SMW Group producing cleaning equipment for Adani Renewables Australia’s Rugby Run Solar Farm

SMW group operations manager Cameron Tragardh says the contract is a vote of confidence for Central Queensland’ resources industry.

Rockhampton-based SMW Group is helping to produce custom-designed equipment to clean the more than 247,000 solar panels at central Queensland’s Rugby Run Solar Farm.

The project, near Moranbah, is Adani Renewables Australia’s first solar farm and achieved mechanical completion in November 2018.

SMW group operations manager Cameron Tragardh said securing the contract to supply the equipment was a great outcome for SMW Group and a vote of confidence for Central Queensland’ resources industry.

He said SMW Group was proud to continue its partnership with Adani’s businesses in Australia after previously working with Adani Australia’s mining business, Bravus Mining and Resources, to make custom haul truck trays.

“We are really proud to align ourselves with any business that values giving back to local communities,” Mr Tragardh said.

SMW Group is helping produce custom-designed cleaning equipment for the thousands of solar panels at central Queensland’s Rugby Run Solar Farm.

“At SMW Group we have been providing equipment for the mining sector for a long time so it made a lot of sense for our business to adapt some of the equipment that we use on a mine site for use in solar panel cleaning.”

Adani Renewables Australia’s business manager Derek Chapman said the new machine would help to maximise the panels’ energy production and improve operational efficiency.

“There’s a large mining services knowledge base in our region so it is great to see companies like SMW Group, who have always been focused on traditional mining, use their capability for renewable projects as well,” he said.

“Adani Renewables Australia has a proud history of working with regional Queensland businesses and it has always been our intention to continue to work with local suppliers wherever possible.

“The cleaning equipment that SMW Group has developed is specifically designed for Rugby Run with the cleaning arm and rotating brushes tailored for our panels.

“We have been really impressed by SMW Group’s willingness to work with us to get the product right for our operations and look forward to seeing the results of this relationship over time.”

Adani Renewables Australia is part of the Adani Group which, in 2020, was recognised as the world’s largest multinational solar company with 25GW of operating, installed and committed capacity.

Rugby Run Solar Farm by the numbers:

• 1.3 million galvanised zip ties to be used in the stringing of electrical cables.
• More than 247,000 solar panels installed.
• 175 jobs at peak construction.
• 18km of fence line installed.
• 7.2km of road built to access the site.
• 6,500 holes pre-drilled.