Solar farm for WA

First Solar has announced that construction has commenced on the 10 MW AC Greenough River Solar Farm, located 50 km south of Geraldton. Once completed, the solar farm will be the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) project in Australia and will bring significant investment to the local community through a partnership with local civil contractor WBHO Civil – the company awarded the Phase 1 construction contract for the project.

The construction program is scheduled to take place over a period of approximately nine months. Following civil work, which commenced on Friday 4 November, the project will progress to on-site construction of structural supports and the completion of above-ground electrical works. The installation of First Solar PV modules is anticipated to begin in March 2012, with the solar farm expected to be fully operational by mid-2012.

Western Australian state-owned power utility Verve Energy and GE Energy Financial Services each own 50% of the Greenough River Solar Farm, with the WA Government providing $20 million including $10 million from the WA Royalties for Regions program.

First Solar will supply the project with over 150,000 of its advanced thin film PV modules and provide engineering, procurement and construction services. Through the partnership with local contractor WBHO Civil, and in the sourcing of local products, the project is expected to generate millions of dollars for the City of Greater Geraldton’s economy. Up to 150 people will be on-site at any one time throughout the construction phase, with jobs lasting for up to nine months.

“First Solar aims to maximise local hiring and enable the project to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to regional communities,” said Jack Curtis, Vice President, Business Development & Sales for First Solar. “We are also building our in-country supply chain network by procuring as many materials as possible from local suppliers at all stages of the construction process.

“Increased localisation is critical to the development of a sustainable large-scale solar industry in Australia. Developing a local capability to install utility-scale solar projects, together with stable government policy, will greatly improve the industry’s long-term outlook,” Curtis added.

WBHO Civil will play a pivotal role in providing site preparation services, underground electrical services and civil works.