Trina Solar today said its panels are powering the 15 megawatt (MW) Sunshine Coast Solar Farm in Valdora, Australia.
As per the agreement, Trina Solar will supply 57,000 pieces of Duomax PEG14 315 W photovoltaic (PV) solar panel modules.
Trina Solar did not reveal the financials of the solar panel deal.
Sunshine Coast Solar Farm will be fully operational by mid-2017. The Sunshine Coast Council of Australia owns the solar farm. The organization can save up to $22 million, after costs, over a 30-year period based on today’s cost of electricity.
By starting the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm this year, Sunshine Coast Council aims to become the first local government in Australia to offset 100 percent of its electricity consumption across its facilities and operations from renewable energy.
Downer has bagged the contract to Design, Construct, Operate and Maintain (DCOM) the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm.
The farm is the country’s fifth largest installed solar plant in Australia and is built on 24 hectares in Valdora which is exposed to high winds and extreme weather conditions such as cyclones. The Duomax module was selected due to its robust mechanical properties that can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Duomax has unique module architecture utilizing double glass and a frameless design that enables improved product reliability and performance. The product is designed to improve project Levelized Cost of Electricity (LCOE) driven by its lower degradation rate and enables Balance of Systems (BoS) savings at system level, making it a preferred choice for developers.
“The Sunshine Coast Solar Farm is one of the first projects to be delivered at the 1500V rating system,” said Helena Li, president, Asia Pacific and Middle East, Trina Solar.
Sunshine Coast Solar Farm will generate 15,000 kilowatts of electricity from the sun. This will supply power to the local Council’s administration buildings, aquatic centres, community and performance venues, as well as holiday parks, libraries, art galleries and sporting facilities.