Featured Project: Warehouse Solar M&V

Case Studies ,

Written by Ecovantage 10 Jan,2025

Note: Client name and site location have been removed from this case study to protect sensitive information. Images shown are not of the installation and are for illustration purposes only.

Client Overview.

The client operates an energy-intensive commercial business from a large warehouse in rural Victoria, Australia, and were looking to implement a 200kW+ rooftop solar PV system.

Project Summary.

Ecovantage was engaged by the client to assess their energy upgrade project and make a recommendation on the highest return through either federal or state energy efficiency incentives. Ecovantage’s Commercial Manager, Katie Tebbatt, established the viability of the project using the Project-Based Activity (PBA) method of Measurement & Verification, in order to create Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) as this would generate the highest certificate value after 12 months, and aligned best with the clients financial goals. Project Lead, Arlen East, ensured that the project received Victorian Energy Upgrade (VEU) approval prior to the upgrade commencing and verified the energy savings resulting from the upgrade.

	Technology Solar PV
	System size 204 kW
	Measurement period 01/02/23 – 31/01/24

Savings Summary.

204 kW Solar PV.

	Baseline energy usage (pre-install) 469.5 MWh		Operating energy usage (post-install) 290.9 MWh
	First year energy savings 178.6 MWh		Savings over 10 years 1,767.8 MWh
	Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) 1,497		Certificate financial value* $90,822.99

*Based on the VEEC contracted price, minus fees.

Normalised Savings.

Measurement & Verification Process.

1. Develop a Baseline Energy Model

Ecovantage was engaged during the planning stages of the solar PV project to develop a Baseline Energy Model for how the site used energy before installing solar PV.

2. Develop an Operating Energy Model

Once the solar PV was installed, the energy use was measured for 12 months to develop an Operating Energy Model. The Energy Models were developed using site specific data including:

- Electricity interval data from the energy retailer
- Cooling Degree Days (CDD)
- Solar exposure (MJ/m2) obtained from the Bureau of Meteorology,
- Quantity of outgoing goods obtained from the site.

3. Measure the savings & generate certificates

The Avoided Energy (measured savings) was quantified by comparing the site’s energy use before and after the installation of solar PV. Based on the verified energy savings resulting from installing solar PV, we were then able to generate and monitise 1,497 Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificates (VEECs) for the client, reducing the payback period significantly.

Project Takeaways.

Ensuring that your installer conducts accurate modelling of the project’s energy savings benefit is key.
This ensures that your project estimates are as close to the end result as possible.