Manildra Solar Farm

Project Overview

The Manildra Solar Farm occupies 120 hectares of land approximately 1 km east of Manildra in New South Wales (NSW), Australia and provides significant economic and environmental benefits, in addition to creating direct and indirect jobs and developing skills in a growing industry, and supporting small businesses.

Approximately 466,000 First Solar thin film photovoltaic (PV) modules power the 48.5 megawatt (MW) project and will produce enough solar energy to serve the needs of approximately 14,000 average NSW homes. This will displace more than 91,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year – the equivalent of taking about 24,000 cars off the road. 

The Manildra 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.

Project Benefits

Enough to power 14,000 average homes

• Displaces 91,000 tons of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to taking 24,000 cars off the road
• Lowest environmental impact of any PV technology
• No water used for electricity generation
• Significant economic and environmental benefits for regional NSW

Environmental Benefits

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.

Project Status 

March update:

The Manildra project achieved a major milestone in March with completion of the bulk earthworks. The balance of activities within the arrays including piling, tracker, module and DC cabling installation is progressing to schedule and the connection to the Manildra zone substation is completed with exception of final cable termination. Installation of major equipment is now complete with underground AC cabling between the equipment and substation installed. The project has moved into the testing and commissioning phase as cables and equipment are run though the pre-commissioning checks prior to energisation. Aligning with the phased handover and energisation a number of arrays are mechanically complete and undergoing testing.

Community Fund

The project, through its Community Engagement Plan, is committed to reinvesting in the local community through the Manildra 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.

The first recipients of the Manildra Solar Farm Community Fund have been awarded. The next opportunity to apply will commence in June. The details including the application period will be published shortly.