- Array Technologies will set up a local tracker making fab in Australia with undisclosed annual capacity
- The decision was taken to align with strong local content requirements of Victoria’s VRET2 auction
- The US based company has been hired to supply its locally made trackers to one of the winners of VRET2, 130 MW DC Glenrowan Solar Farm
One of the world’s largest solar tracker manufacturers Array Technologies is to set up local production facility in Australia’s Victoria to supply trackers to a 130 MW DC solar farm after winning the ‘1st’ tracker supplier contract for projects awarded under Victoria Renewable Energy Tender 2 (VRET2).
Array said it is the 1st solar tracker company to set up local manufacturing operations to support solar power projects in Australia.
“We are proud to be the first company to provide a locally made tracker and support Australia’s domestic manufacturing base for future renewable energy projects,” said Array CEO Kevin Hostetler.
He added that the decision will help it meet the growing demand for renewable energy utilities and also expedite project schedules in Australia. The management did not specify the timeline or capacity of the planned fab.
It will supply solar trackers to 130 MW DC Glenrowan Solar Farm of Pacific Partnerships, awarded as part of 623 MW PV and 365 MW/600 MWh battery energy storage under VRET2 in October 2022 (see Australia’s Victoria Auctions 623 MW Solar Power Capacity).
Victoria’s VRET
The State of Victoria has already achieved 25% renewable energy share in the electricity mix as targeted by 2020. It is legislated to expand it to 40% by 2025 and to 50% by 2030. However it intends to update the target to achieve 65% by 2030 and 95% by 2035.
VRET is the state government’s tool to award long-term contracts to meet its renewable energy ambitions and create investment certainty for this sector. It stresses on local content requirements to build domestic supply chains for the projects.
Under VRET1 in September 2018, it awarded 928 MW capacity as against 650 MW tendered selecting 254.6 MW solar power capacity (see Victoria Awards 928 MW New RE Capacity).
Array is also included in TaiyangNews latest Market Survey on Solar Trackers, which was published end of Dec. 2022 and provides background on stakeholders and products. The report can be downloaded for free here.
