Rockcliffe Winery has fully converted its energy use to source renewable solar power, with lithium battery storage. Solar panels have been installed on the roof of the winery and excess energy is stored in three. by 13.5kW, Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries.

Owner Dr Steve Hall said: “Everybody should use solar power, it makes total sense. Australia has an abundance of solar energy and all businesses and households should take advantage of it. Environmentally, Rockcliffe has always sought to reduce its carbon footprint as much as possible and we are delighted to install this new system. It is our long-term aim to operate to high environmental standards and we want to be as sustainable as possible – this is a big step forward in that direction.”

Solar panels and a second lithium battery system have been installed at the nearby Rockcliffe Cellar Door. This powers the owner’s house onsite. Vineyard irrigation pumps also have a separate solar-powered system, partially due to the remote position of the water source.

The winery is self-sufficient for water us as well. The property has no access to scheme water, despite the government’s Denmark scheme water main running within 40 meters of the winery. The winery uses filtered dam water for much of the irrigation and cleaning. Filtered rainwater (largely collected from roofs of buildings) rinses anything that wine touches, such as pipes and tanks, as well as drinking water.

The new solar panels and battery equipment was installed by Kluem Electrical Services, based in Canning Vale, Perth. Kluem is run by directors Marc Maschette and Kyace Weeding.

Kluem Electrical Services Director Marc Maschette said: “We installed 227 x 440w Leapton Solar panels connected to a 100kw Huawei Solar Inverter. This will produce, on average, 300kWh-500kWh of power per day. The excess power, not being used by the winery, can be stored in three 13.5kw Tesla Powerwall 2 batteries, an ideal solution for Rockcliffe. Agribusinesses around WA should look at installing similar systems. Not only will the solar systems be better for the environment but, in the long run, energy costs will come down. Remote parts of Western Australia, connected to the grid, often experience power outages. We expect the new Rockcliffe system will provide consistent, reliable power.”