Founded in June 2023, the Willow Wood Glamping Retreat is located in Ambergate, just south of Busselton in Western Australia. Set across a 100-acre working farm, the retreat offers a dedicated 10-tent glamping experience designed to operate completely off-grid.
Owned by Kevin and Amber, Willow Wood was developed with a clear focus on environmental responsibility. Since purchasing the property, they have actively worked to restore natural bushland and create a habitat for native birdlife. Sustainability is embedded throughout the retreat, right down to the biodegradable plant-based slippers provided to guests, made from flax, linen, and cork.
The luxury tents, created by local interior design studio Ocean and Earth, combine high-end comfort with a low environmental footprint. Supporting this level of accommodation off-grid requires a reliable, well-engineered energy solution and that’s where PowerPlus Energy came in.
Designing a Reliable Off-Grid Power Solution
PowerPlus Energy partnered with Positive Off-Grid Solutions to design and deliver a fully independent mini-grid capable of supplying consistent power across the entire retreat. The brief was clear: create a system that aligns with Willow Wood’s sustainability goals while delivering the reliability expected of a premium hospitality experience.
The result is a compact, scalable off-grid system designed to harness Western Australia’s abundant solar resource while ensuring uninterrupted power for guests and staff alike.
System Overview
Australian-Made Battery Storage
The system incorporates 96kWh of PowerPlus Energy Eco4840P lithium batteries, housed across two PIR12 cabinets. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia, these batteries form the backbone of the site’s energy storage, providing reliable, efficient power around the clock.
Solar and Inverter Infrastructure
A 90kW rack of Victron Energy 15kVA Quattro inverters, configured for three-phase operation, works in conjunction with three 450/200 MPPT string inverters. Together, they manage a 40kWp solar array, converting clean solar energy into stable power distributed across the site.
Backup Generation
For additional resilience, a Blue Diamond Machinery generator set was integrated into the system, ensuring uninterrupted power supply during unforeseen circumstances.
Thermal Management
The power system is housed within a 20-foot container fitted with a 4kW DC split air-conditioning system. This maintains optimal operating temperatures for critical equipment while maintaining energy efficiency.
The luxury tents, created by local interior design studio Ocean and Earth, combine high-end comfort with a low environmental footprint. Supporting this level of accommodation off-grid requires a reliable, well-engineered energy solution and that’s where PowerPlus Energy came in.
Built to Grow
The mini-grid was designed with future expansion in mind. With additional capacity available within the battery cabinets, the system can be easily scaled to support increased demand as Willow Wood continues to grow.
Willow Wood Glamping Retreat demonstrates how thoughtfully engineered off-grid power can support high-end accommodation without compromising sustainability. Through collaboration with Positive Off-Grid Solutions, PowerPlus Energy delivered a reliable, future-ready energy system that enables Busselton’s first dedicated glamping retreat to operate confidently off-grid.
