DT Infrastructure (DTI) awards TCL Solar landmark 720MW Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Projects, accelerating the future of Back Contact solar technology

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL Solar is proud to announce it has been awarded the module supply contract by DT Infrastructure (DTI) for the delivery of Edify Energy's 720MW Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Stations in Central Queensland, Australia with installation expected to commence in early Q2 2027. The project will deploy TCL Solar Back Contact (BC) modules featuring module efficiencies of up to 24.2%, a 30-year performance warranty, and a 15-year product warranty.

At 720MWp, the Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Stations will together, become the largest solar project in the world to utilise back contact solar technology, marking a major milestone in the evolution of utility-scale solar power and reinforcing the growing confidence in BC technology for large-scale renewable energy infrastructure.

"This award represents a pivotal moment not only for TCL Solar, but for the future of back contact technology in utility-scale applications," said Frank Zhang, Director of SunPower Corporation Australia Pty Ltd. and President of International Business, Global Sales & Marketing Center, TCL Solar. "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."

"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," said Adam Farquer, Project Director at DT Infrastructure. "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."

Building on four decades of Back Contact innovation

Following the integration of SunPower into TCL's renewable energy portfolio in March 2025, forming TCL SunPower, the group now sells two solar module brands: TCL Solar and SunPower. Since 1985, SunPower has been recognized as the pioneer of back contact solar technology, developing some of the industry's most efficient and reliable solar products. The expertise now also continues through TCL Solar, bringing decades of research, intellectual property, and TCL 's manufacturing excellence to a new generation of solar projects.

Throughout its history, SunPower has demonstrated the scalability of back contact technology through some of the world's most notable solar developments. Among these projects was "Solar Star" in California, USA, a 579MW solar power station that became the world's largest operating solar farm upon completion in 2015. Built with approximately 1.7 million SunPower Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) panels across more than 13 square kilometres, Solar Star showcased the potential of high-efficiency back contact technology at a utility scale. Further demonstrating TCL SunPower's industry leadership, the Limondale Solar Farm in Australia was built with 349MW of SunPower Performance panels. When it became operational in 2021, Limondale was the largest solar farm in Australia. These projects helped establish the credibility of TCL SunPower and the Back Contact technology, paving the way for the next generation of utility-scale developments such as Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap.

Delivering transformational impact for Queensland

Located in Central Queensland, approximately 75km south of Rockhampton and 40km north of Biloela on the traditional lands of the Gaangalu Nation People, Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap are, together, one of Australia's most ambitious renewable energy projects.

Developed by Edify Energy, the Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Stations combine large-scale solar generation with advanced energy storage. Once operational, the project is expected to generate up to 1,589,000MWh of renewable energy annually. Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Solar Power Stations are supporting the decarbonisation of one of Australia's largest industrial energy users while strengthening Queensland's low-carbon energy future.

Discover more on www.tclsolar.com

About SunPower Corporation Australia Pty Ltd.

SunPower Corporation Australia Pty Ltd (TCL SunPower) is the Australian subsidiary of TCL Zhonghuan (TZE), the solar manufacturing division of TCL Group, a world-leading manufacturer of consumer electronics (#2 in TV Shipments) and white-goods, which reported USD 44.9 billion in revenue in 2024. Established in 2008, TCL SunPower is one of Australia's longest‑serving solar providers, supplying the Australian and Pacific markets with two leading module brands: TCL Solar and SunPower.

About TCL Zhonghuan

TCL Zhonghuan (TZE) is a Tier One global solar manufacturer and a technology leader across the photovoltaic value chain. Founded in 1958, the company has played a defining role in the development of the global PV industry, beginning monocrystalline silicon R&D in 1969. With full vertical integration from ingots and wafers through to modules, TZE became the world's #1 silicon wafer manufacturer in 2024, achieving 18.9% global production capacity share. Ongoing innovation is supported by over 4,600 solar‑specific patents, alongside advanced manufacturing capabilities. The acquisition of SunPower in 2025 and DAS Solar in 2026, further strengthens TZE's position in high‑efficiency Back Contact and premium solar technologies.

