Goonhilly Earth Station Uses Solar Modules From Hanwha Q Cells To Power Satellite Dishes
Solar modules from Hanwha Q CELLS Co., Ltd. help to power space science at Goonhilly Earth Station on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, UK. The famous satellite station which has been undergoing recent transformation now utilizes a 350 kilowatts (“KW”) solar system to use clean energy for the operation of their satellite dishes. The system was installed on the roof-top of the satellite station´s main building by Solar Capital, project developer and Harris Miller, the EPC contractor. The modules of the renowned Q CELLS brand were provided by one of the largest global solar companies, Hanwha Q CELLS. The electricity generated from the system will be self-consumed on site to support the Earth station operations of the satellite dishes, data centre and variety of accommodation.
Goonhilly Earth Station is famous for many reasons, but perhaps most notably, for receiving the first ever trans-Atlantic satellite TV images in 1962. Since then, the site has played a key role in world wide communication events as the Muhammed Ali fights, Olympic Games and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Today the station is a fully operational satellite communications teleport and is developing a deep space communications facility. Goonhilly Earth Station carries business internet data, and also is used as a command and control centre gateway for controlling various satellites.
Piran Trezise, Director of Goonhilly Earth Station said: “We are opening a new chapter in the rich history of Goonhilly Earth Station by transforming the site and diversifying the communications operations undertaken here. The satellites in space that are controlled by Goonhilly Earth station have always been running on power from photovoltaic panels, simply because photovoltaic is the most economical solution to reliably supply power for satellites. We are thrilled that after over 50 years of operation, Goonhilly Earth Station now also is, in part, powered by sunlight.”
Angus Fraser, Director at Solar Capital mentioned: “The system shows that photovoltaic self-consumption makes economic sense for all kinds of customers. Each kilowatt-hour produced by the system will replace an expensive kilowatt-hour from the grid and at the same time improve the carbon-footprint of the site.”Jonathan Goose, Sales Director of UK, Ireland and Scandinavia at Hanwha Q CELLS said: “We are delighted that our high quality modules were chosen for this prestigious project. In space just like on earth, high performance and long-term reliability of the photovoltaic panels are key to ensure returns for investors. Hanwha Q CELLS is highly committed to make photovoltaic the most cost effective source of power on earth.”
