A unique project and partnership between IKEA Australia, Planet Ark Power and Epic Energy, and with support from SA Power Networks and the South Australian Government, it was necessary to implement best practice project management for a successful rollout.

Key challenges of this project were to maximise solar generation and to guarantee the financial viability of the project.

Due to network constraints, SA Power Networks (SAPN) initially approved a 640 kW solar PV system. However, this was inadequate for financial viability and the energy needs of a busy retail site. To accommodate more solar, SAPN required dedicated amounts of VARs to be injected into the grid and the eleXsys Energy Management System was central to solving the issue.

The eleXsys units operate as VAR compensators to generate reactive power which assists with grid voltage regulation and reduces the need for expensive capacitor banks. eleXsys units operate in the absence of active input power and can provide grid services under low light or night-time conditions.

With the eleXsys Energy Management System it was possible to increase the solar system to 1.2 MW, and to utilise all available roof space, whilst improving the financial return for the investors. A secondary benefit was that eleXsys units eliminated grid-imposed curtailment of solar generation, maximising solar generation output, and earning an income stream from selling surplus energy to the grid.