Enervest CEO Ross Warby discusses the company's floating solar project on a live water utility reservoir, highlighting its significance beyond the client's needs. Warby emphasizes Enervest's legacy in commercial and industrial solar PV, shaping their development approach. He notes that floating solar is not Enervest's strategic focus, as they have shifted towards battery storage assets. The Brierly Basin project, however, serves as a capstone of Enervest's past, showcasing their expertise and partnerships. Warby delves into the engineering challenges of floating solar, explaining the design decisions made at Brierly Basin to ensure safety and functionality. He discusses the maintenance considerations, including access and the unique launch ramp designed for the reservoir's rock-faced embankment. Warby compares the O&M profile of floating solar to ground-mount systems, noting the advantages of water-based environments for panel cooling and self-cleaning. He acknowledges the proven fundamentals of floating solar globally but highlights the local gap in Australia. Warby attributes the slower market growth to economics, regulation, and risk perception. He argues that the economics work when displacing retail electricity for on-site operations, as demonstrated by the Brierly Basin project's positive business case. Warby identifies water utilities and agricultural irrigators as potential markets for floating solar, citing the co-benefits of reduced evaporation and avoided peak network demand charges. He emphasizes the importance of reference projects and regulatory frameworks in accelerating the market, leaving a lasting template for future projects.
