Agriculture
20 May, 2024
Solar testbed shines on future
PHOTOVOLTAIC solar modules generating nearly 2000 times more power than traditional solar systems have come out winners after a decade of testing at Newbridge. RayGen says its high efficiency, low-cost long-duration energy innovation using solar PV...
PHOTOVOLTAIC solar modules generating nearly 2000 times more power than traditional solar systems have come out winners after a decade of testing at Newbridge.
RayGen says its high efficiency, low-cost long-duration energy innovation using solar PV and thermal water-based energy storage systems is a world leader.
Founder and chief research officer John Lasich told the Loddon Herald generation capacity had tripled in the decade before last month’s State Government announcement of a $20 million investment in the company.
The company has its flagship solar and storage project near Mildura and is building a new construction facility in Hawthorn.
“We commissioned a single 250 kW PV Ultra tower at the Newbridge site. This was hot on the heels of RayGen setting a world record for solar system efficiency with the University of New South Wales, so it was a very exciting time for the company to see our technology come to life at Newbridge,” he said.
“Another two 250kW towers were commissioned in 2018 and they still operate today.”
He said the Newbridge site represented the first deployment of the company’s solar technology and showcased solar modules and solar operating software.
“The project has been providing electricity to local customers since 2015, as well as showcasing how well the plant is suited for dual land use with sheep grazing in the field of mirrors,” he said. “The project has provided a real-world, end to end testbed for key parts of RayGen’s core solar power generation technology over 10 years.
“Learnings from this project underpin the next generation of the RayGen product which includes integrated storage which is enabled by capturing the byproduct heat from our modules. A multi-megawatt scale demonstration has been built near Mildura.
Mr Lasich said Newbridge continued as an operating testbed with further research and development facilities now at the site.
Company CEO Richard Payne said: “We’re a Victorian-born company with global ambitions for dispatchable renewable energy generation and advanced manufacturing.”
Combined with their thermal water-based storage system - which uses heat captured from water that is used to cool the modules - RayGen has developed its energy storage solution that is easily scalable, according to the Government.