Utility Scale PV

SUN Energy’s 100 MW Merredin Solar Farm in Western Australia has emerged as the country’s best performing utility PV project in 2021 with international consultancy firm Rystad Energy noting it delivered an average capacity factor of 29.6% for the calendar year.

Called the 1+X modular inverter, the new product can be deployed, by combining eight units, to reach a power of 8.8MW. It also features a DC/ESS interface for the connection of storage energy systems.

Spanish renewables developer X-Elio expects its 200 MW Blue Grass Solar Farm will achieve full commercial operations early this year after it reached financial close for the $215 million project being developed near Chinchilla in Queensland’s Western Downs region.

Australian investment manager Infrastructure Capital Group has stepped into the solar energy sector with the acquisition of a majority stake in a ~300 MW solar PV and energy storage portfolio from clean technology developer and investment firm Providence Asset Group.

For just shy of a week leading up to December 29, South Australia sourced an average of 101% of its electricity demand from renewable energy.

Sydney-based solar pioneer 5B has launched a $33.4 million tech innovation program, including a $14 million grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, designed to accelerate the delivery of ultra low cost solar. While a majority of the investment is portioned off for an advanced manufacturing pilot line, approximately a third of the available funds will be used to deliver GPS-guided solar deployment robots.

The list of the eligible renewable energy producers also includes 36 hydropower facilities totalling 412.8MW, 36 biomass schemes with an aggregate capacity of 264.8MW, seven wind farms with a total power of 409.9MW, and six geothermal power plants totalling 218.5MW.

French renewables developer Neoen has started early works on its Goyder Renewables Zone, just north of Adelaide in South Australia. When completed, the project is likely to be the country’s largest wind, solar and battery storage project.

The Australian arm of German-headquartered renewable energy developer BayWa r.e has added to its growing portfolio of solar PV projects with state and local governments providing the tick of approval for a proposed $18.9 million solar farm to be constructed near Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

Western Australian renewables company Global Energy Ventures is steaming ahead with its plan to establish a massive 2.8 GW green hydrogen production and export facility on the Tiwi Islands off the coast of the Northern Territory, announcing it has already commenced the development program.