GE Energy, Verve Energy open Australia’s largest solar farm

The 10MW Greenough River Solar Farm has been opened near Geraldton in Western Australia (WA), with the capacity to power 3,000 homes and cut down greenhouse gases.

This large-scale photovoltaic solar project is 50% owned by GE energy Financial Services, the rest being under the ownership of WA power utility Verve Energy.

About A$20m ($20.55) was provided by the WA Government, including A$10m ($10.27m) from the WA Royalties for Regions program to develop the project.

WA Water Corporation will utilize the solar farm’s output to power the Southern Seawater Desalination Plant.

American PV systems provider First Solar has supplied more than 150,000 advanced thin film PV modules for the plant as well as engineering and construction services.

The company will operate and maintain the project for the next 15 years.

Verve Energy CEO Jason Waters stated, "As the largest photovoltaic solar plant in operation in Australia, the Greenough River Solar Farm demonstrates that renewable technologies can contribute to meeting Australia’s future energy needs on a sustainable, cost-competitive basis."

GE Energy Financial Services MD Matt O’Connor said, "We see incredible investment opportunities in Australia and look forward to expanding on this successful project and applying our expertise to help the country’s renewable energy market grow."

First Solar chief financial officer Mark Widmar further added, "This landmark project provides a strong foundation for the long-term adoption of large-scale solar projects in the Australian power market."