Beryl Solar Farm

Project Overview

The Beryl Solar Farm is located approximately five kilometers west of Gulgong, NSW and will provide significant economic and environmental benefits, in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs and developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses.

The 87 megawatt (MW) project will produce enough solar energy to serve the needs of approximately 25,000 average NSW homes. This will displace more than 153,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per year — the equivalent of taking about 41,000 cars off the road.

First Solar is committed to the communities in which it operates and will strive to minimise environmental impact while maximising clean energy output. When in operation, our systems generate electricity with no water use, no air emissions, and no waste production, with the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available.

The Beryl Solar Farm supports Australia in its efforts toward providing 23.5 per cent of its energy from renewable resources by 2020, while further establishing regional NSW as a leader in renewable energy. Construction of the project has been completed in June 2019.

Project Benefits

Enough to power 25,000 average homes

• Displaces 153,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually—equivalent to taking 41,000 cars off the road

• No water used for electricity generation

• Significant economic and environmental benefits for regional NSW

Community Commitment 

First Solar is committed to the communities in which it operates, including the Mid-Western Region. We will continue to engage neighbors, community groups, environmental groups and business organisations to ensure that Beryl Solar Farm remains a valued and respected member of community.

The Beryl Solar Farm will support the local and regional economy by creating direct and indirect jobs, developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses. It will generate approximately 150 construction jobs as well as ongoing full time positions. 

The project, through its Community Engagement Plan, is committed to reinvesting in the local community through the Beryl Solar Farm community fund, a managed development fund supporting community based initiatives, projects and events that target a range of community needs including environment, education, youth, social, culture, sport, recreation and economic development.

Development Approval

First Solar received planning approval for the Beryl Solar Farm on the December 5 2017.

Full details regarding the determination is available to view on the Planning Assessments Commission’s website: http://www.pac.nsw.gov.au/projects/2017/10/beryl-solar-farm

Project Construction Updates

With the construction essentially complete in May, the projects focus through June was on commissioning an performance testing. Power quality and plant performance testing progressed well with the project advancing through the testing stages in under a month, achieving full output in mid-May. Demobilisation continued with the last of the construction resources and temporary facilities removed in the first week of June. The project's EPC Contractor completed construction at the end of June, with minor remediation works to continue over the coming months.

Commencement of plant operations saw First Solar O&M Energy Services assuming responsibility for the day to day management of the facility.

Community Update 

Beryl Solar Farm is committed to reinvesting in the local community through the Beryl Solar Farm Community Fund. The program has funded two community-based initiatives:

• The training of teachers in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program carried out by Australian Schools Plus at the Gulgong High School

• The installation of a shelter and raised garden bed at Wenonah Community Care, providing a communal outdoor space for social club members

Environment

First Solar projects strive to minimise environmental impact while maximising clean energy output. When in operation, our systems generate electricity with no water use, no air emissions, and no waste production, with the smallest carbon footprint of any PV technology available.

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