About The Metz Solar Farm

Metz Solar Farm will be constructed on private land approximately 15 kilometres from Armidale in New South Wales.

The proposed solar farm will be installed across the 430-hectare site. The solar farm will generate renewable energy to supply up to 40,000 Australian households each year; more than half of the total 66,000 households in the region. The solar farm will connect to the existing Transgrid 132 kV transmission line. The solar farm layout avoids most environmental constraints and has been designed to minimise the removal of remnant native vegetation.

The total power of the plant will be 115 MWac rated power at the point of interconnection at the Transgrid 132kV Transmission Line and 141.1 MWdc peak power (at Standard Test Conditions) at the module DC connections.

Who is developing the project?

  • FRV Services Australia is the owner of the Metz Solar Farm project.
  • The project’s previous owner, Clenergy sold the project development rights to FRV in November 2020.
  • FRV, as new owners, are committed to developing a reliable and safe clean energy asset for the region and continuing community engagement throughout the project’s lifetime.

Peak Power: 115 MW AC
DC Power: 141.1 MWdc
CO2 Avoided: 288,000 tons t/Year
Households Supplied: 40,000 Homes
Surface: 430 Hectares
Operation Start: 2022
System Type: PV solar modules installed on the N-S axis tracking mounting system

Development Approval

Given its significant potential to contribute to the economic and clean energy priorities of NSW, the Metz Solar Farm proposal was assessed as a State Significant Development by the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

Bright Prospects

The Metz Solar Farm will deliver significant benefits to the region:

  • Construction will create significant job opportunities. FRV requires all contractors working on its solar farm developments to hire local contractors and utilise local suppliers wherever possible. It is estimated that around 200 workers will be required to construct the project.
  • During operations 2 to 3 ongoing operational roles will be created. Maintenance contracts for panel cleaning, fence repair, road grading, etc. would also be required and would likely be met by local contractors.
  • The employment benefits extend through the local supply chains to fuel supply, vehicle servicing, hotels/motels, B&B’s, cafés, pubs, catering, cleaning companies, tradespersons, tool and equipment suppliers and many other businesses.

Powering the Future

  • The Metz Solar Farm will utilise state of the art solar photovoltaic panels mounted on a horizontal, single-axis tracking system that enable the panels to track the sun. This technology operates in varying daylight conditions including low light and cloudy weather and is extremely efficient for generating clean electricity with minimal noise, water consumption or waste.
  • The solar farm would consist of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels similar to those installed throughout Australia on residential and commercial properties.
  • The panels will be mounted on steel frames supported by driven piles that will create minimal disturbance to the land. This will allow sheep to continue to graze in and around them once the solar farm is operational.
  • Once complete, The Metz Solar Farm is expected to generate for up to 30 years.