Jun 25 2010
Today leading solar company Ingenero announced it will be developing and installing the largest flat panel solar facility in Australia at the University of Queensland (UQ). In addition to the rooftop project, Ingenero will be installing a SolFocus ground-mounted solar array, based on advanced high-efficiency Concentrator Photovoltaic (CPV) technology. In combination, this activity will provide clean energy to the university as well as a training and research platform for assessing multiple leading-edge technologies.
The project will be deployed at the University’s St. Lucia campus in Brisbane. It is a 1.2 megawatt solar system installed across four rooftops. The system will incorporate over 5,000 polycrystalline silicon solar panels manufactured by Trina Solar. Befitting its soon-to-be home in the Sunshine State, the large-scale solar energy system will not only provide UQ with a significant source of clean green energy but will also supply invaluable data on the positive effect that embedded solar generators can have within power distribution networks. It is the latest project in a range of renewable energy-based research projects Ingenero and UQ have closely collaborated on over the last two years. In recognition of the importance of energy-based research, Ingenero is also donating a CPV system from its equipment supplier SolFocus. This SF-1100S array is rated at 8.4 kW, and will be part of a comprehensive research and training program at the University.
“The UQ solar power installation represents the leading edge of commercial and industrial scale solar energy in Australia. The University will substantially reduce their carbon footprint and provide an excellent learning facility for the future leaders in the renewable energy industry,” said Ingenero CEO Steve McRae.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Greenfield commended the State Government for its commitment to solar research and technology.
“UQ will show leadership as a generator and user of solar energy and also as a provider of internationally-recognised teaching, research, and development regarding solar technologies,” Professor Greenfield said.
Professor Paul Meredith who leads the research project at the University of Queensland said, “Not only is this array a significant piece of energy infrastructure for UQ, but it also represents a globally leading research and teaching facility. Our objective is to integrate the array into everyday business across UQ and also provide the community, industry, and government with vital information on how to deploy and optimize solar energy systems at this scale. We are looking forward to building productive and expansive research partnerships with Ingenero and Trina Solar.”
As part of the project, the SolFocus CPV system will serve educational purposes by providing research and teaching opportunities. Trina Solar will also contribute to UQ’s research activities by collaborating on several leading edge solar technology research projects.
This successful tender from Ingenero follows another significant milestone for the local Brisbane company who was also awarded a major solar project for the Alice Springs Airport. That 235 kilowatt facility is the first SolFocus CPV power plant to be installed in the Southern Hemisphere and will generate up to 28% of the airport’s energy requirements.
Source: http://www.ingenero.com/