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12 September 2022
Wollar Solar Farm Seeking Solar Panel Supplier
September 12, 2022 by Michael Bloch
A huge soon-to-be-constructed PV power station project in New South Wales will be a very nice score for a solar panel manufacturer.
Construction of Wollar Solar Farm, which is to be built on a site around 50km from Mudgee, is due to commence in December this year. Project owner BJEI Australia1 posted a note on the Wollar web site on Friday stating:
“We will be running a competitive tender process to select the PV module supplier for approximately 355MW of PV modules.”
Suppliers don’t have much time to register their interest, with the EOI closing this Friday.
How Many Solar Panels Is 355MW?
A lot – but the exact number depends on the capacity (power output) of the solar panels. The project web site states around 660,000, which would work out to around 540 watts each. There will be more if lower capacity modules are selected, fewer if a higher capacity is chosen.
A number of manufacturers are already producing solar panels with capacities well exceeding 540 watts. For example, TrinaSolar, Risen Energy and Canadian Solar are cranking out 670W modules. These monster panels aren’t just big on power, but also physical size and weight; so they aren’t suitable for residential rooftops. TrinaSolar’s Vertex 670W is a whopping 2384 x 1303mm and weighs in at a hefty 33.9 kilograms2.
About Wollar Solar Farm
The project location is approximately 7km south of Wollar; an area with a population of just 69 people. The region is in the heart of coal country, with several mines within a 25 kilometre radius.
Of the 878-hectare Wollar Solar Farm site, approximately 461 hectares will be developed for the clean power facility and associated infrastructure. There’s an existing TransGrid 330kV transmission line running across the property in the north eastern corner, which will be utilised to connect the solar farm to the grid.
As we reported back in 2019, there’s also an energy storage aspect to this project that will use lithium-ion batteries, with a capacity of up to 30 MWh.
The project has been on the boards for quite a while – since at least early 2018 – and no doubt the developer is keen to get cracking. But there have been some related works already performed or underway; including access roads and TransGrid began work on a substation late last year.
Wollar Solar Farm is expected to take around 18 months to build and require a workforce of 400 during peak construction activity. Local skills and expertise are to be utilised as much as possible. The facility is expected to have a service life of 30 years1 .
10 August 2023
Timken’s Slewing Drives Empower Australia’s Second-Largest Solar Tracking System Project
The Timken Company, a pioneering force in engineered bearings and industrial motion products, is playing a crucial role in advancing sustainable energy solutions in Australia. In a groundbreaking collaboration, Timken is supplying slewing drives to propel the construction of the second-largest photovoltaic (PV) solar tracking system project in the country.
Esteemed solar tracker manufacturer ATEC has selected Timken’s innovative Cone Drive solution to navigate the intricate challenges posed by wind conditions in the mountainous terrain of New South Wales. The ambitious 280 MW Wollar Solar Farm, a testament to renewable energy progress, is set to harness the sun’s power, contributing significantly to Australia’s green energy goals.
The decision to integrate Timken’s Cone Drive solution is a testament to the company’s commitment to engineering excellence and innovation. Timken’s involvement underscores the profound impact of collaboration and technological prowess on achieving renewable energy objectives.
Carl Rapp, Group Vice President of Drive Systems and Services at Timken, emphasized the symbiotic relationship between Timken and ATEC, stating, “We collaborate closely with ATEC and other solar companies to provide innovative solutions in response to a wide range of challenges, including weather and terrain.”
By leveraging its engineering expertise and working hand-in-hand with industry partners, Timken is elevating the performance and reliability of solar tracking systems. This endeavor aligns with Timken’s overarching vision of fostering a more efficient and resilient world through sustainable energy solutions.
Timken’s strategic partnership with ATEC extends beyond the Wollar Solar Farm. Their joint efforts have contributed to the success of various solar projects, spanning continents from Zambia to China. In the context of the Wollar Solar Farm, Timken is introducing a groundbreaking octagonal rotating shaft solution, meticulously designed to withstand the region’s formidable wind conditions. The anticipation is that this innovative solution will empower the solar panels to perform optimally, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness of the solar farm.
Developers of the Wollar Solar Farm are poised to complete the project and integrate it into Australia’s national power transmission grid by 2024. Timken’s unwavering dedication to renewable energy is evident through its significant investments in research and development, spanning solar and wind energy domains. Timken’s formidable manufacturing, engineering, and testing capabilities span across its global footprint, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and technological breakthroughs.
Notable solar tracking system projects have benefited from Timken’s expertise, including the world’s largest single-site solar power plant, Al Dhafra PV2; South Africa’s Redstone Solar Thermal Power project; Dubai’s Al Maktoum Solar Park; and PowerChina’s Jiangxi Electric project. Timken’s contributions resonate far beyond technical advancements, encapsulating the collective effort to shape a sustainable future through renewable energy solutions.
Timken posted $4.5 billion in sales in 2022. Renewable energy stands as Timken’s primary end-market sector, accounting for approximately 10 percent of the company’s total sales in 2022. Timken’s enduring commitment to environmental sustainability underscores its position as an industry leader, paving the way for a cleaner and greener energy landscape2 .