First Solar to deliver 48.5MW Manildra Solar Farm in Australia

First Solar has achieved financial closure for the 48.5 MW Manildra Solar Farm in New South Wales, Australia. The project will utilise First Solar’s 466,000 thin-film modules, and deploy single-axis tracking technology. It will take First Solar’s installed capacity in Australia to more than 400 MW. Australian engineering and infrastructure company RCR Tomlinson will act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project. First Solar has entered into a 13-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with gas and electricity retailing company EnergyAustralia for the power generated as well as large-scale generation certificates (LGCs). LGCs are currently trading at historically high prices, making them a particularly attractive revenue stream for solar projects in Australia. The construction is likely to begin by mid-2017.