Utility Scale PV

Remote power specialist Zenith Energy has signed on to deliver a hybrid renewable energy system – including 138 MW of solar and a 300 MWh battery – to help power Northern Star Resources’ gold mining operations near Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia.

Australian researchers developed a high-resolution energy modeling framework to assess how PV and batteries can supply 24/7 electricity to heavy industries, considering cost, grid interaction, and load flexibility. They found that while technology cost reductions help, smart grid integration and flexible industrial operations are far more effective in lowering electricity costs and enabling 100% renewable energy use.

Offered primarily as a 10 MW unit, the new product is also available in a 5.5 MW version for customers with specific requirements.

Mining giant Fortescue’s decarbonisation plans have reached a new milestone with the delivery of a 50 MW / 250 MWh battery energy storage system at its North Star Junction site in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.

The Australian Energy Market Operator says “timely investments” are essential to unlock the full value of renewables and reduce reliance on coal generators for system security as the nation’s clean energy transition continues.

The Chinese manufacturer said the higher-voltage design of the new module reduces cable, combiner, pile-foundation, and land-use requirements, delivering balance-of-system savings of up to CNY 0.15 ($0.032)/W in western China. The module offers a power output of 730 W to 770 W and a conversion efficiency of up to 24.8%.

pv magazine spoke with Australian solar panel manufacturer Tindo Chief Executive Officer Richard Petterson about the company’s future expansion on the back of Solar Sunshot funding, and how it plans to tackle current market and manufacturing challenges to stay on course for future growth.

A redesigned hybrid solar and battery project now featuring 200 MW of PV generation and a beefed up 2.2 GWh of energy storage capacity planned for far northern New South Wales has joined the queue for federal environmental approval.

Potentia Energy has reached another renewables milestone with its 1 GW Tallawang solar and battery energy storage project proposed for construction in western New South Wales awarded unconditional federal environmental approval.

New Zealand power company Genesis Energy has pressed go on its 114 MW Edgecumbe Solar Farm project on the nation’s North Island with the facility expected to start generating power in 2027.