Clenergy, a provider of solar solutions, announced it has supplied a 1.7MWdc PV-ezRack SolarTerrace V ground mount system for the diesel displacement solar plant project at Rio Tinto’s Weipa bauxite mine in Cape York Peninsula at the northern tip of eastern Australia.

The project received funding from the Commonwealth Government, with an initial commitment of $3.5 million from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).

The project is Australia’s first commercial diesel displacement solar plant to have successfully commenced commercial operation at a remote mine.

This solar project was developed by First Solar who also provided turnkey Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) services and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services. The 1.7MWdc mounting system is part of the first phase of the project.

Clenergy provided an integrated mounting solution and engineering services for the Weipa solar project.

The project uses First Solar’s advanced thin film frameless panels.  To comply with warranty requirements, Clenergy developed a special and unique cyclone rated clamp, which then was tested and accepted by First Solar.

The integrated mounting solution also included a specially-designed adapter to connect the ground screws to the STV posts.

Clenergy conducted on-site pull-out and lateral tests to optimize the mounting structure and to maximize the system’s resistance to cyclones. The anodized aluminum structure is ideal for Weipa’s humid environment.

PV-ezRack SolarTerrace V was developed for utility-scale PV deployments and offers a wide range of adjustability and easy deployment, the company said.

At peak output, the 1.2MWac capacity solar plant has the capacity to generate sufficient electricity to support up to 20 per cent of the township’s daytime electricity demand.

Rajani Baburajan

editor@greentechlead.com