Australian Solar Farms in 2024 – An Overview

Harnessing the Sun: Australia’s Solar Farms Set to Shine in 2024

As we continue our steadfast commitment to renewable energy, 2024 marks a pivotal year for Australia’s solar energy sector. With an increasing focus on sustainability and reduced carbon emissions, a host of groundbreaking solar farm projects are on the horizon. From vast expanses of desert to rolling farmlands, these projects are set to reshape Australia’s energy landscape and contribute significantly to the nation’s clean energy goals.

Bungala Solar Farm Expansion – South Australia

The Bungala Solar Farm, situated near Port Augusta in South Australia, is primed to undergo a significant expansion in 2024. This expansion will elevate Bungala’s status as one of the largest solar farms in the Southern Hemisphere. Once completed, the farm will cover an area of over 2,000 hectares, equivalent to more than 3,000 football fields.

The expansion will bring an additional capacity of around 300 megawatts (MW) to the grid, generating enough electricity to power tens of thousands of homes. The Bungala Solar Farm exemplifies Australia’s commitment to transforming its abundant sunlight into a clean and sustainable energy source, further contributing to the state’s renewable energy targets.

Sunraysia Solar Farm – New South Wales

In the heart of New South Wales, the Sunraysia Solar Farm is gearing up for its grand debut in 2024. This ambitious project, spanning approximately 2,000 hectares near Balranald, aims to generate a staggering 1,200 MW of solar power once fully operational. To put this into perspective, the energy produced will be equivalent to powering an estimated 500,000 homes.

The Sunraysia Solar Farm’s cutting-edge technology includes solar tracking systems that follow the sun’s trajectory throughout the day, maximizing energy capture. Such innovations underscore Australia’s determination to utilize the latest advancements in solar technology, driving the nation toward a more sustainable energy future.

Western Downs Green Power Hub – Queensland

Queensland, known for its sunny climate and vast landscapes, is set to host the Western Downs Green Power Hub. This monumental project, located near Chinchilla, is scheduled to commence operations in 2024. The solar farm, spanning over 1,600 hectares, will have an impressive capacity of around 500 MW.

What sets the Western Downs Green Power Hub apart is its integration of battery storage technology. This allows the farm to store excess energy during peak production hours and release it during periods of high demand, ensuring a more stable and reliable power supply. The integration of energy storage reflects Australia’s commitment to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of renewable energy sources.

Yarrabee Solar Project – Victoria

In Victoria, the Yarrabee Solar Project is set to shine in 2024, contributing to the state’s renewable energy goals. This solar farm, located near the town of Echuca, will cover approximately 700 hectares and boast a capacity of around 250 MW. The Yarrabee Solar Project showcases how renewable energy projects can align with local communities, providing economic growth and employment opportunities.

What’s Next?

Australia’s solar farms scheduled for launch or expansion in 2024 are emblematic of the nation’s commitment to a more sustainable energy future. These projects not only harness the abundant solar resources that Australia is blessed with but also reflect a steadfast dedication to reducing carbon emissions and transitioning toward cleaner energy sources.

From the Bungala Solar Farm’s expansion in South Australia to the technological innovations of the Sunraysia Solar Farm in New South Wales, and the integration of energy storage at the Western Downs Green Power Hub in Queensland, these solar farms serve as beacons of progress. As the Yarrabee Solar Project emerges in Victoria, the ripple effect of these projects will undoubtedly extend beyond the energy sector, contributing to local economies and solidifying Australia’s role as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.

  1. Bungala Solar Farm – South Australia Website: Bungala Solar Farm
  2. Sunraysia Solar Farm – New South Wales Website: Sunraysia Solar Farm
  3. Western Downs Green Power Hub – Queensland Website: Western Downs Green Power Hub
  4. Yarrabee Solar Project – Victoria Website: Yarrabee Solar Project

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Panda Solar Farm in Datong, China.

Looks like we’re starting to reach critical mass with solar energy – an interesting story out of Datong today – where a panda solar farm has been created. The panda shaped farm is a bit of a PR effort for China, who continue to lead the world in investment in renewable energy, having added almost 50% of the global solar capacity in 2018. Let’s take a look! 

Panda Solar Farm in Datong, China.

The 250 acre solar farm, which is shaped like a panda, has completed phase one recently. Renewable company Panda Green Energy added 50MW (half of their eventual goal of 100MW) to the grid in Datong. 

According to an article in Forbes, the farm was proposed in May 2016 by the largest shareholder of Panda Green Energy, China Merchants New Energy. The farm was approved with the goal of building support for the renewable energy amongst Chinese youth. It will also replace burning 1 million tons of coal over the next 25 years. 

