Reliable Power for a Remote Cattle Farm

Reliable Power for a Remote Cattle Farm

A tailored off-grid energy solution delivered by RJ Warren Solar & Electrical, supported by DPA

Project Overview

When a remote cattle farming operation in regional Queensland needed reliable power for a workshop and worker accommodation, extending the electricity network was considered, and quickly ruled out.

Instead, RJ Warren Solar & Electrical partnered with DPA to design and deliver a standalone off-grid energy system capable of reliably supporting daily operations, cost-effectively and without dependence on the grid.

The Challenge

Located between Gladstone and Biloela, the site required a dependable power supply for:

  • A remote workshop
  • On-site worker accommodation
  • Daily operational loads with limited tolerance for downtime

Extending mains power from the homestead or the Ergon Energy network proved prohibitively expensive, making grid connection impractical.

The core challenge was accurately assessing the property’s power demands and determining the right balance of solar generation, storage capacity, and system resilience, without oversizing or introducing unnecessary complexity.

The Requirements

The client needed a solution that could:

  • Operate completely off-grid
  • Deliver reliable, consistent power in a rural environment
  • Be scalable and serviceable over time
  • Minimise long-term operating and maintenance costs

Just as importantly, the system needed to be designed with a clear understanding of real-world usage, not theoretical assumptions.

The Solution

After working through load profiles and usage scenarios, RJ Warren Solar & Electrical designed a tailored standalone power system, supported by DPA’s technical guidance and product expertise.

Once the capabilities of modern off-grid solar and battery storage systems were clearly demonstrated, the client quickly saw the value. From there, the focus shifted to refining the system design to meet the site’s specific energy needs.

The final solution combined proven technologies across generation, storage, control, and safety, delivering a robust, fully independent energy setup.

 

Key system components included:

  • Victron Energy
    • Cerbo GX MK2 and display
    • MultiPlus-II inverter/charger
    • SmartSolar MPPT charge controller
  • PowerPlus Energy
    • ECO 51.2VDC LFP battery modules
    • PowerPlus Energy cabinet (PEF12W-B250)
  • AERL
    • EarthGuard ground fault detection for enhanced system safety

The Result

The completed installation delivers:

  • Reliable off-grid power for daily operations
  • Reduced reliance on diesel generation
  • A cost-effective alternative to network extension
  • Long-term energy independence for the property

The system now provides predictable performance in a remote setting, supporting both operational efficiency and future flexibility.

This project highlights how modern off-grid technology can offer real, practical value to rural businesses facing high infrastructure costs, without compromising reliability.

Installer Perspective

“Once the client understood what was possible with modern off-grid systems, the conversation shifted very quickly. From there, it was about getting the sizing right and delivering something that would just work — day in, day out.”

— RJ Warren Solar & Electrical

System At a Glance

  • System type: Standalone off-grid solar + battery
  • Solar capacity: 8.8kw
  • Battery storage: 28.2kWh
  • Inverter platform: Victron Energy
  • Battery chemistry: LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)
  • Safety & monitoring: AERL EarthGuard, Victron monitoring

Why This Matters for Installers

Projects like this reinforce a key lesson for off-grid installations:

Good outcomes come from understanding real-world usage, not assumptions.

With the right system design, component selection, and commissioning approach, off-grid solutions can deliver dependable power in demanding rural environments, often at a lower total cost than traditional grid extension.

Lessons Learned

  • Define the operating mode early

Clear agreement on how the system would be used day to day helped avoid assumptions around load behaviour and backup expectations.

  • Validate real-world loads, not estimates

Reviewing actual equipment usage and peak demand ensured the system was sized correctly from the outset, avoiding unnecessary oversizing or future constraints.

  • Design for reliability first, expansion second

Prioritising system stability and simplicity delivered a dependable outcome, while still allowing for future expansion if site requirements change.

  • Plan commissioning around off-grid operation

Treating commissioning as an off-grid project — not a variation of an on-grid install — helped streamline setup and reduce on-site adjustments.

  • Remote monitoring matters in rural locations

Reliable system visibility and diagnostics are critical where site access is limited and response times matter.

Looking to Design a Reliable Off-Grid System?

DPA works closely with experienced installers like RJ Warren Solar & Electrical to support system design, product selection, and commissioning, ensuring off-grid systems perform as expected in the field.

👉 Talk to the DPA team about your next off-grid project.

 

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