First Solar begins panel installation on 10MW solar plant in Australia

First Solar has begun installation of 150,000 solar panels at the planned 10MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located 50km south of Geraldton in Australia.

The Greenough River Solar Farm plant secured A$20m ($20.7m) in funding from the Western Australian (WA) government, including A$10m ($10.3m) from the WA Royalties for Regions programme.

Western Australia Energy Minister Peter Collier said "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."

The project is being built by joint owners Verve Energy and GE unit GE Energy Financial Services.
First Solar vice president, Business Development & Sales Jack Curtis said "When in operation, First Solar’s panels produce electricity with no water use, no waste production and no CO2 emissions."
First Solar will also engineer, procure and construct, operate and maintain the solar farm once it is operational later this year.

Construction on the solar plant began four months ago, above-ground electrical work and structural supports have been completed.
The WA Water Corporation will purchase 100% of the solar power generated from the project.
Verve Energy is a generator of electricity in Western Australia.

First Solar manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV system solutions.