World-first solar fuel station

Supplying 24-hour access to diesel in remote parts of Western Australia’s Pilbara region has become much more feasible with the construction of what is believed to be the world’s first solar-powered retail fuel outlet.

Caltex Australia’s sites at Tom Price and Onslow (pictured), both more than 1300km from Perth, are not connected to mains power, instead relying on the abundant solar energy of the region and on-site battery storage technology.

The Australian company is pioneering the environmentally-friendly initiative to further extend the reach of its National Truck Network – the largest truck refuelling network in Australia, comprising 200 dedicated truck stops and 300 truck-friendly sites across the country.

Caltex Network Development Manager for Western Australia Leon Calvetti said diesel customers driving between remote locations across the state were benefiting from the availability of the fuel whenever they needed it.

"The biggest challenge of supplying fuel in remote parts of Australia isn’t getting fuel there – after all, we have fuel storage at the site and a great logistics team able to make regular deliveries," Mr Calvetti said.

"The obstacle is powering the pumps so the fuel can get into the customer’s tank – it’s very expensive and inefficient to run a generator when there are only a handful of customers every day.

"It’s also difficult to locate staff in the middle of the Pilbara many hours' drive from the nearest major town.

"By creating what we believe are the world’s first fully solar-powered fuel facilities, we can efficiently provide diesel in some of the most remote locations of Australia.

"The other benefit of these sites will come when, at some stage in the future, there is no longer the same demand in that area – if that happens we can simply relocate the entire facility to a new part of the country, as everything on the site is easily transportable by truck.

"The whole design is tailored to Australian conditions, given the abundant sun and the long distances between service stations."

Mr Calvetti said that, unlike many fuel outlets in rural Australia, the innovative Caltex sites could offer diesel 24 hours a day via a card payment system.
"Customers can access it at any time," he explained.

"But in such remote locations, with only a limited number of customers driving past, don’t expect all the typical services available at other Caltex sites.

"While these no-frills facilities won’t provide a pie, a can of soft drink or ice creams, they will help keep drivers of heavy transport and four-wheel-drive vehicles supplied with the diesel they need to get to the next town for a well-earned rest."