Stellulata Cohousing - Sustainable Energy Solutions
Illuminating Community Living with Sustainable Energy Solutions.
In 2018, Stellulata Cohousing took root in North Canberra, born from the collective vision of three retired friends wishing to downsize to more manageable homes without leaving the support of their local community. Today, Stellulata includes another three younger people and stands not just as a cohousing project, but as a shining example of sustainable living. In this blog post, we delve into the innovative Solar, Battery and EV Charger installation planned for Stellulata.
4 minutes of interviews with the Stellulata Team discussing the design of their small cohousing community
The Cohousing Vision: Comprising of three 2-bedroom units and 1 shared communal building, Stellulata may be small in size, but it embraces the principles of cohousing wholeheartedly. The 3 couples actively participated in the design process to create a layout that fosters community and social interactions. Common facilities and shared garden space, non hierarchical decision-making, and collaborative projects define the essence of Stellulata.
Selected as a Demonstration Housing Project by the ACT Government, Stellulata aims to test the viability of this model for broader adoption in Canberra.
Sustainable Design: Stellulata is not just a cohousing project; it’s also a showcase of sustainable living. The buildings will feature solar panels with battery storage, high-efficiency electric appliances, rainwater harvesting, and shared EV Charging. Energy efficiency is achieved through passive solar design principles including insulation, thermal mass, double-glazing, and natural cross-ventilation. The inclusion of a vegetation corridor and green transition zones enhances biodiversity and native bird habitat. Stellulata is not just a place to live; it’s a blueprint for harmonious coexistence with the environment.
Solar, Battery & EV Charger Integration
After careful consideration and consultation, Solargain was chosen to bring the vision of sustainable energy to fruition at Stellulata. With the help of our friends at Fronius, a custom future-proof solution was designed.
4 x Fronius GEN24+ Hybrid Inverters: With just one electricity meter and shared electricity bill, the 4 x Fronius hybrid inverters work as one to deliver solar & battery power to all three living units and communal building, wherever it’s needed. However, during a grid outage, the 4 x inverters will isolate from each other so that each resident has their fair share of solar & battery power during a black-out.
4 x BYD Batteries: With 33.3 kWh of total energy storage, the Stellulata residents will maximize their savings by storing excess solar energy during the day to use later in the evening. The modular design allows future expansion, while the LiFePO4 battery cells, known as the safest lithium chemistry, provide peace of mind.
27.7kW AKCOME Kookaburra 440W N Type. This top-shelf model from AKCOME comes with an impressive 30-year Product Warranty (5-years longer than industry standard) and incorporates the latest in solar panel technology.
Clenergy ‘Hollywood’ All-Black Mounting: It’s the little things that make a quality installation. With AKCOME Kookaburra 440W N Type solar panels, it would be a crime to not install these with Clenergy All-Black Mounting; black rails, black rail end-caps, and black panel clamps. The final look is sharp.
Fronius Wattpilot EV Charger: To promote sustainable transportation, a Fronius Wattpilot EV Charger will be installed, allowing residents to conveniently charge their electric vehicles. By communicating with the Fronius inverters, and dynamically adjusting charge rate, the Fronius Wattpilot allows ‘Solar-Only’ charging to avoid buying grid power.
- 4 x Fronius Smart Meters: One 3-phase Fronius Smart Meter installed in the Main Switchboard allows the Stellulata community to see the total energy consumption and solar production of the entire property. Meanwhile, another 3 x single-phase Fronius Smart Meters installed in the sub-boards allow residents to monitor the energy consumption of their own individual units.
Conclusion: The installation of solar, batteries and EV charging by Solargain will not only make Stellulata self-sufficient, but has also set a standard for eco-friendly living in Canberra. The commitment to sustainable design principles and cohousing values creates a unique synergy, where residents actively shape their living spaces, share resources, and embrace a collective responsibility for the environment.
Solargain is proud to be part of this journey, contributing to the realisation of a community where solar power illuminates more than just homes – it lights up a vision for a greener and more sustainable future. Find out more about the project on Stellulata's website.
If you’d like a custom solar solution for your own home or business, contact Solargain today. Rest assured our approach is honest, informative, no-pressure.
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