Array Technologies has entered an agreement to supply nearly 1 GW of DuraTrack HZ v3 single-axis solar trackers for the Gemini solar project, which is expected to be the largest operational solar + storage site in the United States, according to Oakland, California-based developer Primergy Solar.
The project will store over 1.4 GWh of solar power and is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Kiewit Power Constructors is serving as the engineering, procurement and construction firm on the project.
“As solar energy accounts for an increasing portion of the world’s electricity supply, energy storage will play a crucial role in optimizing renewables and ensuring power is available during periods of peak demand,” said Travis Rose, chief revenue officer at Array Technologies. “Project Gemini is historic for its size and scale, and we are well-positioned to optimize it for maximum energy generation while limiting installation time, LCOE and maintenance requirements.”
Array’s trackers are scheduled to begin deliveries in Q2 2022 with project completion planned for the end of 2023. The project site will be located on Bureau of Land Management land in Overton, Nevada, 30 miles Northeast of Las Vegas. It will supply power to Nevada Energy, a public utility that generates, transmits and distributes electric service in northern and southern Nevada.
“Kiewit is excited to bring our extensive EPC experience and capabilities to the Gemini solar project, which will feature Array’s innovative solar tracking technology,” said Chris Turnbull, president of Kiewit Power Constructors. “Gemini is a landmark project that will have a lasting impact on the availability of renewable energy sources in Nevada.”
News item from Array Technologies
Solarman says
“The project will store over 1.4 GWh of solar power and is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Kiewit Power Constructors is serving as the engineering, procurement and construction firm on the project.”
From the above statement, 1.4GWh of energy storage and a 1GWp solar array would be implied. In the Nevada desert with longer sun hours of average solar PV harvest, this could be designed for more than 1GWp. Right here we have seen articles on Longi, and Trina Solar for HJT and TOPcon solar PV panels that can absorb 25% of the light. There is still the loop hole that bifacial solar PV panels are not under the 201 tariffs. About 2.25 (million) solar PV panels for this project, changing out the typical mono facial solar PV panel for a bifacial TOPcon at around 500 watts per panel, would bring around 1.13GWp and then add another 10% bifacial backside solar PV harvest and you could get, 1.24GWp. The actual EPC design may or may not have considered bifacial or high efficiency panels. Typically, with single axis tracking from East to West, one can expect (on average) extended sun hours each day. In Winter one would statistically have 8 hours of sun harvest each day and in Summer one would have statistically 12 hours of sun harvest each day. Using bifacial panels would allow 9.92GWh a day in Winter and 14.88GWh of generation in the Summer. That energy storage should be in the 3 to 4GWh range with this kind of generation potential.