Achievements

Kinelli has pioneered the deployment of solar and storage in Australia. We have several global firsts to our credit, including:

  • The first solar farm connected to the Essential Energy Network;

  • The first BESS connected to the Essential Energy Network;

  • The first utility-scale solar farms that were cost-effective enough to proceed without grant support;

  • An award-winning project that was the largest Australian plant using ‘smart’ solar panels and the largest PEG system in the world at the time of construction in 2017;

  • Delivering the first project in Australia to negotiate the Generator Performance Standards (GPS) and complete connection testing based on PSCAD network studies;

  • The highest productivity factors in the world for solar farm construction;

  • Developing site layout design tools and installation techniques that suit Australian conditions, achieve lower construction costs and maximise land use efficiency;

  • Delivering the first project to achieve debt financing of a merchant plant through an Australian bank independent of the CEFC; and

  • Australian Cleantech Awards – Large-scale DC water pumping system with novel maximum power point tracking algorithm using real-time motor field regulation (2011); and

  • Finalist in the Clean Energy Council Large Scale Design Awards in 2018.

Project Case Studies

  • KANOWNA SOLAR FARM

    Located at Bullarah NSW, the 4.98 MW AC/9 MW DC facility was energised in July 2019 and features PV modules with Maxim DC optimisers; SMA central inverters; and a PEG framing system with an east-west orientation. Kanowna was the first project in Australia to employ SMA’s Hybrid Plant Controller and the first to incorporate DC-coupling capability.

    Kinelli provided a comprehensive suite of services, managing the entire project and delivering engineering and professional services to support every stage. Our team continues to manage the operations of this power station.

  • CHILLAMURRA SOLAR FARM

    Located at Boggabilla NSW, Chillamurra is a 3.6 MW AC/4.8 MW DC array that utilises Jinko PV modules with Maxim DC optimisers, SMA string inverters, and a Jurchen-Technology framing system with an east-west orientation.

    Energised in 2017 under a merchant plant model, it was the largest “smart” (DC-Optimised) solar farm in the southern hemisphere and the largest PEG site in the world at the time of construction.

    Kinelli initiated the project and managed approvals, engineering, procurement, construction and operations. Kinelli's scope extended from initial design to selection and management of suppliers and construction project management. Chillamurra was the first southern hemisphere site to use the innovative Jurchen-Technology framing system and SMA’s Medium Voltage Station. Kinelli developed proprietary construction methodologies to maximise labour productivity factors.

  • DUNBLANE SOLAR FARM

    Located at Barcaldine Qld, the 7.2 MW AC/11 W DC array was energised in 2017 utilising Jinko PV Modules and SMA MVPS central inverters.

    Development of the facility included overcoming challenging low short-circuit ratio and fringe-of-grid issues and was the first project to deliver an AEMO-approved PSCAD model and analysis.

    The Kinelli team was involved in all facets of this project, including the concept, sourcing the land, engineering design, and managing regulatory approvals with the Barcaldine Council and Ergon Energy. The Ergon approval required managing the complex network studies and technical modelling. The project directly raised finance from private equity and an ASX-listed fund. Efficient build costs and the rapid deployment that took advantage of high prevailing market prices for energy and LGCs meant this project did not require any grant subsidy or financing from CEFC or ARENA. We negotiated an exit for the investors in 2021, selling the plant to a London-based fund manager.

  • WATHAGAR SOLAR FARM

    Located at the Wathagar Cotton Gin and delivered for Sundown Pastoral Company, the 4.95 MW AC/8.8 MW DC facility utilises JA Solar PV modules, Sungrow SG4950 Central PV Inverters, 11MWh of water-cooled storage and InAccess PPC in a behind-the-meter configuration. Wathagar is the first project in Australia to deploy Sungrow's water-cooled storage.

    The project reduced the carbon footprint of producing cotton fibre and formed part of the client's overarching strategy to achieve net zero through enhanced soil sequestration and an upcoming on-site green hydrogen/fertiliser plant.The project directly supports the client's goal of self-sufficiency and self-determination in terms of meeting their climate goals.

    The project is operational and supplying the energy for the 2023 ginning season.