First Solar Breaks Ground on 102 MW Nyngan Solar Project

First Solar began construction of Australia’s largest utility-scale solar project, a 250 hectare solar plant in Nyngan, New South Wales (NSW). Less than six months after AGL Energy Limited achieved financial close for project, First Solar broke ground on the installation of approximately 1,350,000 advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Expected to be completed in mid-2015, the project will produce 102 MWAC – enough electricity to power more than 33,000 average NSW homes. The solar energy supplied will abate more than 203,000 tons of carbon dioxide every year, the equivalent of taking more than 53,000 cars off Australia’s roads.

“Breaking ground at the Nyngan solar project is a significant milestone for the advancement of Australia’s utility-scale solar industry,” said Jack Curtis, First Solar’s vice president of business development for Asia Pacific. “Each project that First Solar constructs builds acceptance of and confidence in utility-scale solar as an effective source of power generation in Australia. As the Nyngan project develops, we look forward to seeing its impact, not only in generating important local job opportunities, but also in strengthening the solar industry’s position within Australia’s energy mix.”