Technology

Solenergy Group complete 401kW system for Cairns Aquarium to power animal life support systems, with donations from GoodWe, Greensketch and co-funding from Queensland Government

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2025

CAIRNS, Australia, April 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Queensland solar retailer, Solenergy Group has completed the installation of a 401kW solar system for Cairns Aquarium, one of the top tourist destinations in Cairns and one of the city’s largest energy users, in an effort to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, improve resilience to power spikes and power cuts during inclement weather. The system was made possible through four 100kW HT inverters that were donated by GoodWe and Greensketch, along with additional funding from the Queensland Government’s Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure Fund (BRTI).

With over 5 million litres of water on site running through 14 plantrooms and 71 living displays, housing some 16,000 fish and aquatic organisms including ocean-going sharks, rays and grouper, within a 7,800 square metre airconditioned building, this $400,000 renewable energy investment will provide 100% of the Aquariums energy needs to power its Life Support Systems (LSS) which includes aquatic pumps and mechanical and biological filtration that operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to provide purified water for the inhabitants.

The renewable energy generated by the massive solar array will deliver tangible environmental benefits for the city which includes the equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 12,872 trees planted each year or the avoidance of 213,830 litres of fuel used per year or the avoidance of 243,017 kilos of coal burnt each year. Despite being located on the building’s 11-metre-high roof top, visitors to the Cairns Aquarium can still see the energy generation in real time through a live display screen in the Aquarium’s lobby.

Director of Solenergy Group, Mark Ridgley commented:

“The project involved a lot of obstacles for our team, such as designing and engineering a system that could work alongside grid sourced power without impacting sensitive computerised water quality plant and equipment. Almost 700 x 585W solar panels were installed on the Aquarium rooftop, occupying near 4,000 square meters of space, that also required additional design and logistical solutions for volume and weight distribution, especially for a site that operates 24hrs a day and is open 365 days a year to over 300,000 visitors from around the world.

We were delighted that GoodWe and Greensketch were able to donate the four inverters, to assist the Aquarium and help make the project possible. We selected GoodWe HT Inverters due to an overall specification focused on continual performance and maximising of solar energy yields to provide the lowest levelized cost of electricity (LCOE). In addition, the enhanced safety features such as IP66 ratings, lightning surge protection and internal humidity monitoring, made GoodWe the ideal choice in a tropical climate and Cairns Aquarium’s specific application.”

Dean Williamson, Country Manager at GoodWe Australia, emphasised the value of this system:

“This project was an extremely important one, not only to assist the operation of a key focus of tourism for Cairns and support its economy, but also to ensure the protection and care of all the livestock in the Aquarium that is all local to the region, including many endangered species. Thanks to the support of OSW’s Greensketch platform, we were able to donate the inverters needed for this massive job and help it get across the line.”

About GoodWe:
GoodWe is a world-leading PV inverter and energy storage systems manufacturer listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 688390). The company has more than 5000 employees located in 15 different countries and a team of over 1000 engineers working at its R&D centres to continuously optimise and advance energy storage technology. GoodWe storage inverters were ranked in the top 3 globally by Wood Mackenzie in 2022, the company was ranked 2nd in the top Australian inverter suppliers by Sunwiz and the most financially stable inverter company by BloombergNEF. Having achieved over seven consecutive TÜV Rheinland “All Quality Matters” awards and consistently being ranked at the top in terms of overall product quality, GoodWe’s comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions for residential, commercial, and utility-scale PV systems is guaranteed to deliver high performance and reliable quality across the board. For more information, please visit www.goodwe.com.au

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/solenergy-group-complete-401kw-system-for-cairns-aquarium-to-power-animal-life-support-systems-with-donations-from-goodwe-greensketch-and-co-funding-from-queensland-government-302433114.html

SOURCE GoodWe

Technology

FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

Published

1 hour ago

May 3, 2026

Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

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SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

3 hours ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/