Utility Scale PV

Tesla specialists are on the ground assisting Samoa’s electric power corporation engineers to ensure its battery energy storage systems are operating to support Samoa’s energy needs during the current power crisis.

United States solar tracker and racking specialists GameChange Solar have successfully completed a structural and electrical design compliance review for two of its tracking systems, for use in the Australian market.

Canadian Solar’s anti-hail technology is to be installed at a new South Australian solar battery energy storage project by Flow Power in the Coonawarra wine region, 370 kilometres southeast of Adelaide.

Spanish developer Acciona has closed a $453 million syndicated green loan for the construction and operation of its 480 MWp Aldoga Solar Farm on the Queensland central coast.

PV Hardware (PVH) has released PVH Terra, a foundation system designed to improve solar plant installation on challenging terrain. The system aims to improve stability in expansive soils, frost-affected areas, and sites with poor geotechnical conditions while reducing costs and environmental impact.

A 61 MW off-grid hybrid system powering the Tropicana gold mine in Western Australia is reporting better than expected performance outcomes from the 24 MW solar farm, grid-forming 13 MW battery energy storage system and 24 MW wind turbines.

The integration of renewable energy and digital infrastructure is a growing area attracting investors, according to survey findings by a new IMF Investors report, showing 80% of a survey respondents plan to increase their infrastructure equity in renewable energy and environmental options.

China-headquartered smart solutions company Leapting’s specialised robots are helping speed up the installation of Neoen’s Culcairn solar farm in New South Wales, which the company says reduces labour intensity and mitigates construction safety risks.

University of New South Wales’ researchers using artificial intelligence to aid analysis of solar cell degradation, developing innovative green ammonia production and an end-of-life electric vehicle battery solution are recipients of commercialisation grants.

Robots on solar sites are not new; they have been deployed to automate everything from operations and maintenance to inspection and cleaning. In recent months, there has been an uptick in interest in robots for installation, particularly among utility-scale solar developers dealing with staff shortages, safety concerns, rising costs, and pressure to build.