Indianapolis Motor Speedway has the world's largest solar PV farm

With installed capacity of 9 MW, no other sporting facility in the world has larger solar farm than Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).

Brazil's World Cup stadiums such as Mane Garrincha and Estádio Governador Magalhães Pinto have PV arrays installed on their rooftops but theirs are smaller in size - up to 2.5 MW. In Europe, Verona’s Bentegodi football stadium is fitted with 1 MW of solar PV module.



The 9-MW solar PV farm at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The facility was unveiled early July 2014. Image: REW


“In 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was constructed in part to help advance the automotive industry, which at that time was the new technology of the day. Today, the unused land at the IMS property just east of the race track has been transformed into a solar energy production facility that will provide an alternative source of energy to IPL customers.” - J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president.


About the IMS solar farm

Installation size	:	9 MW
PV module used	:	Over 39,300 pcs
Installer	:	Sunwize Technologies
Generated power	:	To be used first by the sporting facility
		Excess power to be fed back to the power grid, through PPA

TheGreenMechanics: That's Cool! Thumbs up.

What the folks at Indiana Motor Speedway did was utilise the dormant space near the backstretch of the racetrack and turn it into energy farm. I guess, for the guys running the sporting facility, it's a straight forward kind of idea and one that is sensible, doable; it's just a matter of what to decide and when.


Source: Renewable Energy World

Kumpulan Melaka to build second Solar PV farm this year

We have nothing but admiration for Melaka's determination and quest for more energy generated from renewable sources. Latest in its list of green technology initiative is the proposed RM20 mil second solar farm.

Last year, Kumpulan Melaka Berhad opened the country's first state-owned solar farm. The 5 MW solar photovoltaic farm involved an investment of about RM46 million.

Launching of Melaka's first solar PV farm in 2012 by then Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam. NST pic.

Note:
The solar farm was created in three phases: The first (1.3MW) was completed in April 2013, second phase (1.22MW) in May 2013 and the final phase of 2.48MW was completed in August 2013.




Second solar farm to cost RM20 million

Kumpulan Melaka Bhd is investing approximately RM20 million to build and operate its second solar farm in Melaka this year.

Technical Manager KhairulEzuan Harun said the new solar farm is projected to have two megawatts (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) sprawled on 2.8 hectares.

The solar valley would apply solar energy as the primary alternative activities for all sectors which would encompass land development, research, innovation and commercialisation, he said.

"However, the solar farm project is also subject to Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia (SEDA) quota as they need to get more funds," he told Bernama.

SEDA will set a quota on the amount of solar power systems that can be installed in every six months. KhairulEzuan said SEDA has yet to announce when the new quota will be released but once the quota is unveiled, the group will proceed with the project.

All power generated by the solar farm will be sold to power giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd, and the electricity will be channelled directly into the National Power Grid.

Late last year, the Melaka state government launched the first state-owned 5MWp solar PV farm in the country, which cost RM46 million. The solar farm, built on a 7.2ha site at the Rembia Industrial Park is one of the five key projects realising Melaka's ambition to become a green technology city-state by 2020.

The park was created in three phases. The first phase, to produce 1.3MW electricity, was completed in April last year, followed by 1.22MW electricity under the second phase in May last year and the final phase of 2.48MW in August last year.

The first solar farm in Melaka, which is expected to create 45,000 jobs, is poised to contribute a total of RM118 million of gross national income for 21 years, he added. - Sourced from: Bernama, January 30, 2014.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

The date for the release and volume of the new renewable energy quota for 2014 under the FIT programme will be announced by SEDA next month, during the International Sustainable Energy Summit.

Big RE players such as Kumpulan Melaka, Cypark, etc., would be eyeing for big chunk of the pie but let's hope everyone has equal chance of getting the cut. The non-individual quota is the one that would be snapped up as soon as it is announced. 

There should be mechanism in place to enable more organisations to take part in the green technology initiative. Attempt by some to win big quota and then distributing them to others in umbrella concept must be curtailed.

Cultivate crops and build solar PV on the same farmland

You may have ran out of space (or land) for installing solar PV and you don't want to mess up your roof with the heavy PV modules, but that should not deter you from finding ways to take part in the renewable energy initiative by the government.

So, you started to innovate.

Take a look at this efforts by Japanese farmers. They mixed solar farming with cash crop farming. They keep the traditional farming on their agricultural lands but at the same time reap the benefit via Feed-in Tariff mechanism for generating electricity from solar.



Makoto Takazawa owns a 34.8kW 'solar sharing' farmland in Chiba Prefecture. Photo via REW


How did the 'solar sharing' concept started

Akira Nagashima, a retired engineer, studied and found that the rate of photosynthesis increases as the irradiance level is increased; however at one point, any further increase in the amount of light that strikes the plant does not cause any increase to the rate of photosynthesis.

