A remote mining operation in Western Australia faced a familiar challenge: powering an off-grid water pump with a diesel generator meant high fuel bills, constant servicing, and poor system longevity. The solution? Commodore’s Rhino Bolt Solar Skid – a rugged, Australian-made hybrid solar system designed specifically for remote, high-demand applications.
By switching to the Rhino Bolt, the mining company has reduced generator runtime by over 95%, cutting operational costs dramatically and setting themselves up for long-term energy resilience.
The Challenge: High Costs of Diesel Dependency
Running a 30kVA diesel generator around the clock in a remote mining location isn’t just costly – it’s also logistically demanding and environmentally taxing. In isolated regions, fuel must be delivered over long distances, driving up costs significantly. Add the regular servicing, maintenance, and replacement parts, and the financial burden quickly becomes substantial.
Traditional generator setups also suffer from major inefficiencies. Generators often run underloaded for much of the day, which wastes fuel and accelerates wear and tear. This reduces the lifespan of the equipment and increases the risk of breakdowns. In remote areas, where technical support may be days away, that risk can cause serious disruption.
In this case, the generator powered a remote water pump that was vital to daily operations. But with rising diesel prices and the growing logistical challenges of operating in Western Australia, the mining company knew it needed a better solution. They required a system that could reliably meet their power demands with minimal intervention. It also had to reduce diesel usage and withstand the harsh, off-grid conditions — all while lowering operational costs long term.
The Solution: Commodore Rhino Bolt Solar Skid
To solve the challenges of powering off-grid infrastructure in remote Western Australia, Commodore delivered its flagship solution: the Rhino Bolt Solar Skid. This system is purpose-built for durability, efficiency, and ease of deployment. It’s engineered to perform in some of Australia’s harshest environments, including cyclone-prone regions. Thanks to its Wind Region D rating, the Rhino Bolt is a serious power system designed to withstand extreme weather where structural resilience is essential.
Every unit is manufactured in Shepparton, Victoria, using premium components and heavy-duty construction. The frame is made from hot-dip galvanised steel, sourced from the legendary Furphy Steel Foundry. This foundry has stood for quality in Australian manufacturing for over 150 years.
But the Rhino Bolt is more than just a solar array. It’s a complete, intelligent power hub that brings together the latest in off-grid technology and remote monitoring. Its modular design allows for flexibility across different site sizes and load profiles. Meanwhile, its smart controls ensure consistent performance with minimal onsite intervention.
Key Features:
Victron Inverter-Chargers – The backbone of the system. Known worldwide for their robustness and performance, Victron components have been a staple in off-grid applications for over 50 years.
Pylontech Batteries – Reliable and safe lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries offering high cycle life, remote monitoring, and outstanding thermal stability.
Cerbo GX Control Unit – The central command unit that links all components for seamless coordination and live system oversight, including solar, battery, generator, and optional sensors.
Temperature-Controlled DC Air Conditioning – Ensures critical components operate within optimal temperature ranges, preventing thermal degradation and maximising system longevity.
Hydraulic Solar Tracking & Wind Sensors – Panels can be packed up or deployed at the push of a button, with automated retraction during high-wind events thanks to integrated wind sensors. This reduces the risk of damage in extreme weather.
Expandable Solar Capacity – Designed with scalability in mind. For this project, the system was deployed using two 6.6kW skids, providing additional solar generation without the need for a generator on-site.
Real Results: A 95% Reduction in Generator Runtime
Where a 30kVA diesel generator used to run 24 hours per day, it now only runs under 1 hour daily on average – and always at optimal load. That’s a massive shift in efficiency and longevity.
Generator Operation:
Before: 24 hours/day
After: 2-4 hours/day (initially), trending to <1 hour/day
Run Load: Optimised to ~75% load – ideal for longevity and diesel efficiency
Environmental and Financial Impact
Carbon Emissions:
Before (Generator): 28 tonnes CO₂/year
After (Solar Skid): 6 tonnes CO₂/year (backup generator only)
The solar system overtakes the diesel generator in cost efficiency almost immediately – delivering significant savings year after year.
Built for Harsh Environments
Wind-rated to Region D, this solar skid system is designed to perform where many others fail. The remote WA site demanded a solution that could stand up to intense sun, dust, wind, and isolation – and Commodore delivered.
The Rhino Bolt isn’t just a solar system. It’s a complete, monitored, temperature-managed hybrid energy solution designed to last 15+ years.
A Smarter Way to Power Remote Mining
For this WA mining customer, the decision to switch from full-time generator to a Commodore Solar Skid has paid off – fast. The investment delivered financial returns in the first year, while also cutting emissions, servicing needs, and risk of failure in remote conditions.
Thinking of making the switch?
If your site is still running diesel full-time, we can create a tailored return-on-investment report – just like we did for this project – so you can see exactly how much you could save.
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