World-first 100% solar- powered bus serving Adelaide city from 2008, recharged with Solar City PV panels system

The Tindo solar-powered electirc bus had its batteries recharged from a solar panels array on the roof of the Central Bus Station in Adelaide city.

Tindo, the world’s first 100% solar powered electric bus, was put into servce in 2008 by Adelaide City Council for its free connector bus service between the city centre and North Adelaide.

The Tindo (a Kaurna Aboriginal word for the Sun) had 11 Zebra battery modules, using sodium/nickel chloride technology, that gave it a range of 200 kilometres between recharges under typical urban traffic.  Built by New Zealand company Designline International, Tindo could carry up to 40 passengers with airconditioning and wifi.

By using the solar-powered bus, Adelaide City Council saved more than 14,000 litres of diesel and avoided more than 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in its first year of use. Its regenerative braking system also saved an additional 30% of energy consumption.

The Tindo solar electric bus was recharged by a solar panel system installed on the roof the Adelaide Central Bus Station between Franklin and Grote streets, Adelaide city, generating almost 70,000 kilowatt hours annually.

Much of the $550,000 funding for the bus station’s solar photo voltaic panels system was provided by the Australian government Solar City programme, with Adelaide city council also committing significant funding. Solar Cities was a $97 million demonstration programme designed to promote solar power, smart meters and conserving energy. Adelaide, Alice Springs, Blacktown, Central Victoria and Townsville were nominated to be the first Solar Cities of Australia.

Along with Adelaide city centre, the suburban cities of Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully and Playford also were part of Adelaide Solar City. Energy options trialled through the Adelaide Solar City included

* 1,700 solar photovoltaic panels (2MW) installed on homes and commercial buildings,

* help for consumers to finance their solar systems,

* solar panels on up to five iconic buildings such as the Adelaide Central Market, the Central Bus Depot, Salisbury Watershed, Playford Aquadome and SA Water building, and

* 7,000 smart meters installed in homes and businesses to help people monitor their energy use.