Trina Solar selected for large-scale solar farm

Trina Solar has been awarded the contract to supply the PV modules for the 100 MW AC (126 MW DC) Clare Solar Farm in Queensland, which will be one of the largest utility-scale solar facilities constructed this year.

The solar farm is expected to commence construction in early 2017 with Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) awarding the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) to Downer EDI Limited, one of Australia’s largest and most experienced partners in delivering renewable projects.

The project marks a significant milestone for the Australian solar industry as it is the first utility-scale solar generation facility to secure financing purely on the basis of a commercial power purchasing agreement, without any additional government grants and funding.

The PV modules to be supplied for the project comprise of monocrystalline Duomax panels rated at 1500 V. Duomax utilises double glass and a frameless design that enables improved product reliability and performance. The product is specifically designed to improve project levelised cost of energy driven by its lower degradation rate and 30 years performance warranty. The 1500 V rating enables savings in balance of systems performance improvement at a system level.

The Clare Solar Farm will boost the local economy and create about 200 jobs during construction. When completed, it will generate enough power for 42,000 Queensland homes.