First successful Solar Flagships Program applicants announced

Two leading-edge solar technologies from BP Solar and Wind Prospect CWP have become the first successful applicants for the federal government’s $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program.

The Clean Energy Council has congratulated its two members for technologies that will take Australia closer to a clean energy future.

“The United States, Europe and China have all switched on to the potential of large-scale solar power, but Australia is just getting started. Currently our largest solar facility is a 3 MW solar plant at Liddell in NSW that uses solar thermal concentrators to produce power.

“The Solar Flagships Program is a great example of a government showing leadership to develop a promising new industry. The power from the Australian sun is among the best in the world and these pioneering projects will help to develop specialised local expertise, knowledge and skills to effectively pave the way for large-scale solar development in this country,” he said.

One successful solar photovoltaic project and one solar thermal project were named in the first round of Solar Flagships. BP Solar proposed to build 150 MW of capacity at several locations across NSW, maximising power generation by using a single-axis tracking system. Its project is a joint venture with consortium partners Pacific Hydro and Fotowatio Renewable Ventures.

Wind Prospect CWP’s 250 MW solar thermal project at Kogan Creek in Queensland will use special compact linear fresnel lenses to concentrate sunlight and power a turbine. Its project partners include CS Energy, Mitsuit & Co and AREVA Solar, which developed the lenses.

Warren said one of the things that has been lacking for the large-scale solar sector was a long-term policy strategy to help the technology become a mainstream part of Australia’s energy mix in the future.

“The Clean Energy Council has done extensive work on developing a road map for the development of large-scale solar power and looks forward to working with all political parties on policy to support the sector going forward,” he said.