TL;DR
- Industrial solar pays back in 3-5 years for most Mackay workshops and yards.
- Remote sites: solar+battery+genset hybrids cut diesel 40-70%.
- Specify corrosion-rated panels (IEC 61701) and dust-sealed inverters.
- HV-connected sites need embedded-generator agreements with Ergon.
Mackay's industrial profile
Mackay services BMA, BHP, Glencore and dozens of Tier-2 contractors. Yards, workshops, wash-bays, dewatering rigs and fabrication shops all have high daytime electrical load — ideal for solar.
Typical industrial projects we see
- Workshop roof solar (50-200 kW): offset welding, compressors, overhead cranes, EOT HVAC.
- Yard canopy solar: carports over laydown areas double as weather protection.
- Diesel-offset hybrids for remote sites: solar PV + BESS + genset controller (ComAp, DEIF).
- HV embedded generation: 500 kW to multi-MW plants with Ergon connection agreements.
Diesel offset — the big win for remote sites
Many mining-services laydown yards and exploration camps in the Bowen Basin run 24/7 diesel gensets. Adding a solar+BESS+controller hybrid typically:
- Cuts diesel consumption 40-70%.
- Reduces genset running hours (less maintenance, longer engine life).
- Lowers on-site emissions (ESG reporting).
- Pays back in 3-5 years at diesel prices above $1.70/L.
Corrosion, dust and heat
Industrial environments are harsher than rooftop residential. Spec checklist:
- Panels tested to IEC 61701 (salt mist), IEC 62716 (ammonia), TÜV Desert Test (abrasion).
- Frames: marine-grade anodised Al or hot-dip-galvanised steel for coastal sites.
- Inverters: IP65+, ambient rating to 60°C, filtered enclosures for dusty environments.
- Cabling: UV-rated, rodent-protected conduit in yards where vermin activity is high.
HV & embedded generation
Systems above ~1.5 MW typically require 11 kV or 22 kV connection with an Ergon Embedded Generator Agreement. Next Phase manages the full process: grid-connection study, protection coordination, SCADA handshake, commissioning witness tests.
FAQs
Do we need approval from site owners / landlords?
Yes. Most industrial leases in Mackay allow rooftop solar with landlord consent and reinstatement clauses. We provide standard consent templates as part of engineering.
What about cyclone compliance on industrial sheds?
All Mackay installs are engineered to AS/NZS 1170.2 wind region C cyclonic. We specify Sunlock C+ rails or equivalent with full wind-certified documentation for insurer and certifier review.
Industrial feasibility study
Send us your energy bill and site address — we'll return a commercial-grade feasibility within 72 hours.
Request feasibility