First Solar announced it has closed the deal to deliver 48.5 MW AC solar project at Manildra Solar Farm in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
The project will utilize approximately 466,000 First Solar thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules and single-axis tracking technology expected to produce more than 120,000 megawatt-hours of electricity in its first year of operation.
The Manildra Solar Farm will take First Solar’s installed capacity in Australia to more than 400MWAC when it is complete in 2018.
First Solar has entered into a 13-year power purchase agreement with EnergyAustralia for the generated electricity and large-scale generation certificates.
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the ability and experience of First Solar’s development and delivery team, and we congratulate ARENA and EnergyAustralia on their commitment to commercially viable projects,” said Jack Curtis, First Solar’s regional manager of Asia Pacific.
“We have witnessed unprecedented cost reductions in large-scale solar in recent years. As the appetite for this asset class continues to grow, timely and reliable project delivery will be the strongest driver of future cost reductions, cementing solar as a competitive energy source in Australia,” Curtis said.
RCR O’Donnell Griffin has been appointed as the contractor for engineering, procurement and construction of the project. Construction is scheduled to commence in the first half of 2017.
Once complete, the project is expected to produce enough solar energy to serve the needs of approximately 14,000 average NSW homes and displace more than 91,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year – the equivalent of taking about 24,000 cars off the road.