The system consists of 1282 solar panels, 641 optimisers and five inverters which can produce up to 2MWhr of electricity per day.
ERH’s executive project manager Mark Hooper said the new panels complement the diesel generator replacement project completed in 2020.
“The new solar panels allow ERH to operate off-grid at any time without the loss of power,” Mr Hooper said.
“The system is the third solar energy project undertaken at ERH and complements the two solar thermal systems which provide hot water, heating and cooling.
“The first system marked its 10th anniversary in April and has delivered high quality hot water to the absorption chillers saving energy costs now for more than a decade.”
Mr Hooper said ERH had ensured its sustainability credentials were “at the top tier in the healthcare sector”.
“Along with solar PV and solar thermal projects, the hospital also has two large recycled water systems that significantly reduce water consumption,” he said.
“The hospital also has a 100 per cent fresh air system with over 700kW of heat recovery which was completed in 2014 and is now the design of choice for new hospitals with the rise of COVID-19.
“This design will also be used in the upcoming Cancer and Wellness Centre.”
Another significant project underway at ERH is the AI-MPC project which is being run in conjunction with CSIRO and Conserve it.
This project uses leading edge artificial intelligence software to predict the air conditioning load of the hospital ahead of time and selects the most efficient chiller to run to meet the demand.
“These ongoing sustainability projects and the drive of the engineering team ensure ERH continues to lead the way in sustainability in regional health services,” ERH chief executive Nick Bush said.
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