By knowing that too much sun won’t help further growth of plants, Nagashima came up with the idea to combine PV systems and farming. He devised and originally patented special structure, which is much like a pergola (shaded walkway) in a garden.

He created a couple of testing fields with different shading rates and different crops. The structures he created are made of pipes and rows of PV panels, which are arranged with certain intervals to allow enough sunlight to hit the ground for photosynthesis.



The concept of co-existing farmland and solar PV was first developed by a retired engineer, Akira Nagashima. Photo via REW



Takazawa's solar sharing farm. Photo via REW


Installation cost and FiT rate

In the case of Makoto Takazawa (the first picture above) the cost of the system producing 35,000 kWh annually is about ¥12.6 million (around $126,000). Having secured the first available FIT rate of ¥42/kWh for 20 years, he will earn ¥1.6 million (around $16,000) annually while only making ¥100,000 (around $1,000) annually from farming.

Converted to Malaysian Ringgit, that would be about RM392,000 in installation cost. FiT rate is around RM1.308/kWh and he gets RM49,800 annually from this venture.

Reference and source: REW


TheGreenMechanics: Living in the countryside isn't a bad idea. I wouldn't mind spending my retirement years that way.

Mega solar plant in India to sell power at record-low rate: $0.089 per kWh

This is interesting as India is showing the world that solar PV power can be as cheap as one that is generated from finite sources.

India’s solar industry has announced ambitious plans to construct a 4 GW mega PV plant selling solar power at just $89 MWh – a record-low. This is an equivalent of 5.5 rupees per kWh (approx. 28.32 Malaysian sen per kWh).

That's about the current rate we are paying for electricity in Malaysia - SESB charges 33.5 sen/kWh and TNB charges 21.8 sen/kWh to 45.4 sen/kWh.



The state of Rajasthan has been identified as the location for the country's planned 4 GW solar plant. Photo: pv-magazine


India’s ultra-mega solar plant plan
Source: pv-magazine

The venture, which would more than double India’s current sun-powered capacity, is being driven by a consortium of six state-owned companies, which includes Power Grid Corp. (PWGR) of India Ltd., and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL).

The report states that the first gigawatt will be ready by the end of 2016, from which point it will begin selling solar power at just $89 MWh (5,500 rupees), which is 10 rupees cheaper than the current-lowest solar power bid, and approximately 32% below the global average.

The solar plant will be India’s first of such an ultra-mega magnitude, and will rival the nation’s 100 GW of planned coal-fired plants that are also in the offing.

This clean energy venture will receive unspecified government funding, while BHEL will own 26%. Bids are expected to be sought for a contractor to design and then build the plant. It is expected to be constructed on an 18,000-acre site near Sambhar Lake in the state of Rajasthan.

After the first gigawatt comes online in 2016, the remaining 3 GW will be put in place before 2020, which private companies may be invited to bid for.


TheGreenMechanics: Cool! That's the way to go!

Malacca to build first solar farm, RM46 million

Malacca is well on course to achieve its target to become a Green Technology City State in 2020. Last month the government kicked off the construction of the first state-owned solar farm in the country.  Hats off to the team!

Not to deny the effort of other conglomerates and the private sector, but Malacca has to be given credit for the initiative. It started it's green initiative long before the feed-in tariff structure was drawn out by SEDA. The other notable solar installation is Cypark's Pajam 8MW solar park in Negeri Sembilan.


Malacca solar farm quick facts

Plant capacity     : 5MWp, to be constructed in 3 phases:-

                        Phase 1: 1.3MW to be completed in December 2012
                        Phase 2: 1.22MW to be completed in January 2013
                        Phase 3: 2.48MW to be completed in February 2013

Investment           : RM46 million (US$14.8 mil)
Area                     : 7,248.43ha
Location               : Rembia Industrial Area
Tenure                 : 21 years REPPA with TNB

Estimated energy produced :

              Daily        - 17 MWh
              Monthly   - 514 MWh
              Annually  - 6,162 MWh

Example:
If the FIT rate is RM0.98 per kWh of energy produced, annual revenue based on the above estimated figure would be (6,162,000 x 0.98) = RM6.04 mil. So, yes, it is a viable investment and it create job opportunity for the people. Plus, there will be spin-off business activities, at lease in Malacca.

I am assuming that this production is based on solar irradiation of 3 to 3.5 hours a day, which is quite conservative, but perhaps taking into account rainy days as well. We understand that in Sabah the good sun irradiation period is longer.

Projected profit: RM73 million after 21 years

Chief Minister of Malacca, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (second from left), gestures as they look a sample of the solar panel at the launch of the solar farm at Melaka World Solar Valley. Photo: Mohd Khairul Helmy Mohd Din/NST



Malacca to build solar farm at Rembia Industrial Area
(NST, August 4, 2012)

ALOR GAJAH: THE Malacca government will be the first in the country to build and operate its own solar farm, costing RM46 million, in line with its mission to be a green technology city state by 2020.

