01.25.16
Jan. 25, 2016
www.firstsolar.com
First Solar celebrated the opening of Australia’s largest utility‐scale solar plants – both located in New South Wales (NSW). While the environmental benefits of utility‐scale solar are well known in Australia, the substantial and continual improvement in the cost and performance of new solar power is often overlooked.
The opening of the 155MW Nyngan and Broken Hill solar plants reflects the positive future of utility‐scale solar in Australia. Today there is a total of 245MW1 of utility‐scale solar operating in Australia, of which First Solar has built 165MW.
“In many parts of the world, solar energy is already cost‐competitive with conventional generation,” said Jack Curtis, First Solar’s regional manager for Asia Pacific. “Considering the substantial and sustained cost reductions in the solar industry and the lessons learnt at projects like Nyngan and Broken Hill, it is inevitable that utility‐scale solar projects in Australia will compete on an unsubsidised basis, in the near future.”
With the completion of both the Nyngan and Broken Hill Solar Plants, First Solar cements its position as Australia’s leading utility‐scale PV solutions provider.
“As aging coal power plants are decommissioned, there is an enormous potential for renewable energy – and utility‐scale PV in particular – to fill the void and provide clean and affordable electricity,” Curtis added.
www.firstsolar.com
First Solar celebrated the opening of Australia’s largest utility‐scale solar plants – both located in New South Wales (NSW). While the environmental benefits of utility‐scale solar are well known in Australia, the substantial and continual improvement in the cost and performance of new solar power is often overlooked.
The opening of the 155MW Nyngan and Broken Hill solar plants reflects the positive future of utility‐scale solar in Australia. Today there is a total of 245MW1 of utility‐scale solar operating in Australia, of which First Solar has built 165MW.
“In many parts of the world, solar energy is already cost‐competitive with conventional generation,” said Jack Curtis, First Solar’s regional manager for Asia Pacific. “Considering the substantial and sustained cost reductions in the solar industry and the lessons learnt at projects like Nyngan and Broken Hill, it is inevitable that utility‐scale solar projects in Australia will compete on an unsubsidised basis, in the near future.”
With the completion of both the Nyngan and Broken Hill Solar Plants, First Solar cements its position as Australia’s leading utility‐scale PV solutions provider.
“As aging coal power plants are decommissioned, there is an enormous potential for renewable energy – and utility‐scale PV in particular – to fill the void and provide clean and affordable electricity,” Curtis added.