Photovoltaic Plant

Clare

Clare, Queensland / Australia

Summary

Located approximately 35 kilometres (km) from the township of Ayr in North Queensland, Clare Solar Farm is the first utility-scale solar generation facility in Australia to secure financing purely on the basis of a commercial Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) without any additional government grant funding.

FRV signed the PPA in 2016 with Australian energy company, Origin Energy, for 100 percent of the electricity and all of the large scale renewable generation certificates (LGCs) generated by the facility.

Construction commenced in 2016 and in 2017 FRV signed an agreement with a consortium consisting of Lighthouse Infrastructure and DIF for the sale of the solar plant, which continues to be operated and maintained by FRV.
The 125 MW dc solar plant started generating its first kWh in 2018 and has been operating ever since being connected to the grid via the Clare South substation immediately adjacent to the solar farm site.

Overview

125 MW DC
Peak Power
Clare, Queensland / Australia
Location
263 100 MWH/year
Annual production
300 Hectares
Surface
181 000 t/year
CO2 Avoided
45 000
Households supplied
2017
Operation date
In operation
Project status
1 / 3

Community value

Clare Solar Farm project created up to 200 direct local jobs during the construction phase and a small number of jobs during operation. The project provided opportunity for local workers to participate in the civil and/or electrical works associated with construction, as well as indirect opportunities for a range of local businesses, contractors and suppliers – e.g. accommodation providers, fuel supply, groceries and restaurants.