First Solar installs final modules at Broken Hill Solar Plant
First Solar, Inc has installed the final advanced photovoltaic (PV) modules at the 53 MW Broken Hill Solar Plant in New South Wales (NSW), which is on schedule to be fully operational by the end of the year. Together with the 102 MW Nyngan Solar Plant, Australia's two largest utility-scale solar plants will produce approximately 360,000 MWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power 50,000 average Australian homes.
To-date, 677,760 of First Solar's advanced PV modules have been installed. Jack Curtis, First Solar's Regional Manager for Asia Pacific said the plant's advanced Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) modules offer significant efficiency and reliability advantages over typical crystalline silicon modules, particularly in a hot climate like Broken Hill.
"We are pleased to provide another best-in-class PV solar power plant to the growing renewable energy portfolio in Australia. By combining industry leading thin film modules and construction techniques, this project demonstrates First Solar's capability to rapidly develop and construct a solar asset at competitive prices," said Mr. Curtis.
In September this year, First Solar and project partners AGL Energy, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the NSW Government achieved first generation at the Broken Hill Solar Plant, with an initial 26 MW of renewable energy feeding into the National Electricity Market.
"Just six months after Australia's largest solar plant at Nyngan was switched on, we are now another step closer to completing Australia's two largest utility-scale solar plants in the same year. First Solar's delivery record has set an industry benchmark and this milestone reaffirms the prominent role utility-scale solar PV will continue to play in Australia's energy future," said Mr. Curtis.
AGL Executive General Manager Group Operations, Doug Jackson said, "Today the Plant generates up to 27 MW of renewable energy into the grid and the remaining 26 MW is expected to be brought online this month. Renewable technology like our Broken Hill Solar Plant and its sister plant at Nyngan, play an important part in AGL's transition towards a decarbonised economy. Broken Hill will contribute to the more than 1,900 MW of renewable capacity AGL currently has in operation or under development."
Acting ARENA CEO Ian Kay congratulated AGL and First Solar on the milestone.
"There is a real sense of momentum driving large-scale solar in Australia today. The Broken Hill and Nyngan solar plants are already supplying power to Australian homes and we now have $350 million available through ARENA and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, which will further accelerate growth in the sector," Mr Kay said.
First Solar has provided engineering, procurement and construction services for both the Broken Hill and Nyngan Solar Plants, and will provide maintenance services for five years once operational. These plants are supported by $166.7 million in funding from ARENA and $64.9 million from the NSW Government.