The 5MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) solar farm will be built on a 7,248.43ha site at the Melaka World Solar Valley in the Rembia Industrial Area.

This will be done in three phases -- the first phase to produce 1.3MW will be completed in December, the second phase (1.22MW) will be ready by January next year and the final phase (2.48MW) in February. The project is being developed by Kumpulan Melaka Berhad (KMB), which is wholly owned by Chief Minister Incorporated.

The proposed solar farm to be build at Melaka Solar World Valley.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said all the power generated by the solar farm would be sold to Tenaga Nasional Berhad and the electricity would be channelled directly into the national power grid (NPG).

"The power harvested from sunlight will be channelled into the NPG in three phases obtained which will be on Dec 15, and Jan 15 and Feb 15 next year."

He also said the plant would be able to supply 17MW a day to the NPG. "In a month we will be able to sell 514MW to TNB and in a year, it will come up to 6,162MW.

"We expect that after servicing the RM41 million loan which we had taken from the Malaysia Debt Ventures Berhad (MDV), a company owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, we would be able to make a profit of RM73 million after 21 years."

Rustam said this after performing the groundbreaking for the plant and witnessing the signing of the agreement to finance the project between KMB and MDV at the Melaka World Solar Valley yesterday.

Present were Energy, Green Technology and Water Deputy Minister Datuk Noriah Kasnon and Sustainable Energy Development Authority chairman Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, who is also Alor Gajah MP. Mohd Ali said two more solar farms would be developed in Jasin and the Krubong landfill.

Japan solar creating $9.6 billion market?

With a 'very attractive' solar power tariff, Japan is poised to quickly overtake Germany and Italy to become the world's second-biggest market for solar power as incentives starting July 1 drive sales for equipment makers from Yingli Green Energy Holdings Co. to Kyocera Corp.

Solar electricity rate is about three times the rate of conventional power. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecast, that may spur at least $9.6 billion in new installations with 3.2 GW of capacity.

Image: freeworldmaps.net

While solar industry is suffering incentive cuts across Europe, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is making effort to cut dependence on atomic energy and as a result solar industry will benefit. Currently nuclear energy provides about 30% of Japan’s power requirement.

The high solar tariff rate is not without opposition though. Business lobbyists questioned the effectiveness of such a scheme whereby the high cost of electricity is shouldered by users.


Japan Power Tariff

Power utilities will pay ¥42 (US 53 cents) per kWh for 20 years to solar power producers, almost twice the rate in Germany, the world’s biggest market by installations. The ¥42 solar rate, targeted for 10-kW or bigger plants, is above the ¥38 price for 15 years the industry earlier expected.

Malaysia's rate is RM1.75 max. (US 55 cents), subject to usage of local products, installation size, and building-integration of installation. This is still higher than Japan and Germany.

In Germany, after the proposed subsidy cuts, it is planning to offer €0.135 to €0.195 (17 to 24.6 U.S. cents) per kWh, depending on size. Italy’s rate is €0.128 to €0.237. Analyst estimates that residential solar systems are being sold in Japan for $6.28/Watt, more than double the $2.70/Watt price in Germany.


Installed capacity

Last year, Japan ranked 6th worldwide by new installation when it added 1.3GW of solar to bring its installed capacity to 5GW. It is expected  nearly triple that amount, or 3.2GW to 4.7GW. Wist this huge investment, Japan will come second only to China and its solar capacity growth will surpass those of Italy and Germany.

1 GW is sufficient to supply about 243,000 homes in Japan.

In 2011, Japan got about 1.6% of its energy from renewables making it the smallest percentage among G-7 countries after Canada. Japan has got a lot of catching up to do, but with such an attractive solar tariff, it will be able to do that in a short span of time.


Green surcharge to consumers

As what is being practiced in other countries, Japanese consumers will help to fund the program by paying surcharges in their monthly electricity bills. The average surcharges is about ¥87 per household per month, lower than the earlier estimate of ¥100.

In Malaysia, only consumers with monthly energy usage of 350kWh and above are being levied with 1% of the total electricity bills, to fund the Feed-in Tariff program.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

We once had this 'Look East Policy' which refers to learning lesson from the industry standard of Japan. Let's see if we can benchmark our Renewable Energy Policy with what Japan is implementing. Our FIT model was largely drawn in comparison to Germany's subsidy model, and Germany is currently facing difficulty in sustaining such a highly subsidised renewable energy, particularly solar power.


Copyright 2012 Bloomberg - via Renewable Energy World.

Australia's A$450 million solar PV project

Australia will go ahead with a large-scale solar PV project in New South Wales state to be undertaken by solar panel manufacturing giant First Solar, and gas retailer AGL Energy.

