The Southern Hotel
A future-ready energy system for a 24-hour venue.
Kearneys Spring, Toowoomba, QLD
Rooftop solar, solar shade structures, battery storage and EV charging for a busy hospitality venue.
Annual solar production
Expected.
Battery storage
Integrated system.
EV chargers
On-site.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
One venue. Multiple energy technologies.
CLIENT
The Southern Hotel
COMMISSIONED
13 March 2025
01 / THE CHALLENGES
The Southern Hotel’s energy profile presented several key challenges, including high daytime consumption (especially during summer), growing reliance on the grid, and rising and unpredictable energy costs due to occupancy levels,.
Around-the-clock operations
The hotel needed the installation to avoid disrupting customers, staff and service.
Seasonal energy peaks
Demand and costs fluctuate with occupancy, weather and summer activity.
Grid exposure
The venue sought greater resilience against rising and unpredictable electricity prices.
THE SYSTEM AT WORK
From site to useful energy
Site assessment
Converts sunlight into clean electricity.
Tailored design
Upgraded infrastructure moves energy safely across the site.
Delivery and care
On-site generation helps reduce reliance on the grid.
02 / THE SOLUTION
DS Energy delivered a multi‑technology, future‑ready energy system, integrating rooftop solar, solar shade structures, battery storage, and EV charging stations.
Solar carpark shade
371.11 kWp
Battery storage
300 kWh
EV charging
4 chargers
Equipment
Astronergy modules; Sungrow inverters; STB Centurion BESS
Solar carpark structures were engineered using S‑Rack racking systems, creating dual‑purpose shading and energy‑generating assets. Delivered by DS Energy’s swift installation team, the entire project was completed while keeping the hotel fully operational.
03 / THE RESULTS
The system is expected to generate 757 MWh of clean energy each year, significantly reducing the hotel’s reliance on grid electricity.
Expected annual production
Battery storage
EV chargers
Lower energy exposure
Solar is expected to reduce annual energy costs.
Improved load management
Storage supports use of on-site generation.
Service continuity
The hotel stayed open throughout delivery.
KEEP EXPLORING
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