FAQ'S

General

How will the solar farm project impact the local community?
The solar farm project will help increasing the local economy as many workers will need to relocate to work on this project and their presence will contribute to the economy of the local and regional shire council areas.

There will also be an opportunity for local residents to gain employment & local contractors to submit tenders. For example, local residents with White cards and construction experience (including young workers who may have EWP, crane and plant and equipment tickets will be at a distinct advantage).

Where is the project located?
The project is located at 493 Blowers Road, Munna Creek, which is within the Fraser Coast Regional Council municipality. The solar farm includes both parcels of land (Lot 1 on SP233609 and Lot 1161 on L37659).

What is the size of the project?
The project includes the construction, operation, upgrading and future decommissioning of an 120MWAC photovoltaic electricity generating works and associated infrastructure, including grid connection to the Ergon 132 kVolt overhead power line that passes through the Solar Farm. The proposed site is contained within both lots and has a development footprint of approximately 460 ha.

Approximatively 255,000 solar panels will be installed over about 233 Ha across the 460 Ha site. If all of the solar panels were placed edge to edge, the combined surface area would be nearly 80 Ha (20% of the entire site).
The site was selected for the region’s high solar resource, proximity to Ergon’s transmission network and will not require the construction of additional overland powerlines.

How much electricity will the project generate?
Once operational, the project will generate enough electricity to power about 41,100 Australian homes. The site was selected for the region’s high solar resource, proximity to Ergon’s transmission network and will not require the construction of additional overland powerlines.

How long will construction be conducted on site for?
Construction on site will be conducted for approximately 12 to 18 months.

What’s the longevity of a solar farm project?
The expected lifespan of a solar farm project is usually up to 25 to 30 years. However, for Munna Creek Solar Farm project, the solar array is anticipated to have a 30–50-year life span.

What is the life cycle of a photovoltaic panel?
The overall lifespan of a modern solar panel is at least 25+ years, with an average annual degradation rate of 0.50 %. (1/2 of 1 %). Thus in 25 years, the solar panels will still be operating at 87 % efficiency.

What technologies is Metlen using to build its solar farms?
Metka is using high quality tracker systems to build its solar farms and the most up to date module technologies.

Will the solar farm reduce my electricity bill?
The electricity generated from the solar farm is transmitted into the electricity grid and alters the supply-demand equation which in turn may put downward pressure on electricity bills.

With increasing costs for the supply and generation of traditionally supplied electrical power from coal fired power stations (many of which are now very old and require replacement or repairs), the installation of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind turbine technology), which certainly help to keep the price of electrical power supplies as low as possible.

What type of maintenance activities will be conducted after construction?
Weekly, monthly, 6 monthly inspections and tests of mechanical & electrical infrastructure will be conducted along with vegetation management and module cleaning.

Some people have asked if Metlen uses hazardous materials to clean the solar panels? We do not use anything but water and a very soft brush. The rainwater that drips off the solar panels would be contaminated if we used harsh chemicals and that contaminated water would then harm the grazing sheep that feed on the lush and green grass that grows along the drip line.

How do I make a complaint?
You can make a formal complaint following this complaint process here.

Environmental

Are there any impacts on flora and fauna?
Prior to vegetation clearance and ground-breaking activities, a pre-clearance survey will be undertaken to ensure vegetation and fauna are properly identified, retained, treated, or relocated.

The employment of qualified fauna spotters also helps to minimise the impact on native wildlife. Before any tree or bush (shrub) is felled and removed, the tree is thoroughly inspected for birds nests, hollow cavities where possums or bird’s nest maybe present etc.

When the tree is dropped (usually lowered to the ground, the branches and bole of the tree is again checked and any creatures (such as small lizards, micro bats and even native bees are translocated to a safe location or alternative still standing tree).

Do the photovoltaic panels require rare and precious metals?
Most of the bulk of solar panels are primarily made from Silicon which is the main component in sand. Fortunately, due to the relative abundance of Silicon on Earth, photovoltaic panels don’t have a significant negative impact on the environment.

In fact, there is now a new process available that utilises green (solar supplied power), to power a specialised and portable (shipping container unit) that completely dissembles all of the components of solar panels.

The Aluminium strips, the tempered glass (made predominantly of Silicon), the plastic veneers, Lead, Silver, Copper and other metals are all separated into their constituent components and are then available. The process of deconstruction and reclamation, recycling and finally reuse as either new solar panels or other products that can use the aluminium, precious metals (which will not have to be mined and refined).

How will the waste be managed on site?
All wastes are disposed of at a licenced Waste Management Centre. Wastes are removed and disposed of in accordance with the Waste Schedule. No waste will be burnt or buried on-site. All wastes removed from the site will be recorded in the Environmental Tracking Register and include details such as type of waste, quantity, whether the waste has been disposed or recycled.

At other solar farms managed by Metlen, traditional waste streams such as steel, timber and timber products are segregated and donated to local schools, TAFEs, Mens Sheds and other NGOs for direct use in local projects and for teaching purposes. At a recent alternative energy farm, our Environmental Manager achieved over 95% reuse and recycling. Valuable resources were donated for reuse in local projects with significant savings being achieved by the local organisations.

Any wastes associated with temporary amenities at the site during the works will be managed and disposed of in accordance with DES guidelines and requirements for the management and disposal of oily waters, grey water and sewage. For more information, please refer to Waste Management Plan.

How will bushfires be prevented/managed during & after construction?
Metlen actively maintain their solar farms and construction sites, so as to ensure our preparedness to manage bush fire risks associated with on-ground activities to deal with bushfire emergency response actions.

