Running a modern dairy farm means electricity is one of the biggest operating costs. When Bowman Road Dairy Farm in Gloucester was facing quarterly power bills of between $10,000 and $13,000, the owners turned to Level Electrical & Air Gloucester to develop a solution that would reduce energy costs without interrupting daily operations.

Following a detailed review of the farm's electricity usage and Time-of-Use tariff structure, the team designed and installed a 100kWp commercial solar system with a 216kWh battery energy storage system (BESS). The solution was designed to reduce reliance on expensive peak-period electricity while providing backup power during outages, helping improve both profitability and operational resilience.

Working around a live dairy operation 

Unlike many commercial projects, work couldn't simply be completed during normal business hours.

Milking operations had to continue uninterrupted, with strict restrictions on when trades could access the site to avoid disrupting the dairy herd. The team carefully planned each day around the farm's operating schedule, starting work at 6:30am and finishing before 2:00pm across a three-week installation period.

This approach allowed the project to be completed safely while ensuring the dairy continued operating without downtime.

Scope of work

The project included:

  • Installation of a 100kWp commercial solar system
  • Installation of a 216kWh Sigenergy battery energy storage system (BESS)
  • 210 x 475W Jinko all-black solar panels
  • Sigenergy inverter with integrated gateway
  • System design based on detailed energy consumption and tariff analysis
Early results 

The project is already delivering measurable benefits.

Despite being commissioned during winter, with shorter daylight hours and consistently poor weather, the system has already reduced the farm's reliance on grid electricity by an average of 33%, with significantly greater savings expected as solar generation improves through summer.

The battery system has not yet exceeded 52% capacity, highlighting further opportunity to increase energy independence as seasonal conditions improve.

The overall system was designed to reduce electricity operating costs by approximately 60-70% while improving energy security and protecting the dairy from costly interruptions caused by power outages.

Client feedback
"The team understood how important it was to keep our dairy operating throughout the installation. They worked around our milking schedule, communicated well throughout the project and the early results have been really encouraging. We'd happily recommend Level Electrical & Air Gloucester to anyone looking for a commercial energy solution."

– Trevor Middlebrook, Bowman Road Dairy Farm

Project team and partners 

Project Lead: David Ison

Installer: Lachlan Carew 

Suppliers:

  • Lawrence & Hanson Inverell
  • Todd Hughes
  • David Cooper (NSW State Manager, L&H Solar Plus)
  • Jason Crosara (L&H Corporate Account Manager)
  • Chris Seviloglou (L&H C&I Technical Sales Engineer)

Timeline: June 2026 (3 weeks) 

Planning a commercial solar and battery project for your business? 

Contact Level Electrical & Air Gloucester to discuss a tailored energy solution that can reduce operating costs while improving energy resilience.