ARENA provides $2.9m for utility-scale solar project

The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is providing Victorian company RayGen with a $2.9 million recoupable grant towards a $5.8 million project aimed at developing a utility-scale solar system utilising its PV Ultra technology.

Intended to act as the world’s lowest-cost energy generation technology, PV Ultra differs from typical large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) arrays as it relies on mirrors to track and reflect the sun onto an ultraefficient solar PV receiver atop a central tower. The technology is particularly effective in locations with strong, direct sunlight.

ARENA CEO Ivor Frischknecht said the funding will allow RayGen to take its system to the next level, building on the success of its pilot plant (partially funded by ARENA) in Newbridge, Victoria. He explained, “Over the course of this project, RayGen will develop a cheaper and more efficient commercial product and scale up operations through a newly developed 8 MW per year manufacturing line for its highly efficient PV receiver at its facility in Blackburn, Victoria.

“RayGen’s improved technology will be installed at the existing Newbridge site and will generate enough renewable energy to power the equivalent of 50 homes in the local community.”

Frischknecht said the potential for RayGen’s PV Ultra technology extends well beyond Australian shores and has already attracted Chinese investors. He noted, “A flexible system size makes the solution a good option for developing countries and remote locations looking to access affordable power without building expensive grid infrastructure.”

RayGen CEO Alex Wyatt said ARENA’s two-stage support has been instrumental in hastening the technology’s pathway towards commercialisation. The latest project, which will enable RayGen to increase its manufacturing capacity, is planned for completion by December 2016.