Grong Grong Solar Farm has contracted regional-based electrical contractor Watters Electrical to provide engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services for the solar farm delivery. With the inverter and transformer having arrived in Sydney, solar panels and tracker mounting system onsite and piling works underway, Watters are now taking over delivery of the works to see it through to commissioning.
Grong Grong Solar Farm is a community-owned solar farm of 1.7 MW capacity. As an Australian first, it used crowd equity (crowd-sourced funding, CSF) in 2022 to raise $750,000. The raise was successfully completed in 8 days with more than 400 investors contributing during the campaign on Birchal.
Grong Grong Solar Farm also hosts the Haystacks Solar Garden , where Cooperative members can invest in a virtual 3kW plot and get on-bill credits from their electricity retail partner Energy Locals, another Australian first. The project is supported by a grant from the NSW Government Regional Community Energy Fund.
The 250 strong workforce of Watters Electrical performs electrical contracting including ASP1 High Voltage (HV) works, giving them deep experience in grid connections. This will help in navigating one of the more challenging parts of the delivery of any solar farm. For Watters Electrical this work follows on straight from building the 5MW Cosgrove solar farm near Shepparton.
Komo Energy is providing development services to Grong Grong Solar Farm and managed the procurement of the EPC contractor. “It is a delight to appoint Watters Electrical as EPC for the project. Komo Energy has a passion for working with regional service providers and contractors. We have already done so with geotechnical investigation, legal work, surveying and planning services, drone photography and piling/mechanical installation works. Watters Electrical experience across electrical contracting and construction of network assets is exactly what the Grong Grong Solar Farm now needs to bring it to a successful conclusion. We see great alignment with Watters Electrical’s practical and positive approach and look forward to the successful delivery over the coming months” says Komo Energy and Grong Grong Solar Farm director, Gerald Arends.
“We enjoy utilising our experience and capability on solar farms” says Watters Electrical CEO, Peter Copley. “Mid-scale solar farms like Grong Grong Solar Farm have the potential to add steady workflow for contractors and reduce complexity for connecting to the grid.”
Installation of the single axis tracking mounting system is currently under way and the installation of solar panels is about to start. This will be followed by electrical works including installation of the inverter and transformer, cabling and grid connection works. The project is targeting generation by the end of January 2024.
The project has plans for the addition of a battery next year, depending on finance. It is also planning to open up investment again using crowd equity on Birchal in September this year.