electricity for our production site, we wanted to partner with a leading manufacturer able to provide best-in-class, innovative solutions. Trina Solar pioneers solar technologies that are continuously evolving to meet the needs of the market. For our project, they designed Australia’s largest 2-panel tracking system and supplied both the tracking system and the solar panels. Trina Solar’s support has been instrumental in achieving a successful outcome.” says Flaminio Dondina, General Manager.
Edison Zhou, the Head of Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands at Trina Solar Asia Pacific said, "Trina Solar is proud to support Casella Family Brands on this landmark project together with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) provider Next Generation Electrical (NGE). Our cutting-edge solar solutions, coupled with innovative tracking technology, have enabled Casella Family Brands to harness the power of the sun on an unprecedented scale. This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to driving sustainable development and reshaping the future of renewable energy in Australia."
By harnessing Trina Solar's market-leading solutions, Casella Family Brands sets a new standard for sustainability within the beverage industry, reaffirming its commitment to environmental stewardship and paving the way for a greener tomorrow.
About Trina Solar
Founded in 1997, Trina Solar is mainly engaged in PV products, PV systems and smart energy. PV products include R&D, production and sales of PV modules. PV systems consist of power stations and system products. Smart energy mainly comprises PV power generation and operation and maintenance, smart solutions for energy storage, smart microgrid, and development and sales of multi-energy systems. We are committed to leading the way in smart PV and energy storage solutions and facilitating the transformation of new power systems for a net-zero future.
Trina Solar has a presence in more than 170 countries and regions. By the end of March 2024, its cumulative shipments of PV modules had exceeded 205GW, which is equivalent to planting 15.1 billion trees worldwide.
With innovation-driven development as its most important strategy and core driving force, Trina Solar has put in place a comprehensive and leading science and innovation system. So far, Trina Solar has set or broken 26 world records in terms of PV cell conversion efficiency and module power output.
Going forward, by fulfilling its mission of “Solar Energy for All”, Trina Solar aims to bring together the strengths of all the stakeholders with a cooperative and open attitude to lead the development of the industry, and make contributions to global energy conservation, emission reduction and sustainable development.
About Casella Family Brands
Casella Family Brands (CFB) is Australia’s largest family-owned wine company based in Yenda, New South Wales. Led by Managing Director John Casella, it was propelled to the forefront of the export arena in 2001 by its hugely successful Yellow Tail brand.
CFB is proud to offer a range of distinct and outstanding wines for every price point and occasion. In addition to Yellow Tail, CFB offers a growing stable of fine wines, including Casella Family Wines, Peter Lehmann Wines, Brand’s Laira, Morris of Rutherglen, Baileys of Glenrowan, and Atmata.
For more information, visit www.casellafamilybrands.com.