Off Grid Power at Cordillo Downs Station in South Australia.
- MyEnergy Engineering
- Sep 12
- 3 min read
Cordillo Downs Station lies in South Australia’s far north, one of the last properties before the Queensland border. Once the largest sheep station in Australia, it
remains one of the country’s most iconic pastoral properties, recognised today for its heritage-listed woolshed. Built in 1883 from local sandstone, the woolshed could accommodate 120 blade shearers beneath its vast, vaulted tin roof and still stands as a striking example of outback ingenuity.
Growing Power Demands
For many years Cordillo Downs Station relied on diesel power and an ageing solar system. The setup was fuel-hungry, costly and increasingly unreliable. The property also lacked appropriate roof space for new solar installation, adding another challenge to meeting the station’s energy needs. In such a remote location, these limitations created a pressing need for dependable, long-term off grid power.
A Containerised Off Grid Power Solution
After a detailed site visit, the off grid power system was designed back at MyEnergy HQ, with every element of the installation carefully mapped out. At the core of the project is a 20ft shipping container, fully customised and fitted out before leaving headquarters. Inside, the system was equipped with Victron MultiPlus-II inverters, SMA Sunny Tripower inverters, Victron SmartSolar controllers and ZYC SIMPO batteries, all tested and certified prior to transport.
Unlike other properties that use shed roofs for solar installation, Cordillo Downs had no suitable roof space in the location required. The solution was to construct a large ground-mounted solar array using the Clenergy ground mounting system. A total of 128 JA Solar panels were installed across open land on the station.
The containerised hub was fully insulated, weather-sealed, vermin-proof and climate controlled with ventilation and air conditioning to ensure reliable performance in tough outback conditions. Once delivered to site, it was positioned on a steel framed base, close to the existing generator shed, then connected via underground cabling to the ground-mounted solar array and existing generators, creating a fully integrated off-grid power system. In a location that faces heat, dust, storms, and long stretches of isolation, containerised power is ideal, simple to transport, fast to install, protected from the elements and designed with space for future upgrades. It provides Cordillo Downs with dependable power today and the flexibility to grow as demands increase.
System Overview
Solar: 99.44 kW JA Solar Panels
Battery: 204.8kWh ZYC SIMPO Battery Storage
Key Components
Keeping Cordillo Powered for Tomorrow
Cordillo Downs has transitioned from an ageing, diesel-reliant setup to a modern off-grid power system that is reliable, scalable and built to last. Featuring a large ground-mounted solar array, substantial battery storage, advanced monitoring and generator backup, the station now enjoys a consistent power supply in one of the the most remote areas of Australia.
MyEnergy are the experts in delivering off grid power systems built to handle the harsh outback landscape. Customised solutions like this containerised system, engineered, fitted out and tested offsite before being transported hundreds of kilometres into remote South Australia, show the value of experience and precision. With MyEnergy, remote stations can count on tailored off grid power that works today and is ready to grow tomorrow.
