Signal Energy Australia powers ahead with NSW solar plant

Signal Energy Australia has announced it will be working alongside Canadian Solar to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the Finley Solar Plant in New South Wales.

ESCO Pacific’s 175 MWdc/133 MWac plant will be built on approximately 1000 acres of grazing, crop and irrigated lands near Finley, and it will be Signal Energy Australia’s first utility-scale solar contract in Australia. Greg Pawson, Signal Energy President, said this seemed like a logical step for the company, following its success in the United States.

“We sincerely appreciate the confidence that ESCO Pacific has placed in Signal Energy Australia and the overall warm welcome we have received from the Australian solar industry since arriving,” said Robbin Russell, General Manager of Signal Energy Australia. “Canadian Solar’s focus on providing creative technical and commercial solutions match very well with Signal’s mission and we are very pleased to be working together with them on this important project.”

Over 490,000 of Canadian Solar’s 1500 V high-efficiency KuMax modules (CS3U-P) will be installed on single-axis tracking systems. Construction started in December 2018, and once completed later this year, the solar plant will produce enough electricity to power over 90,000 homes, while displacing more than 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Canadian Solar Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dr Shawn Qu said, “We are delighted to be selected by ESCO Pacific to provide EPC services together with Signal Energy and to supply our 1500 V crystalline module to this large-scale solar power. This partnership further expands our presence and solidifies our competitive position in Australia. We are committed to providing customers in Australia and around the world with access to clean, affordable and reliable solar energy.”

Image credit: ©iStockphoto.com/PedroCastellano