The University of Queensland (UQ) will deploy both c-Si modules from Trina Solar and demonstration array from CPV firm, SolFocus at its St. Lucia campus in Brisbane. Four rooftop installations totally 1.2MW will use approximately 5,000 Trina modules for energy needs at the campus, while a ground-mounted 8.4 kW solar array from SolFocus using its SF-1100S system will be used as part of a comprehensive research and training program at the University. Ingenero, an Australian renewable energy company is managing the project and was responsible for the donation of the SolFocus array system, according to the company. The Queensland Government is contributing a grant of AUD1.5 million towards the AUD7.75 million project.

“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.

Professor Paul Meredith who leads the research project at the University of Queensland and is a co-founder of XeroCoat 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.

Trina Solar is also expected to collaborate on research activities at the University.

Ingenero also noted that it had been 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.