Panda Solar Farm in China (source: Forbes.com via CHINA MERCHANTS NEW ENERGY/PANDA GREEN ENERGY)In order to create the ‘dark’ and ‘light’ solar panels to create the panda, darker mono-crystalline silicon and lighter thin film cells were used. When placed in an array they become the panda you see above!

Are you, for some inexplicable reason, crazy about Panda shaped solar farms? Well, you’re in luck. There are 100 more coming across Asia in the next few years. Fiji have already announced one underway. We’ll keep you updated as soon as any others are finished!

With China working so hard to offer renewable energy to its populace, we hope to see other countries step up and investing big time in large scale renewable energy production.

Some other Chinese solar announcements we’ve covered:

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Bright Acre Energy – Solar IPO, 2019 Plans

European solar project developer Wirsol Energy have an Australian arm known as Bright Acre Energy. The company has been working on a $500m IPO of their Aussie solar portfolio, but news is thin on the ground lately. Let’s take a look at what to expect from BAE in 2019.

Bright Acre Energy $500m Australian Solar IPO

Bright Acre Energy Gannawarra Solar Farm
Bright Acre Energy Gannawarra Solar Farm (source: brightacreenergy.com.au)

Bright Acre Energy have ten projects in various stages of completion, situated in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. According to the Australian Financial Review, the projects are set to fully connect to the national power grid by the end of 2019. These five projects will total over 1100MW, which is enough electricity to power 350,000+ houses. The official site names the farms as currently having 397MWp of nameplate capacity, with half of this commercially operational and the other half ‘almost there’. 

Former Australian rugby union player Bill Calcraft was the CEO last year, and along with Gerard Dover the site has them listed as ‘Proposed Management’ – so not sure what this means for 2019 – and there hasn’t been any specific news on their potential IPO. We’ve reached out to the team and will keep you updated if we find out anything about Bright Acre’s plans for the rest of the year. 

Bright Acre Energy are currently responsible for the following projects, as per their website:

  • Hamilton Solar Farm (Collinsville, QLD) (Operational) (69MWp)
  • Whitsunday Solar Farm (Collinsville, QLD) (Operational) (69MWp)
  • Clermont Solar Farm (Clermont, QLD) (Near-term Operational) (89MWp)
  • Springdale Solar Farm (Springdale, NSW) (Pipeline) (120MWp)
  • Bomen Solar Farm (Bomen, NSW) (Pipeline) (120MWp)
  • Hay Solar Farm (Hay, NSW) (Pipeline) (140 MWp)
  • Buronga Energy Station (Buronga, NSW) (Pipeline) (400MWp)
  • Wemen Solar Farm aka Wemen Sun Farm (Wemen, NSW) (Near-term Operational) (110MWp)
  • Gannawarra Energy Storage System (Kerang, VIC) (25MW/50MWh)
  • Gannawarra Solar Farm (Kerang, VIC) (60MWp)

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Sundrop Farms | Solar Greenhouse

Sundrop Farms have a solar greenhouse at Port Augusta in South Australia and today we’ll take a look at how it works and how effective the system is. 

Sundrop Farms | Solar Greenhouse

Sundrop Farms Solar Greenhouse
Sundrop Farms Solar Greenhouse (source: Sundrop Facebook)

Sundrop Farms’ pilot facility was opened in Port Augusta in 2010. The solar hydroponic farming concept cost $200m to build and was opened at the end of 2016. It includes a 20 hectare solar greenhouse, a field of 23,000 mirrors, a 127m tall solar tower and a desalination plant. Another great step in the right direction for solar technology

According to an interview with Sundrop Farms Australia Managing Director Steve Marafiote in GQ, it was an easy choice to work with the company once he saw what their value proposition was:

“When I understood what Sundrop was about, I knew I wanted to be part of the business,” Mr. Marafiote said.

“This large-scale sustainable operation is world leading,” he continued. 

“If you look at the agricultural land where the farm is now, it was 120 hectare site that would traditionally sustain six to 10 cows a year. That’s it. Instead, that desert land has been converted to produce 15,000 tonnes of tomatoes a year – it’s a stark difference.”

The project had $100m of investment from private equity firm KKR and partners with Coles Supermarkets as an official partner. Sundrop has a 10 year contract with them to deliver truss tomatoes – giving them a sizeable 15% share of the Australian market. 

Another massive boon for companies wanting to use a method like this for renewable farming is that there is a surfeit of data points with which to make decisions, includeing monitoring and controlling such factors as water, fuel, temperature and electricity use:

“We know what those operating costs will look like for the next 20 years, and I don’t think there are too many sectors who have the luxury of that position.” said Marafiote.

Click here to view the official website.

 

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