FAQs – Griffith Solar Farm

Solar

How long does it take to build a solar farm?

Construction of the Griffith solar farm began in January 2017 and it commenced full scale operations on 16 April 2018.

What technology does Neoen use to build its solar farms?

Neoen uses similar technology to that used in residential solar photovoltaic installations with the main difference being that solar farm panels are usually mounted on systems that track the sun through the sky. Griffith Solar Farm uses premium quality solar panels and other technologies provided by leading manufacturers.

What is the life cycle of a solar farm?

The Griffith solar farm will operate for between 25 and 30 years. Depending on the local environment, the panels can generate electricity for 30 years or more with only about 0.5% efficiency loss each year.

How does solar generation work?

When light shines on a solar panel the light’s photons knock electrons free from the material within the solar panel producing electricity. A inverter transforms the electricity generated from the solar panels from direct current (DC) electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity. This AC electricity is transmitted to a substation through medium voltage underground cables where it is distributed to the grid. The amount of energy generated is determined by the intensity and angle of the light hitting the solar panels. This is why the solar farm uses a tracking systems to optimise the angle of the panel to the sun throughout the day.

How big are solar panels?

The solar panels at Griffith are 1m x 2m in size and are arranged in rows that typically changes from the length of rows. These rows of solar panels are spaced 5 to 7m apart. The height of a fully tilted solar panel is 3 to 4 metres above the ground.

Do the solar panels generate glare?

Photovoltaic panels are designed to reflect as little light as possible (generally around 2%) to maximise their efficiency. Solar farms are not considered reflective and have been installed at or near number of airports around the world.

ECONOMIC

Do solar farms benefit the Australian/local economy?

Each of Neoen’s projects benefit the local community by creating employment. Over 100 people were employed during the construction of the Griffith solar farm with a full-time site technician employed locally during operations supported by a range of local and regional sub-contractors and suppliers.

How much do renewables cost compared with other energy sources?

Renewable energy projects are now the cheapest sources of new energy generation. Solar energy projects produce energy at less than $50 per megawatt hour. The costs of other sources of generation are:

Existing coal generation: approximately $40 per megawatt hour
Combined gas-cycle generation: approximately $75 per megawatt hour
New coal generation: approximately $130 per megawatt hour

Do solar farms result in a decrease in electricity prices?

Solar energy forms just one part of the Australian Energy Market Operators (AEMO) move towards renewable energy.

Solar farms add to the supply side of the electricity supply-demand equation, which puts downward pressure on all electricity bills.

Does Neoen require government subsidies to build its projects?

The Griffth Solar Farm received federal funding as part of the 2016 ARENA Large Scale Solar funding round. Cost of developing new Solar Farms have now reached a state that Neoen does not require government subsidies to finance its projects. We finance our projects through a combination of our own equity and long-term bank loans. However, we sometimes enter into agreements with governments or businesses to sell the power produced by our projects.

Health & Culture

Are there any health risks associated with solar farms?

No health issues have been associated with solar panels. Solar panels are installed on more than 25% of Australian homes and have been on homes throughout the world for the past 15 years. Griffith Solar Farm uses the same type of solar panel technology.

ENVIRONMENT

Do solar farms impact on flora and fauna?

Neoen engages specialist consultants to undertake detailed flora and fauna surveys to determine the ecological attributes of the land before the solar farm is built.

On all of our projects, we aim to minimise the impact on flora and fauna by designing projects to be constructed outside areas of high conservation significance and adopting control measures during the construction process.

Other mitigation measures include preparing management plans, identifying ‘no-go zones’ within the project site and conducting pre-clearance surveys. Neoen also consults with government departments of environment and biodiversity throughout the development, construction and operational stages of projects, as well as local non-government organisations.

Do solar farms affect farm/domestic animals?

Griffith solar farm is home to sheep who graze the vegetation around the solar panels throughout the year. To learn more, please view our Agrisolar documents.

How is any potential fire risk managed?

There is no inherent fire risk attached to photovoltaic panels or solar farms. There is a cleared vegetation zone around the edges of the solar farms to prevent fire propagation. This is complemented by a strict vegetation management plan to manage fuel loads on site.