Metlen employees and subcontractors are qualified and competent in the use of our fire-fighting equipment which is stationed at the Munna Creek Solar Farm. We frequently conduct emergency response (ER) drills as part of our emergency response training and preparedness plans.

The purpose of these drills will be to ensure that staff working on site are aware of emergency response protocols and can rehearse and ‘walk through’ the required steps and actions to effectively manage and control both spot and bush fire threats on site.

A 10m asset protection zone will be provided around the solar farm and is wholly within the Munna Creek Solar Farm site. In the event of a Bushfire warnings and Total Fire Ban notifications, the site will be on high alert and staff will monitor updates from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (Rural Fire Service) for the local area.

Hot works (e.g. welding, oxy-cutting) shall only be undertaken in accordance with current fire restrictions, and a Hot Works Permit system shall be established on site to manage the risks associated with bushfire.

All construction will be carried out in accordance with the Australian Standard for the Construction of Buildings in Bushfire Prone Areas – AS3959 – 2009. AS3959 sets out the requirements for the construction of buildings in bushfire prone areas in order to improve their safety when they are subjected to burning debris, radiant heat or flame contact generated from a bushfire.

No waste or vegetation will be burned on site at any time.

During Total Fire Ban days, no hot works will be permitted. A security team will be on site 24/7 during the construction works. For more information, please refer to the Bush Fire Protection Plan.

Do solar farms make any noise?
Building a solar farm can be noisy depending on how close the receptors (residents) are to the construction site. Construction works will only be undertaken Mondays to Saturdays between the hours of 6:30am to 6:30pm and Metlen will limit noise generating construction activities to standard construction hours except where an acceptable acoustic solution can be identified to minimise adverse amenity impacts on sensitive receptors (nearby residents etc).

Will there be much dust generated during construction?
Metlen will monitor daily weather and adjust (limit) construction activities to minimise dust generation i.e. during high winds and/or dry conditions. Metlen will also manage dust suppression by using a water cart on work areas and stockpiles to prevent dust generation. The Construction Manager will also provide a dedicated water truck along Blowers Road to limit dust and he shall require all deliveries along the road to limit their speed to 40 km/h.

Has the site been inspected for culture and heritage artefacts? How will this be managed?
There are no Aboriginal cultural heritage places recorded over the site and no places within the heritage and neighbourhood character overlay over the site.

As the property is listed as Freehold, Native Title is likely extinguished in the site. In the unlikely event that human remains are discovered, all work in the area of the find will immediately stop, a protection zone shall be- created and flagged off and the Queensland Police will be immediately notified. In all areas of the site, the Aboriginal Party may attribute residual cultural heritage significance to ceremonial places, occupation sites, artefact scatters and/or contact sites, regardless of the severity of previous ground disturbance.

If it is necessary to excavate, relocate, remove unexpected finds, works will immediately stop, a protection zone shall be created and RPS notified to determine if the unexpected find is an Aboriginal Object or Place. If determined so, consultation with the relevant Aboriginal Parties and department will be necessary where the Land User will seek their advice and agreement on how best to avoid or minimise harm to the Aboriginal heritage site or artefact.

Roads & Access

What type of vehicles will be travelling on/off site?
Vehicles entering the site will consist of construction worker vehicles and much larger delivery trucks. The largest trucks will be able to carry containers of equipment during the course of construction, as well as other machinery. The heaviest trucks will transport the large transformers and sub station equipment. It is for this reason that the old Kunst Bridge is going to be replaced with a 160 capacity single span bridge.

The solar panels are transported in 12m containers, with each container holding 660 panels. There will therefore be 625 container deliveries required, or at least 1,300 HV vehicle movements to and from the site (on the further assumption that an empty container will be simultaneously removed from the site with each new delivery after the first 25 containers are on site).

Is the solar farm going to impact traffic?
Traffic associated with the Project will be greatest during the construction phase of the Project. Traffic will be associated with delivery of construction materials and the daily construction staff movements. Construction is not expected to have any significant effect (no worsening) on current road traffic movements.

Most of the traffic generated would be workforce labour traffic that would travel from nearby towns and locations outside of the normal peak hour traffic times and deliveries being scheduled outside of any major towns during peak traffic times (Gympie or Maryborough etc).

Once the site is established, the full-time employees are expected to generate about four to five return light vehicle trips per day and less than one medium weight trips per day.

How will you manage/control the traffic?
To provide adequate and safe site access from Bruce Highway and the Bauple – Woolooga Road to the site, the access and intersection will be monitored, it is not expected that the additional traffic load will require and upgrades to the site at this stage.

Visual Impact

Will solar panels generate glare or glint?
Studies on operational solar farms have demonstrated that photovoltaic panels are designed to reflect minimal light in order to maximise their efficiency. For example, a mirror reflects about 75% or more of the light falling on the glass surface, such a surface is not a suitable surface for a solar panel.

Therefore, modern solar panels are designed to absorb as much energy as possible and therefore generate as much electrical power as can be achieved with their non reflective surface.

Metlen intends to use equipment designed to mitigate issues with both reflection and glare. This includes the layout and design of the solar farm, orientation of the solar panels towards the sun (which of course is in the Northern horizon) and the solar tracking panels which constantly point the panels towards the sun as the Earth rotates (spins) around the sun (winter to summer to winter).

How will the visual impact be managed?
Landscaping is proposed on the boundary closest to the sensitive receptors (residents) which will screen the onsite offices, switch yard and vehicle parking from sight from the adjacent the dwelling. Overall, the design and siting of the solar modules will not create adverse visual impact.