TCL to supply modules for ‘world’s largest’ back-contact solar power station

TCL Solar, a unit of Chinese industrial conglomerate TCL Technology, has been selected to supply the PV modules for the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap solar and battery projects being developed in Central Queensland by Edify Energy.

The adjacent renewable energy facilities, being built across an 1,800-hectare site near the town of Biloela, will together comprise 600 MW (720 MWp) of solar generation and 600 MW / 2,400 MWh of DC-coupled battery energy storage systems.

Sydney-headquartered Edify, owned by Canadian investment group La Caisse, earlier this year awarded the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for the projects to DT Infrastructure and that company has now tapped TCL to supply the modules for the solar farms.

“At 720 MWp, the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap solar power stations will together, become the largest solar project in the world to utilise back-contact (BC) solar technology,” TCL said in a statement.

Frank Zhang, president of international business at TCL and director of SunPower Australia, said the project is a defining moment for BC technology and reinforces the growing confidence in the product for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.

“This represents a pivotal moment not only for TCL Solar, but for the future of back-contact technology in utility-scale applications,” he said. “It demonstrates that BC technology has evolved beyond premium residential markets and is now ready to deliver unparalleled value at the largest scales of solar deployment.”

TCL said the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap solar farms will utilise BC modules featuring efficiencies of up to 24.2%. The modules are backed by a 30-year performance warranty and a 15-year product warranty.

The supply agreement comes after TCL’s manufacturing arm TCL Zhonghuan last month approved a $550 million (CNY 2.6 billion) upgrade project to convert 20 GW of TOPCon cell and 25 GW of TOPCon module capacity at its Chinese facilities into BC production lines. 

Construction proper of the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap projects yet to start but Edify said early pre-construction and design works have already commenced.

TCL said module installation is expected to begin early next year with the Edify targeting delivery and operations in 2028.

Once operational, it is expected the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap facilities will generate up to 1,589,000 MWh of renewable energy annually, supplying reliable power to the regional network and supporting a long-term energy supply agreement with mining giant Rio Tinto.

Edify said both projects will utilise DC-coupled hybrid configurations and utilise grid-forming inverter technologies designed to enhance network stability and support the integration of large-scale renewable energy into the grid.