Merredin solar farm due to hit the grid in coming months

A statement released by Risen Energy put the speed of the solar farm's civil and mechanical construction down to good management of finances, great teamwork and strong cooperation between the company and partners.

Pilecom, a Western Australian company installed the last of the 46,563 steel post foundations in early November.

By early December, the solar farm's civil and mechanical works were completed by the principal construction contractor, Monford Group.

The 354,452 PV panels and 4249 torque tubes were installed, with approximately 60km of cable trenching laid and 22 inverters placed onto their foundations.

On-site labour peaked at 425 staff and the speed at which they completed the works was exceptional.

Once the field assembly was complete, 300 labour staff demobilised from the site in early December.

Approximately 150 staff remain on-site to continue with electrical works and completion of the solar farm.

Up until February 2020, the planned work will include the electrical installation, substation install, electrical testing, O&M Building install and connection to the existing high voltage system.

After completion, approximately 100 staff will be demobilised.

The remaining staff will stay on to complete the final electrical installation and testing.

This part of the work will continue through to the second quarter of 2020.

Risen Energy said during all stages of the project they had worked closely with the Merredin Shire Council, the head of the local police as well as the Merredin fire chief.

Once completed, the solar farm will have an expected output of 281GWh of electricity annually, generating enough green energy to power approximately 42,000 Western Australian homes.

Full construction of the solar installation will continue through to early 2020 with commission and power sales to take place in the second quarter 2020.

Once operational, the solar farm will require three to five full time workers to maintain the installation.