World’s biggest back contact solar project to rise in Central Queensland
TCL Solar has secured a contract from DT Infrastructure (DTI) to supply solar modules for Edify Energy’s 720 MW Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations in Central Queensland, Australia.
The company will supply its Back Contact (BC) solar modules for the projects, with installation scheduled to begin in early Q2 2027. The modules feature efficiencies of up to 24.2%, a 30-year performance warranty and a 15-year product warranty.
According to TCL Solar, the combined 720 MWp capacity will make Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap the world’s largest solar project to deploy back contact solar technology.
Commenting on the contract, Frank Zhang, Director of SunPower Corporation Australia Pty Ltd. and President of International Business, Global Sales & Marketing Center, TCL Solar, said, “This award represents a pivotal moment not only for TCL Solar, but for the future of back contact technology in utility-scale applications. It demonstrates that BC technology has evolved beyond premium residential markets and is now ready to deliver unparalleled value at the largest scales of solar deployment. As Director of SunPower Corporation Australia, we are fully committed to DT Infrastructure, supported by our Australian professional team with extensive experience. Established since 2008, the TCL SunPower Australian office, has been the longest solar provider in Australia. Our local team, in hand with TCL Zhonghuan’s HQ support, will ensure on-time delivery and smooth project execution.”
Adam Farquer, Project Director at DT Infrastructure, said, “Projects of this scale are built on collaboration. We’re proud to partner with TCL Solar to deliver the module supply for the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Station and look forward to working together to deliver a safe, high-quality outcome. The project not only represents a major investment in Australia’s renewable energy future but also provides an opportunity to deploy innovative back contact technology at utility scale.”
Technology
The contract follows the integration of SunPower into TCL’s renewable energy business in March 2025, resulting in the formation of TCL SunPower. The group now markets solar modules under the TCL Solar and SunPower brands.
SunPower has been developing back contact solar technology since 1985. According to the company, its technology has previously been deployed in several large-scale solar projects, including the 579 MW Solar Star project in California, which became the world’s largest operating solar farm when completed in 2015. The project was built using around 1.7 million SunPower Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) solar panels across more than 13 sq km.
The company also supplied 349 MW of SunPower Performance panels for the Limondale Solar Farm in Australia, which became the country’s largest operational solar farm when it commenced operations in 2021.
Project
Developed by Edify Energy, the Smoky Creek and Guthrie’s Gap Solar Power Stations are located in Central Queensland, about 75 km south of Rockhampton and 40 km north of Biloela on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu Nation People.
The projects combine utility-scale solar generation with energy storage systems and are expected to generate up to 1,589,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually after commissioning. According to the developer, the projects are intended to support the decarbonisation of one of Australia’s largest industrial energy users while strengthening Queensland’s low-carbon electricity system.
Photo credit: TCL Solar
