Solar Power

An Island Powered by the Sun

On Lady Elliot Island, caring for the environment has always been at the heart of everything we do. Prior to 2005 and our current Custodianship, the island relied on diesel generators to run the resort, but their noise and emissions didn’t sit in harmony with this natural environment. Shifting to solar was a chance to do better, for the reef, for the wildlife, and for future generations. Today, solar power provides us with a clean and quiet energy source, helping us tread more gently and stay true to our role as custodians of the Great Barrier Reef.

Shining a Light on Sustainability

Why Solar Power?

On Lady Elliot Island, solar power was chosen over other renewable options because it offers the most reliable and sustainable solution for a remote island environment. With year-round sunshine, it’s a natural way to harness clean energy while reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Unlike wind or tidal systems, solar has minimal moving parts, requires less maintenance in harsh marine conditions, and can be scaled to meet the island’s energy needs without disturbing fragile ecosystems.

Our goal is to be powered by 100% renewable energy

Today the Resort is a mini solar city with over >1,000 solar panels (254kW) & 256 batteries (32,000 amp hours) – capacity to run for days on nothing but sunlight!

We aim to run our Resort on 100% renewable energy. This is dependent on the weather and because we experience largely excellent weather we often run on pure sunshine.

This significant achievement has been made possible with support from the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority; the Queensland Government’s ‘Great Barrier Reef Island Resorts Rejuvenation Fund’ and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation ‘Reef Islands Initiative’

2008 first of its kind Solar Hybrid Power Station installed

80% of diesel usage cut from 550L a day down to <150L per day

$300,000 saved per year in diesel usage reinvested back into sustainability initiatives

Solar Panels soaking up the sun

Batteries for storage capacity

Approximate number of homes powered by our 1200kw grid

Kilograms of Co2 saved every day by cutting approximately 80% of diesel use

Solar Grid at a Glance

Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Solar Grid Overview

Total Number of Panels

801

Total System Watts

210,070

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC290TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 7.16
Panel Watts: 290
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 9860

Installation Date: 2008
Panel Model: KD205GX-LP
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 25.26
Panel Watts: 205
Number of Panels: 32
System Watts: 6560

Installation Date: 2008
Panel Model: KD205GX-LP
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 22.67
Panel Watts: 205
Number of Panels: 32
System Watts: 6560

Installation Date: 2012
Panel Model: REC245PE(BLK)
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 29.11
Panel Watts: 245
Number of Panels: 32
System Watts: 7840

Installation Date: 2013
Panel Model: REC250PE
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 51.70
Panel Watts: 250
Number of Panels: 60
System Watts: 15000

Installation Date: 2014
Panel Model: REC260PE
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 53.62
Panel Watts: 260
Number of Panels: 60
System Watts: 15600

Installation Date: 2014
Panel Model: REC269PE
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 56.74
Panel Watts: 260
Number of Panels: 65
System Watts: 16900

Installation Date: 2016
Panel Model: REC260PE
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 41.83
Panel Watts: 260
Number of Panels: 60
System Watts: 15600

Installation Date: 2016
Panel Model: Q.PRO-G2 235
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 56.48
Panel Watts: 235
Number of Panels: 56
System Watts: 13160

Installation Date: 2017
Panel Model: Q.PRO-G2 235
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 34.61
Panel Watts: 235
Number of Panels: 42
System Watts: 9870

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC290TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 27.26
Panel Watts: 290
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 9860

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC290TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 7.16
Panel Watts: 290
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 9860

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC290TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 7.35
Panel Watts: 290
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 9860

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC295TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 32.57
Panel Watts: 295
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 10030

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC295TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 30.27
Panel Watts: 295
Number of Panels: 34
System Watts: 10030

Installation Date: 2019
Panel Model: REC295TP2BLK
Generated Yesterday (kwH): 71.34
Panel Watts: 295
Number of Panels: 88
System Watts: 25960

What’s next?

Lady Elliot Island’s solar journey continues with plans to expand energy storage, boost efficiency, and explore new ways to harness the sun to power the island. Each step moves closer to maintaining our goal of being powered by 100% renewable energy, reducing diesel use and protecting the reef. It’s about living lightly, innovating, and letting the sun guide the way.