A 100kW Solar Solution for Karratha Central Healthcare
Sector: Solar PV
Client: Karratha Central Healthcare (KCH)
Project: 100kW Roof-Mounted, Grid-Connected Solar System
Empowering a Pillar of Community Health
Karratha Central Healthcare (KCH) is a vital not-for-profit, allied health provider serving the Karratha community. Like any critical healthcare service, their facility has significant and consistent energy needs. To ensure their long-term sustainability, KCH leadership sought a cost-effective solution to reduce their substantial annual energy costs.
The goal was simple but powerful: cut operating costs to redirect more funding into their not-for-profit and charitable programs.
This forward-thinking initiative received incredible backing from the community, with funding support provided by the City of Karratha and Woodside Energy. Coastal Electric & Data was proudly engaged as the local specialist to design, supply, and install a solar solution that could meet KCH’s ambitious goals.
The Coastal Electric Solution: Designing for Maximum Impact
The brief required a system that would deliver maximum energy production and reliable performance in the Pilbara’s unique climate. After a thorough assessment, our team designed and deployed a powerful 100kW grid-connected solar PV system.
The installation was a large-scale commercial project involving:
- 100kW Roof-Mounted Array: We installed a massive solar array, covering the extensive roof of the healthcare facility. The panels were meticulously positioned to optimise sun capture throughout the day, ensuring maximum generation.
- High-Efficiency Inverter System: At the heart of the system, our team installed three premium Fronius Eco 27 inverters. These high-performance units are the “brains” of the operation, safely and efficiently converting the DC power from the panels into usable AC power for the building.
- Grid-Connected Integration: The system was seamlessly integrated with the main switchboard to work as a grid-connect system. This allows KCH to draw power from their solar panels first, only using energy from the grid when needed (such as at night or during periods of exceptionally high demand).
The Result: A “Win for Us and a Win for Our Community”
The impact of the new 100kW system was immediate and transformative. The impact has been immediate and measurable. On clear days, the solar system now supplies up to 95% of the clinic’s total power demand, and even during overcast conditions, it consistently offsets 35–40% of usage.
In the words of KCH Operations Manager Kingsley Murray,
“The solar system has already made a notable difference to our operating costs; on a good day the system is supplying up to 95% of our power needs, and in overcast and low-light conditions about 35–40%. These savings can then be used for our not-for-profit and charitable programs …it’s a win for us and a win for our community.”
This transformation allows Karratha Central Healthcare to focus more on what matters most: delivering accessible, high-quality care to local residents.
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