Rooftops and renewables - powering our R&D

Powerco Facilities and Fleet team recently engaged their Ngāmotu Junction St office neighbours Base Power to coordinate rooftop solar for the new Kaimai building refurbishment.

With our strong industry connections for solar installers and equipment, Base Power was pleased to provide project management services and ensure a safe and successful installation on time.

The Kaimai solar generation has also become a key part of Base Power’s R&D and product development.

Engineer Kieran McNair was tasked with designing the rooftop solar PV (photovoltaic) system to include a separate circuit for Base Power to trial and develop its range of microgrid products and services.

“It made sense for us to use the excess space from the Kaimai roof to create additional renewable generation for Base Power” said the recent graduate. “Base Power is Powerco’s own offgrid solution, so bringing our R&D projects back onto the Junction St campus makes it easier to share what we’re up to and to show everyone how these products will benefit Powerco.”

For Property & Fleet Manager Dave Circuitt, partnering with the Base Power team meant he knew the build was in safe hands.

“Solar is what these guys do, and being part of the Powerco team they know what we expect. It was great to see them being a part of our refurbishment and sustainability work.”

Base Power Business Manager Jayson Vinsen agrees.

“Rooftop solar isn’t something we've tradtionally offered, but when Facilities reached out we were more than happy to play our part. We’ve got great local contractors who we trust to deliver a solid job, and the opportunity for us to demonstrate where Base Power is going in the future right here on site is just awesome.”

Key statistics:

22kW for Kaimai and J St Campus, including the EV chargers
25+ kW total generation
900V DC strings
400V 3 Phase AC Output
Trina 370W PV Panels