Areva Solar
| Company type | Subsidiary of Areva |
|---|---|
| Industry | Solar energy |
| Predecessor | Ausra Inc. |
| Founded | 2007 originally as Ausra Inc. |
| Founder | Dr. David Mills, Prof. Graham Morrison, Peter Le Lievre |
| Headquarters | , United States |
Key people | Sam Shakir (CEO) |
| Products | CSP technology |
| Services | Design, manufacture and installation of solar steam generators |
Number of employees | 120 |
| Parent | Areva |
| Website | www |
Areva Solar operated as a segment of the French nuclear corporation Areva's renewable energy division, based in Mountain View, California, with activities spanning the United States and Australia. The company focused on the engineering, production, and deployment of solar steam generation systems intended for electricity production and industrial steam uses. Prior to 2010, it was known as Ausra Inc. In August 2014, AREVA announced the discontinuation of Areva Solar following strategic changes triggered by the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear incident.
History
Ausra's origins trace back to 2002 when it was established as Solar Heat and Power Pty Ltd in Sydney, Australia, founded by Dr. David Mills, Professor Graham Morrison, and Peter Le Lievre. The firm developed a pilot solar facility with a capacity of 1MW at Liddell Power Station in 2005, which was subsequently expanded to 5MW by 2006. This initiative was later renamed the "John Marcheff Solar Project" under the ownership of Macquarie Generation.
In 2007, the enterprise shifted its headquarters to the United States and adopted the name Ausra. By July 2008, it had inaugurated a 130,000 square-foot manufacturing facility dedicated to solar thermal technologies in Las Vegas—the first such plant in the US—concentrating on concentrated solar power (CSP) solutions.
The economic downturn during 2008–09 compelled Ausra to downsize its staff by about 10% and pivot its strategy from constructing entire power plants to supplying solar equipment to other firms. In October 2008, Ausra successfully commissioned the 5 MW Kimberlina Solar Thermal Energy Plant located in Bakersfield, California. Nonetheless, plans for a substantially larger 177 MW Carrizo Energy Solar Farm were abandoned in November 2009.
Confronted with financial limitations in scaling its capital-heavy solar technology, Ausra pursued acquisition opportunities and was acquired by Areva in February 2010, thereafter operating under the name Areva Solar. Despite initial optimism regarding growth under Areva’s stewardship, the subsidiary ceased operations in August 2014 due to industry difficulties and a shift in corporate strategy.
Organization
As part of Areva's renewable energy division, Areva Solar functioned alongside three other units within this business group and maintained its headquarters in Mountain View, California. Leadership included Sam Shakir as CEO from 2012 onward; he succeeded Bill Gallo who had taken over from Dr. Robert Fishman in 2011. Fishman himself had replaced founding CEO Peter Le Lievre in 2007.
Technology
Areva Solar specialized in concentrated solar power (CSP) systems with a focus on Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR) technology. This CSP approach employs flat mirrors mounted on single-axis trackers that reflect sunlight onto stationary pipe receivers where water is heated to produce steam for power generation. Compared to parabolic mirror systems, CLFR designs offer advantages such as lower costs and improved land use efficiency, enhancing their competitiveness within the solar energy sector.
Projects
Areva Solar strengthened its footprint in the market by undertaking pivotal projects centered on CSP technology innovation and integration.
The Kimberlina solar facility, located in Bakersfield, California, commenced operation in October 2008 as the first CLFR plant in North America. With a generation capacity of 5 MW, it provided electricity to roughly 3,500 households, representing a key achievement in Areva Solar’s expansion.
In Australia, Areva Solar collaborated with CS Energy to add a 44-MW solar thermal component to the existing 750-MW Kogan Creek Power Station. This initiative, supported by government subsidies, sought to boost the efficiency of coal-based power production while lowering emissions by an estimated 35,600 metric tons annually. Nonetheless, the project was only partially realized before its termination in 2016.
In April 2012, Areva Solar won a contract to construct Asia’s largest CSP facility in Rajasthan, India, managed by Reliance Power Limited. The 100 MW CLFR plant was commissioned in 2014, broadening Areva Solar’s international reach and solidifying its presence in emerging markets.