The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is backing Equans Solar & Storage with AU$25 million in funding to trial a range of innovative technologies aimed at driving down the cost of constructing and operating large-scale solar projects across Australia.
The three-year initiative, known as the Lightspeed project, will test up to 10 emerging technologies across five operational areas: civil works, mechanical works, electrical works, operations and maintenance, and digital coordination.
The initiative aims to lower the levelised cost of energy for solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and improve overall construction productivity.
The first innovation slated for testing is the Nextpower Ranger, an autonomous inspection robot. The trial will mark the Ranger’s first deployment at an Australian solar farm, providing real-world performance data to build broader commercial confidence.
Other technologies targeted for evaluation include construction robotics and automated piling systems designed to streamline labour-intensive activities.
ARENA CEO Darren Miller noted that as Australia expands its renewable energy capacity to meet net zero targets, portfolio-style innovation initiatives will be essential to accelerate technology adoption.
“By supporting the trial of multiple innovation projects under a single funding portfolio we can test technologies more quickly in real-world environments and at a greater scale,” Miller said.
“This approach allows promising innovations to move from concept to real-world deployment faster, while ensuring lessons learned can be shared across the industry.”
The project model builds upon learnings from Fortescue’s Pilbara Solar Innovation Hub, which previously tested autonomous piling systems at the Cloudbreak Solar Farm in remote Western Australia.
Equans Solar & Storage Innovation and Development Director Benoit Froidurot noted that robotics supported by artificial intelligence and digital tools will play a crucial role in managing grid integration constraints and supporting rapid sector growth.
Froidurot added that the Lightspeed project offers a major opportunity to pioneer automated systems for site construction and operations across Australia’s expanding solar network.
