One of the biggest solar panel installations of its kind has been completed at Asahi Beverages’ Yatala brewery in Queensland, using around 7000 solar panels to brew beer. The project is part of Asahi’s commitment to reduce its emissions by 50 per cent by 2025.
According to Yatala brewery plant manager Tom Robinson the panels will produce around 150 million stubbies or cans per year.
The project was led by Smart Commercial Solar in partnership with AMPYR Energy. Around 20 people were employed to carry out the 18-month installation process, resulting in more than 150 kilometres of cable being laid without interfering with brewing operations.
The brewery is using the new 3.01 MWp system on its rooftops with panels spread across 15,000 square metres, generating enough electricity to power more than 8000 homes and 9000 beer fridges annually said Robinson.
“Queensland is beautiful one day and perfect the next, so it makes sense to harness that perfect weather to make perfect beer.
“The beer itself won’t change, with the same ingredients and brewing methods used. Only now when the sun’s making you hot, it’ll also be making you a cold one,” Robinson said.
Asahi Beverages acquired Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) last year, which owns and operates the Yatala brewery. Its combined Australian alcohol operation now operates under the CUB name. The solar panel installation is part of Asahi’s sustainable commitment of reaching all electricity being sourced by renewable energy by 2025, including the VB electric truck fleet in Melbourne, being a founding signatory of the ANZPAC Plastics Pact, and its PET recycling facility joint venture with Pact and Cleanaway.
Robinson said within four years the goal is to ensure Yatala is powered through directly sourced and offset solar energy, acknowledging that the current project is not enough to power the entire brewery.
Smart Commercial Solar general manager Maximilian Stenning said the project was the company’s most complex installation in Australia due to the brewery’s size.
“Asahi is at the leading edge of a quickly emerging trend among organisations to embrace ambitious projects that realise economic benefits for the business while delivering climate impact.”
Stenning added the central solar control room was escorted by police to the site because of its size.
“The scope of it is amazing and sets the standard for breweries globally. We believe it’s Australia’s fifth largest onsite solar project and we are extremely impressed by Asahi Beverages’ commitment to take on a solar project of this magnitude,” he said.
