NextSource Materials Inc (TSX:NEXT), a Toronto-based battery materials development company, announced on Thursday the completion of a 2.6-MW solar farm at its Molo Graphite mine in Madagascar.
The solar farm is part of a solar hybrid plant, which also includes 3.1 MW of diesel generators, installed prior to mine commissioning, and a 1-MWh battery energy storage system, which is expected to be delivered at the site in the next weeks. The hybrid plant is owned and operated by CrossBoundary Energy.
The solar farm, built by CrossBoundary Energy, consists of 4,902 photovoltaic (PV) panels installed on ballasted mounting systems. It is expected to generate about 4 GWh per year.
The hybrid project is expected to generate 33% of the mine’s power requirements from renewable energy. During peak daylight hours, the solar facility and battery system will be capable of fulfilling up to 100% of the plant’s power needs. NextSource and CrossBoundary Energy are looking at further renewable generation, which may include expanding the solar farm and potentially incorporating wind turbines.
Work is currently underway on interconnections between the solar farm with the mine.
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