First Solar Awarded 140MW Module Supply Contract for Australia’s Largest Solar Project

First Solar, Inc. announced it has been awarded the module supply contract for the 140 megawatt (MW)DC Sun Metals Solar Farm in North Queensland (QLD), Australia. It will be Australia’s largest solar project once constructed, and utilize more than 1,167,000 First Solar advanced thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules to produce approximately 270,000 megawatt-hours of energy in its first year of operation.
 
Situated 15 kilometers south of Townsville, the project will supply electricity to the Sun Metals zinc refinery, which is a member of the Korea Zinc Group and a world leader in metal processing technology.
 
“Large-scale solar is fast becoming one of the most cost-effective sources of energy generation in Australia. This project represents the viability of the commercial and industrial solar market in Australia, and the growing trend of major energy consumers owning and operating renewable energy assets,” said Jack Curtis, First Solar’s regional manager for Asia Pacific.