Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s

About the project

  • The Meadow Creek Solar Farm site makes use of the North Easts abundant solar resources. The site is very level and has large open pastures, which make it ideal for solar development. The site is also closely located to a nearby transmission line with available network capacity. Co-locating projects close to existing transmission infrastructure reduces how much new transmission line is needed to connect to the network.

  • Meadow Creek Solar Farm is being developed by Meadow Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd, a locally owned entity. Meadow Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd have engaged renewable energy specialists (DNV) and environmental and planning specialists to assist with the design and planning processes.

  • The solar farm is being designed to operate for up to 30 years. Decommissioning the site will involve removing solar panels and infrastructure and reinstating the land.

  • Like all electrical equipment, batteries and solar equipment require careful design and management to ensure fire risk is minimised.

    All renewable energy projects, including solar farms and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in Victoria must be developed in accordance with strict guidelines set by the Country Fire Authority. These guidelines provide standard considerations and measures for fire safety, risk and emergency management in designing.

    Measures include:

    • Fire breaks of 10 metres around the site boundary and within fenced areas between existing vegetation and solar panels.

    • 6 x 45,000 litre water tanks at site access points and 1 x 288,000 litre water tank at the main site entrance.

    A Bushfire Emergency Management Plan will be prepared in consultation with CFA ahead of project construction and operations.

  • The proposed Meadow Creek Solar Farm is being designed to accommodate up to 330MW of solar power and a Battery Energy Storage System on site. Visually, the solar panels would be around 2.6m tall and raised off the ground. The panels are a single axis tracking system that follow the sun throughout the day to maximise energy generation. The site will also include a substation and transmission line connection.

    Vegetation screens will be planted around the site to protect views and limit potential visual impacts.

  • No, the solar farm is being designed around existing environmental features, including some sensitive waterways and established tree belts that run through the property. The design also includes internal roads, fire breaks, vegetation buffers and setbacks from neighbouring properties and sensitive waterways.

Environment and planning

  • To obtain a planning permit for a Renewable Energy Facility in Victoria, a proponent or owner of the project (Meadow Creek Solar Farm Pty Ltd) must prepare a Planning Application that responds to the relevant requirements of the local Planning Scheme including the relevant planning controls (zones and overlays). A Planning Application for a Renewable Energy Facility must also address the application requirements listed under Clause 53.13 of the Planning Scheme.  

    A proponent will lodge an application with the Minister for Planning who is the responsible authority for a Renewable Energy Facility development, via the Department of Transport and Planning.

    Once all relevant information has been provided the Department will proceed with a public notice and referral, where community and stakeholders can make a submission on the proposal.

    The Minister then reviews the information, responses from referral agencies and community submissions and makes a decision on the application.

  • A Cultural Heritage Management Plan is prepared in consultation with the Registered Aboriginal Party to ensure the protection of cultural heritage values on the site. This involves talking to Traditional Owner representatives about the plans, completing site visits and site investigations.

  • An Agricultural Land Use Assessment was prepared to assess the proposal’s impact on agricultural land, particularly its suitability for agricultural activity. This assessment identified that whilst the site has suitable soils to facilitate grazing or pasture, it contributes to 0.6% of the Wangaratta Shire’s agricultural land, contributing less than 0.004% of Victoria’s agricultural economic output.

    Despite this, Meadow Creek Solar Farm will continue to have sheep grazing on site to maintain productive use of this land.

  • The Meadow Creek Solar Farm project is committed to supporting sustainable practices on the site.

    When preparing the project design, we first look at the environmental values of the site including sensitive waterways, vegetation and habitats. Through careful design, impacts on the environment can be reduced significantly.

    Every effort is made to design the solar farm in a way that protects high value trees and waterways remain protected.

    Once the project design footprint is finalised detailed environmental assessments are prepared. These assessments help to identify the potential impacts of the project and are included in the project Planning Application.

  • Solar farms make a small amount of noise when operational, this is usually from the substation or electricity inverter. Noise will be considered as part of the projects design and assessments.

  • We’ve completed a detailed hydrology study to understand the potential impacts of flooding on the project. The study involved mapping waterways in and around the site to identify potentially flood prone areas. The design team use this information to locate infrastructure away from potentially flood prone areas.

  • The solar farm will use bifacial double-glass solar panels, engineered with solar cells on both sides. These panels are specifically designed for utility-scale solar farms, and the bifacial design significantly enhances their energy generation efficiency.

    For this project, we’ll use high-quality photovoltaic solar panels, made of glass, aluminium, copper, monocrystalline solar cells and sealants, to ensure durability and high performance.

  • Solar panels are designed to absorb sunlight, rather than reflect it. Solar panels can be positioned at different angles to ensure the panel reflections do not result in localised impacts. They are also coated with a specific glaze to mitigate glare.

    In addition, trees and shrubs around the site boundary will shield any sight on the solar farm.

Community

  • We’re looking at opportunities to share the benefits of the project through a community benefit fund. The fund would come into effect when the project is operational and could be distributed to the local community through grants, sponsorships and partnership programs.

    Benefit sharing is best practice for renewable energy projects in Victoria and around Australia.

    We want to hear what kind of local projects or community initiatives you’d like to see supported. If you have an idea, let us know at info@meadowcreeksolarfarm.com.au

  • Introduction of more renewable energy into the market increases the supply of electricity and puts downward pressure on power prices. Solar energy is just one type of renewable energy generation that contributes to the energy market.

  • The project will have a range of insurance policies in place to cover the site in the event of damage or fire.

    While base rates for insurance premiums are rising across the board, advice provided to us indicates that there is no evidence of these premiums being raised for people living near solar farms.

    To further support our community, Meadow Creek Solar Farm’s insurance broker is available to discuss potential customised insurance solutions with neighbours, should the project move forward to construction.