Harnessing the sun: How solar power is driving sustainability at the Perth Technology Centre

About the Perth Technology Centre

Metso's Perth Technology Centre (PTC) is a key hub for supporting mining operations across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. Specializing in thickener and filter testwork, we help customers optimize existing equipment and accurately size new installations. With capabilities for both bench-scale and pilot-scale testing, we deliver detailed reports that outline the technical and economic benefits of our recommended solutions.

In addition to in-house testing, we offer on-site services and collaborate with commercial laboratories to integrate seamlessly into your project needs. Backed by Metso’s global expertise in thickening, clarifying, and filtration solutions, our centre is committed to delivering data-driven support for improved plant performance and operational efficiency.

A forward-thinking move to solar

“From the outset, when we were planning our move to a new facility in Bayswater, solar panels were already on the agenda,” Ken explains. As part of the testwork team, his responsibilities span dewatering and Concorde testing both at PTC and customer sites. The facility is also home to field services and global training teams - making it a lively hub for innovation.

That innovative spirit was key to the solar project. “We wanted to ensure the solution matched our actual needs, so we monitored our energy use for 12 months before deciding on the size of the system,” Ken says. This deliberate approach means their system is perfectly tailored to the site’s electricity consumption.

A system sized for impact

The installation, completed in December 2024, includes an impressive 110 solar panels with a total capacity of 52.25 kilowatts, complemented by a 5.12 kilowatt-hour battery for energy storage. “It’s all about making sure we’re as efficient as we can be,” Ken notes.

Measuring sustainability

Quantifying environmental outcomes turns ambition into impact. The numbers speak for themselves: “Our 52.25 kW solar array is estimated to generate roughly 75,000–95,000 kWh per year, that’s enough electricity to power about 12–19 Australian homes for a year.” These are milestones that everyone at the centre can celebrate.

Part of a bigger picture

Ken is clear about the broader significance: “Every small change at Metso facilities adds up. Installations like ours collectively reduce Metso’s environmental footprint globally.” He encourages other sites to follow suit, emphasizing the considerable difference that can be made when every location contributes.

The Perth advantage: sunshine as a resource

Perth’s famously sunny climate makes it an ideal place to harness solar power. “We’re really well-positioned to benefit from solar here,” Ken notes - and the data backs him up:

• 3,200+ hours of sunshine annually
• 8 hours of sunlight per day on average
• 149 mostly clear days each year
• 3 kWh/m²/day of solar irradiance - among the highest in Australia
  
  (Source: Bureau of Meteorology)

A personal and shared commitment

For Ken, sustainability isn’t just a corporate initiative - it’s personal. “I have solar panels on my home, and I’m pleased we’ve now been able to install them at PTC as well. It’s rewarding to know both on a personal and professional level that we’re making a positive difference for the environment we all share.”

At Metso, we are showing that sustainability is built one site, one project, and one passionate advocate at a time. With every panel installed and every kilogram of coal left unburned, we take a step closer to a more responsible future.