One of First Solar's projects. Image: First Solar Inc.

Australian federal government awarded a $130 million grant to AGL Energy and First Solar to build the 159 MW grid connected solar power stations. The A$450million (US$446 mil) renewable energy project will be built at two sites - Broken Hill and Nyngan.

Brief description of the project


Locations : Broken Hill and Nyngan in New South Wales
Generating capacity: 159 MW
Electricity sufficient for: 30,000 homes
Cost : A$450 million
Completion : end-2015
Job created by the project: 150 jobs in Broken Hill & up to 300 in Nyngan


Sydney Morning Herald reported that Energy Minister Martin Ferguson reopened first-round bidding in February after the consortium behind the initial winner - the Moree Solar Farm - proposed major changes to its project and failed to meet a December deadline to secure financial backing.

Mr Ferguson on Saturday (June 9) said the 159 megawatt project in Broken Hill and Nyngan represented excellent value for money and would ensure Australia brought industrial-scale solar power to market. The energy minister said a rigorous assessment process by the independent Solar Flagships Council found the AGL-First Solar bid had the highest level of merit overall "representing value-for-money, low risk and high commercial viability".

"At the end of the day it all comes down to cost and if large scale solar is going to succeed in Australia it has to be cost competitive," Mr Ferguson said in a statement.

But he noted all short-listed applicants, including the Moree Solar Farm, TRUenergy and Infigen-Suntech bids, were of "high merit" and would be referred to the new Australian Renewable Energy Agency for future funding consideration.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents on Malaysian scenario

Great move by Australia. Remember this country is one of the major producers of the 'dirty' coal and in terms of consumption it is in the top ten countries.

Australia made the move to spend more in producing energy from cleaner source. They are focused towards becoming 'net user' compared to Malaysia which seems to be aiming at becoming major producer of the solar panel itself.

First Solar has solar PV manufacturing plant in Kedah, Malaysia but has since scaled back production due to deteriorating demand in European market. I think we should increase solar panel usage domestically rather than depending too much on export. Get the state governments to contribute to the FIT fund coffer and revise the quota for both individual and non-individual rooftop/solar farm installations.

Create domestic market for panels you produce locally. What message are you sending to the world when you produce a lot of panels but you yourself don't use them?

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/450m-solar-project-for-outback-nsw-20120609-202cd.html

7.5MW Solar Farm in Thailand

Sonnedix Group and First Solar have announced in February 2012 the completion of works on the Nakhon Ratchasima solar farm in the Khorat region of north eastern Thailand. The 7.5MW photovoltaic plant, based on First Solar's cadmium telluride (CdTe) modules, will meet the annual electricity needs of more than 5,100 homes.

Image: Sonnedix solar

A Buddhist inauguration ceremony at the power plant. Image: Sonnedix solar

The solar power plant, one of the biggest in Thailand (as in February 2012), was built by Sonnedix with support of Assyce Fotovoltaica and Ch. Karnchang Group using around 95,000 of First Solar's innovative CdTe thin-film solar modules.

Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm 

Sonnedix is a global solar power producer whose management has a track record of more than fifteen years in Asia. The project in Nakhon Ratchasima is its first to become operational in Thailand and is understood to serve as its strong base for developing and building utility-size solar farms and large rooftop solar power plants.

Covering around 20 hectares, the Nakhon Ratchasima Solar Farm can supply enough electricity to meet the annual needs of about 5,100 average Thai homes. It is expected to generate more than 10.5 GWh of clean, green electricity per year, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions of more than 6,500 tons a year.

The project in brief

Solar farm size/capacity: 7.5MWp (DC)
Farm area:                      Approx. 20 hectares
Approximate supply to:  5,100 average homes
Location:                        Nakhon Ratchasima province, Thailand
Solar modules:               cadmium telluride (CdTe), F280 from First Solar
Inverter:                          Ingecon 500 HE TL from Ingeteam
Transformers:                 Tirathai
Amount of CO2 emissions avoided: Approx. 6,500 tonnes/year 


Interesting Venture by Thai government

The completion of the solar farm shows the commitment of the Thai government in reducing fossil fuel dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. This project is also touted to have the smallest carbon footprint of any current PV technology. 

This is a combine effort and partnership of Sonnedix Group, First Solar and the Thai government. Another partner, a Spain-based Assyce who carried out the engineering, procurement and construction on the project showed that Thailand is prepared to work with foreign companies to speed up the growth of its Renewable Energy program.

What about Malaysia?

Where is Malaysia in terms of implementation of the solar PV works to generate solar energy? Compared to Thailand, we are 'crawling'. In terms of producing solar modules, we are currently the world's third, just behind Germany and China.

Is Malaysia intending to be the major producer/manufacturer of Solar PV modules but not generating solar energy itself?