Australia's largest solar power project reaches milestone

The Greenough River Solar Farm in Western Australia moves closer to completion.

The installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels this week marks a key milestone in the construction of Australia’s largest solar farm. Workers are now installing the first of some 150,000 PV modules. The solar farm is to be completed by the middle of this year.

First Solar, Inc., the project’s American contractor and technology provider, is supplying its advanced thin film PV modules and engineering, procurement and construction services. In addition, the company will provide operations and maintenance support once the solar farm is operational.

Construction of the 10 megawatt solar farm 50 kilometers south of the city of Geraldton (400 km north of Perth) began four months ago. Above-ground electrical work has been completed and structural supports installed.

"The demonstration of this proven technology in WA on a commercial scale should encourage the development of larger projects and reduce renewable energy costs in the medium to long term," said Peter Collier, Energy Minister for Western Australia.

First Solar uses cadmium telluride as a semiconductor to produce panels that are less expensive than those manufactured from crystalline silicon.