Solar firm 5B has been appointed as the solar technology provider for a 16MWp solar system that will form part of a 95MW hybrid power station that Zenith Energy is constructing on a build, own, operate basis for Liontown Resources’ Kathleen Valley Lithium Project. It is expected to become the largest off-grid renewable energy hybrid power station in Australia.
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5B was an integral part of the Zenith Energy bid and was awarded the contract based on the rapid rollout and safety advantages of its system.
Zenith Energy managing director and CEO Hamish Moffat said, “5B has demonstrated that it has the potential to get the Kathleen Valley site to full solar PV generation capacity three months ahead of conventional single access tracker solutions with the potential to save more than 60% of the man hours required on site. This is creating a faster pathway to market for solar PV renewable energy generation assets.”
5B deputy CEO Nicole Kuepper-Russell said, “It is great to see a green field mining operation incorporating renewable energy from the outset. We are incredibly fortunate to have Zenith Energy as an integration partner who is leveraging the prefabrication and rapid deployment of our solar technology to help mining companies and heavy industry transition to clean energy.”
Zenith Energy will begin deploying the 342 5B Maverick array systems in June 2023. When complete, the solar farm will occupy a land area equivalent to 17 NRL football fields and generate enough to power 4,000 homes.
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Kathleen Valley Lithium Project is a Tier-1 battery metals asset located 680km north-east of Perth in Western Australia. First product is planned for mid-2024 and, on start-up, the project will operate on 60% renewable power supply generated through wind and solar coupled to a battery storage system.
