Aust solar farms to deploy Canadian anti-hail tech

Australian energy retailer Flow Power is teaming up with Canadian Solar to deploy the latter’s anti-hail modules on Australian solar and storage projects.

The first Flow Power project to use the new anti-hail technology will be a solar farm paired with a DC-coupled battery energy storage system (BESS) in South Australia’s Coonawarra wine region. It is expected to be the first of many sites where Flow Power collaborates with Canadian Solar’s Australian subsidiary to install the protective technology across the country.

Canadian Solar said its anti-hail technology had been developed through extensive testing to help safeguard solar panels from severe weather, including hailstorms. The company focuses on providing durable, high-performance solutions for renewable energy projects in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Image courtesy of Canadian Solar.

Tom Harrison, Flow Power’s General Manager Energy Projects, said the Flow Power team was excited to be using Canadian Solar’s TOPCon anti-hail panels in upcoming energy projects.

“At Flow Power, we are committed to innovation, and we always work to make each new project better than the last. That includes building smarter, more resilient energy solutions, and the Coonawarra Energy Project is a testament to that mission,” Harrison said.

“By integrating anti-hail technology into our solar farms, we are not only enhancing the durability of our assets, but also ensuring greater reliability for our customers, even in extreme weather conditions.”

“We are proud to partner with Flow Power to bring our advanced anti-hail solar panels to Australian energy projects,” said Dr Shawn Qu, Chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar.

“This first project highlights our commitment to providing innovative solutions that enhance the durability and performance of solar energy systems in Australia.”

The first phase of the Coonawarra Energy Project will begin in 2025, with solar modules set to be installed in the coming months.

Top image credit: iStock.com/BitsAndSplits