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DT Infrastructure (DTI) awards TCL Solar landmark 720MW Smoky Creek and Guthrie's Gap Projects, accelerating the future of Back Contact solar technology

XI'AN, China, July 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LONGi is strengthening its commitment to innovation in solar mobility by supporting two of the world's leading solar racing teams at the 2026 Elektrek American Solar Challenge (ASC), one of North America's premier solar-powered endurance competitions. This year's ASC takes competitors from Minnesota to Texas, with much of the route following the historic Route 66 corridor.

Taking place from July 25 to August 1, the ASC challenges teams to cover the greatest cumulative distance over eight days, rather than compete for outright speed. As they traverse diverse climate zones and complex terrain, teams must continuously optimize energy management and strategic decision-making throughout the endurance challenge.

For LONGi, the competition serves as more than a race — it is a real-world platform for validating and advancing next-generation photovoltaic technologies.

Expanding Partnerships with Two of the World's Leading Solar Racing Teams

Following its collaboration with Belgium's Innoptus Solar Team at the 2025 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge (BWSC), LONGi has further strengthened its technical collaboration within the global solar racing community.

For the 2026 season, LONGi is partnering with both Belgium's Innoptus Solar Team and the Netherlands' Delft Solar Team. Both teams ranked among the top three at the 2025 BWSC and represent the only two European teams competing in this year's Elektrek American Solar Challenge.

The expanded collaboration reflects LONGi's continued commitment to working alongside global innovators to explore the potential of photovoltaic technology through real-world engineering challenges.

High-Efficiency BC Technology at the Core

Solar racing represents one of the most challenging applications for photovoltaic technology. With extremely limited surface area available on the vehicle, every solar cell must achieve maximum conversion efficiency while maintaining reliability under dynamic operating conditions, curved vehicle surfaces, temperature variations, and long-distance endurance challenges.

To meet these requirements, LONGi provides tailored BC (Back Contact) technology solutions for both teams.

Innoptus Solar Team is equipped with LONGi's customized high-efficiency BC flexible modules, specifically designed for the curved surfaces and lightweight architecture of solar race cars. Meanwhile, Delft Solar Team integrates LONGi's high-efficiency BC solar cell strings into its vehicle's energy system.

As the vehicle's sole direct energy source, the photovoltaic system determines how effectively sunlight can be converted into usable power. High conversion efficiency, lightweight design, and operational reliability provide the foundation for innovations in aerodynamics, energy management, and vehicle control.

Technology, Strategy and Teamwork: Making Peak Performance Possible

Achieving peak performance in the Elektrek American Solar Challenge requires more than advanced photovoltaic technology alone. As the foundation of every solar race car, high-efficiency PV technology determines how much energy the vehicle can capture from sunlight and directly influences the power available throughout the journey.

Beyond the photovoltaic system, teams must continuously balance energy management, route strategy, and driving decisions based on changing sunlight conditions, weather patterns, and terrain. Every choice plays a role in maximizing the vehicle's potential and extending its range throughout the eight-day challenge.

Peak performance is also made possible through close collaboration between drivers, engineers, and technology partners. By combining technical expertise, strategic thinking, and teamwork, these collaborations transform innovative concepts into real-world performance.

Through its partnerships with leading solar racing teams, LONGi continues to explore the possibilities of high-efficiency photovoltaic technology in demanding environments, gaining valuable insights that help advance future solar applications.

Driving Innovation Beyond the Race

LONGi's partnerships with leading solar racing teams are built on technical collaboration and co-creation rather than sponsorship alone.

The company views solar motorsport as an innovation platform where advanced photovoltaic technologies can be validated, refined, and further developed under real operating conditions.  technology innovation, combining expertise across industries to accelerate breakthroughs in photovoltaic performance.

The value of these partnerships extends beyond the race itself. By working together with engineers, researchers, and innovators around the world, LONGi aims not only to provide advanced solar technologies, but also to foster an open innovation ecosystem where collective insights and collaboration help expand the boundaries of what solar energy can achieve.

As the global energy system evolves toward a more sustainable and integrated future, LONGi remains committed to advancing photovoltaic innovation, strengthening collaboration across the energy ecosystem, and unlocking new possibilities for a cleaner energy transition.

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LONGi BC Technology Powers Two World-Leading Solar Racing Teams at the 2026 Elektrek American Solar Challenge