Cook Medical Australia has installed a 706 square metre
solar panel field at the company’s Brisbane headquarters, and estimates a
payback period of 15 years on the investment.
In
a statement, the company’s managing director Barry Thomas said the large roof
space and the location meant “harnessing solar power was an obvious solution”,
with financial and environmental benefits.
The
set-up was installed by Positronic Solar and uses passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) solar cells. Installation was finished in January.
“The
design utilises Schneider-Electric inverters and WINAICO high efficiency PERC
280W Monocrystalline modules – some of the most advanced technology available,”
said Positronic’s director, John Inglis.
“The
panels are not only efficient even in low light, but also perform very well at
high temperatures – which is of course very important here in Queensland.”
According
to Thomas, the solar panel array was already offsetting daily power needs by 30
per cent, and would pay for themselves “within 15 years”.
Cook
Medical Australia was established in 1979, and employs over 500 at its Eight
Mile Plains site.
The
company exports about nine-tenths of what it makes. It has received numerous export awards, and was a finalist in last year’s Manufacturers’ Monthly Endeavour Awards.
Image: supplied