Wannon Water – Brierly Basin

Setting the standard for floating solar in Australia

Wannon Water is Victoria’s second-largest regional urban water corporation by service area. Enervest was contracted by Wannon Water to deliver a 500kW floating solar array at the Brierly Basin in Warrnambool. Energy is a significant operational cost for water utilities, and this system is designed to reduce the energy required for pumping to the treatment plant, improving efficiency, lowering costs, and supporting long-term operational performance.

The array is now Australia’s largest floating solar installation, comprising approximately 1,260 bifacial solar modules mounted on a purpose-built platform across the basin. Expected to generate more than 600,000kWh annually.

By leveraging bifacial solar technology, the system is optimised for the floating environment, capturing both direct sunlight and reflected light from the water surface to enhance generation performance.

“While Enervest has grown into a broader energy developer, our origins in commercial and industrial solar PV have shaped how we approach development, grounded in experience, working closely with communities, and focused on delivering long-term value. We’re proud to have worked with Wannon Water to bring this project to completion and look forward to seeing the long-term benefits it delivers.”
– Ross Warby, Enervest Founder & CEO

Project details

Customer: Wannon Water

Project: Wannon Water. Brierly Basin. Floating Solar Array.

Completion Date: May 2026

System Size: 500kW

Solar Modules: 1260 x 400W Yingli Modules

Annual Energy Yield: 600MWh

Inverter: 14 Fronius Eco Inverters

Location: Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia

CO2 Savings (p.a.): ~544,000 kg