Cloncurry Solar Farm

A solar thermal power station was to be built in Cloncurry, in north-west Queensland. The solar thermal power station was planned have a capacity of 10-megawatt and deliver about 30 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to power the whole town.It was reported in November 2010 that the project was scrapped because of light pollution concerns.However, as of 2 December 2011 Ingenero Pty Ltd have been named preferred developer to install a 2.128MW photovoltaic solar system, installation is expected to commence in July 2012.On 24 May 2012 the recently elected Newman government announced the withdrawal of state funds for the project. In a statement the Minister for Energy Mark McArdle described the reason for the scrapping as 'saving the taxpayer's money'.ProjectThe total cost of the project is A$31 million including a A$7 million gift from the government. The plant was supposed to be running by early 2010.On 16 November 2010, Lloyd Energy Systems advised the government to not proceed further at the current location. The cancellation of the project is due to reflective glare issues which have raised concerns about operating in an urban environment and potential impacts on community health. The government decided to invest the remaining $5.7 million from the project towards a photovoltaic solar farm for the area.Heat storageThe design is a common solar power tower design. An array of motorised heliostat mirrors reflects sunlight to the summit of a tower. The summit houses a receiver, which is heated by the concentrated sunlight. A total of 54 towers of 18 m (59 ft) high will be constructed.