In a bold step towards a greener future, Capral Aluminium has partnered with Australian clean-tech innovator Green Energy Systems (GES) to power the next generation of solar solutions. Under this agreement, Capral will provide its LocAl™ lower-carbon aluminium extrusions for use in the system's production. Headquartered in Sydney, Green Energy Systems is dedicated to advancing utility-scale solar with its patented deployment technology.
GES dedicated two years of their time and hard work to present the much-awaited Solar Waves solar deployment system, setting a new benchmark in clean energy innovation. The Solar Waves solution will debut in a pilot installation over water canals in California.
This initiative—led by collaboration between the Turlock Irrigation District, Solar AquaGrid, the University of California Merced, and the California Department of Water Resources—represents the final phase in evaluating scalable solar technologies that could one day span thousands of miles of the state's canal systems.
"The Solar Waves system is designed to be fast to deploy, easy to relocate, and acts more like a fully functioning appliance. At the end of life, it can be 100 per cent recycled. It's a smarter way to approach utility-scale solar deployment," said Glenn Carless, Founder and Managing Director of Green Energy Systems.
Flagship innovation Solar Waves
Its flagship innovation, Solar Waves, is a modular, prewired solar system engineered for fast and efficient installation across diverse environments—from open land and waterways to agricultural landscapes. Unlike conventional solar arrays, Solar Waves is delivered in prewired units known as "Mega Waves," eliminating the need for traditional fasteners like nuts, bolts, screws, or clamps.
Featuring a patented slide-together aluminium frame, the system allows for fully robotic, in-factory assembly. This streamlined design reduces on-site installation to a simple "plug & play" process while ensuring outstanding corrosion resistance and long-term durability over its estimated 30-year lifespan.
"Our primary focus was to use aluminium as the core material in our system because of its high strength-to-weight ratio and its capacity to be extruded into components with fine engineering tolerances at no additional cost. Sustainability is central to our approach, and aluminium is the ultimate circular material—infinitely recyclable. When we approached Capral to produce the 20 custom extrusions for our unique components, they really got behind our vision. They played a key role in extruding the components that make up our system. It wasn't just about supplying material—they've been critical in helping fine-tune each component and their connectivity," added Carless.
Capral's LocAl™
A cornerstone of the project is the integration of Capral's LocAl™ Green lower-carbon aluminium. With a certified carbon footprint of 8kg CO₂e/kg or less—significantly below the global average—LocAl™ Green reinforces GES's mission to minimise embodied carbon and drive sustainable innovation. Locally produced and fully recyclable, this aluminium perfectly aligns with the Solar Waves system's closed-loop, low-impact design ethos.
Additionally, Capral's ASI Certification offers further assurance that the aluminium used in GES's Solar Waves system is responsibly sourced, adhering to rigorous environmental and social performance standards throughout the supply chain. This certification was a critical factor for Green Energy Systems, whose sustainability vision encompasses innovative product design and ethical and responsible sourcing practices.
Green Energy Systems aims to expand its manufacturing capabilities through advanced automated production facilities in Australia and the United States to meet growing global demand, enabling rapid deployment of its solar systems for large-scale projects worldwide. The partnership between Capral and GES stands as a powerful example of Australian innovation in action—demonstrating how local manufacturing expertise can support global sustainability ambitions.
Image Source: Capral Press Release
Responses
