Greenough River Solar Farm

Project Overview

Situated on 80 hectares of private land approximately 50km southeast of Geraldton in Western Australia (WA), sits the Greenough River Solar Farm, the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) project in Australia. Ten times larger than any other operating solar power plant in the country, the project highlights the immense potential of utility-scale solar to assist Australia in transitioning to a renewable energy future.

Verve Energy, the leading generator of electricity in WA, and GE Energy Financial Services each own 50 percent of the solar farm. The project is funded with 100% equity, with the WA Government providing A$20 million, including A$10 million from the WA Royalties for Regions program.

In addition to supplying the solar modules for the project, First Solar provided the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, as well as operations and maintenance (O&M) support. Local contractor, WBHO Civil, played a pivotal role in providing site preparation services, underground electrical services, and civil works, generating millions of dollars for the City of Greater Geraldton. The project created jobs for about 100 people at construction peak and is the impetus for other solar farms in Australia and helping to drive down the cost of solar energy.

Project Benefits

The 10 megawatt (MW) alternating current (AC) project which is powered by more than 150,000 First Solar advanced thin film PV modules will displace over 20,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per year, the equivalent of taking over 4,000 cars off the road annually. The Water Corporation which is the State’s primary supplier of water, wastewater, and drainage services, will purchase the power generated by the solar farm to offset the energy requirements of its desalination plant south of Perth.