Clean Energy Farm – Wangaratta Update 1#

Being passionate about socially responsible projects Switch is excited to be partnering with Countrywide Energy to create Victoria’s first large scale collaborative solar energy development in Wangaratta, that was launched last Thursday.

Working with the Rural City of Wangaratta (RCoW), clean energy project developer, Countrywide Energy (CWE) is preparing to lodge the appropriate documentation for a Development Approval to be granted to build a solar farm estimated to cost around $20M.

Announcing the project plans, CWE’s Director Geoff Drucker said, “There is still a great deal to be completed before the first sod can be turned, however the cooperation we have received from the RCoW has demonstrated that all parties want this solar farm to happen.”

CWE’s Director responsible for project management, Leigh Newbery said, “The planned solar farm will be at least 10 megawatts in size, which makes it the largest collaborative solar farm in the state. Located on council-owned land in North Wangaratta and beside the Industrial Estate and Hume Freeway on the Wangaratta-Eldorado Road, the solar farm could be commissioned by the end of 2017 if all goes to plan,” he said.

Approval for the solar farm to proceed involves a number of studies and applications embracing such elements as native flora and fauna, stormwater and drainage, glint and glare (reflection from the solar panels), cultural heritage overlays and community comment.

Mr Newbery said, “The glint and glare study will reveal if the solar farm could create any visual impact on drivers on the Hume Freeway heading south. If so, we will need to employ a tracking system on the solar panels to prevent possible glare affecting drivers.

“While such a system increases the cost of the project, it also increases the amount of electricity that can be generated as the solar panels follow the sun to optimise their collection of light.

“While there will be construction activity and increased traffic on the Wangaratta-Eldorado Road, once commissioned the solar farm will provide new jobs to at least five locals who will maintain the farm to optimise energy generation and keep grass levels low,” he said.

Mr Drucker said, “We have already conducted meetings with people living in a one kilometre radius of the proposed farm and have received positive feedback on the development.“The solar farm will occupy at least 15 hectares of land where approximately 35,000 photovoltaic panels will be installed. In addition, potential also exists for the solar farm to be increased in size,” he said.

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