Tesla opens new Supercharger station with biggest solar canopy to date

Tesla has opened its latest Supercharger station in Australia, featuring what will be the second, and its biggest solar canopy in the country.

The 12-bay Supercharger station at New Italy will boost the number of charging stations along the key route from Sydney to Brisbane, and adds to the stations at Heatherbrae, Raymond Terrace, Port Macquarie (two), Coffs harbour (2),  Harwood, Knckrow and Tweed Heads, with several more in southern Queensland.

The New Italy installation has already grabbed attention because it is one of the very few EV fast chargers in Australia equipped with a solar canopy. In fact, it is only second for Tesla, and the largest at 80 kW. The Raymond Terrace installation features a 70 kW array.

Both of the charging stations are co-funded by the NSW government and are open to non-Tesla EVs as part of that deal.

It is understood that Tesla is considering solar canopies at another two sites in Queensland – at Tully and Cairns – and others are also being considered, although it does add to the complexity of securing planning approvals and permits.

One solar canopy had been planned for Coolac, along with a Tesla Megapack battery, but issues around a nearby heritage facade, and an updated study that suggested the grid connection capacity was fine, meant it is being delivered without those additions.

The New Italy installation also features a single charging bay suitable for EVs towing trailers, boats and caravans (someone please tell Scott Morrison).

Tesla has opened a number of new sites in recent weeks, including in outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne at Pakenham, at Cooma in NSW, and an expanded facility in Abbotsford in inner Melbourne.

The latest and Australia’s biggest fast charging site, with a 20-stall supercharger site, is currently in the works at Goulburn, NSW.

See also: How green is your EV fast charger?