NOJA Power GMK connects Latitude Solar Farm to Distribution Grid

Two NOJA Power Ground Mount Kiosk (GMK) Switchgear units have been deployed connecting a new photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage project to the distribution grid in Boggabilla, Far North NSW.

Named the Latitude Solar Farm, this 5 MW PV and 4.99 MW/10 MWh lithium-ion battery storage facility was designed by Meralli Solar and developed by Byron Bay Solar Farms Holdings after securing $3,500,000 AUD in state government grant funding.

This is a state-of-the-art facility with the panels being mounted on the PEG racking solution developed by German manufacturer Jurchen Technology. The system features a low-profile frame which sits on slender galvanized steel bars. The solar panels are seated on the frame and secured in place. The lightweight construction means no major foundations are required, eliminating the need for concrete.

NOJA Power’s GMK equipment was selected to provide both protection to the local DNSP Essential Energy and the 15-million-dollar solar farm. Two variants of this product were installed, depending on stakeholder requirements.

The GMK3000, the utility owned asset, complete with the RC-20 controller provides both conventional protection and utility Power Quality monitoring. This arrangement confirms all connection agreement power quality parameters and protection requirements are met. This innovation negates any need for a metering class transformer and class A PQ meter.

The GMK4000, the client owned asset, houses two NOJA Power OSM units configured as Circuit Breakers complete with RC-10 controllers. This arrangement provides the client protection of their investment along with an integration of both power quality and revenue metering functions. Having two circuit breakers allows load shedding under a switching agreement with the local utility.

“Congratulations to Byron Bay Solar Farm Holdings for developing a world class Battery Energy Storage System (BESS),” says NOJA Power Group Managing Director Neil O’Sullivan.

“NOJA Power was proud to be part of the project to provide the medium voltage switchgear required to connect this combined BESS / solar farm to the grid.”

The NOJA Power's GMK solution has fast become the product of choice as design houses look for reliable, efficient, environmentally friendly and maintenance free products for their embedded generation sites.