Solar Systems, a subsidiary of Silex Systems, has completed Australia’s largest concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) solar power station located in Mildura, north-west Victoria.
The station, which is a grid connected facility, will be used to demonstrate Solar Systems’ ‘Dense Array’ CPV solar conversion system.
The station will generate enough electricity to meet the needs of about 500 average-sized homes.
Diamond Energy will purchase the electricity generated from the plant under an agreement, which was signed in December 2012.
Silex CEO Dr Michael Goldsworthy said: ""The completion of the Mildura facility is a major step forward in the commercialisation of Solar Systems’ unique ‘Dense Array’ CPV technology."
He added: "All 40 dish systems have been successfully commissioned and are operational, with clean energy now feeding into the national electricity grid.
"If successfully commercialised, the deployment of utility-scale solar power stations around the world has the ability to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues within a few years. This could be a game-changing renewable energy technology."
Solar Systems has secured a $10m funding package from the Victoria State Government and an additional financial aid from the Federal Government of Australia for the 1.5MW Mildura project.
As part of the next phase of the project, the company is planning to expand the facility to 100MW with construction expected to start in late 2014.
The commencement of construction is subject to securing a power purchase agreement and the finalisation of funding arrangements.
Image: The completed Dense Array CPV Demonstration Facility in Mildura. Photo: Courtesy of Silex Systems.
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