Cootamundra Solar Farm

Cutting edge solar technology setting the standard for renewable energy developers

Project overview

Nestled amongst the lush green hills of Cootamundra, this solar farm is 8,080 panels spread across 19 hectares and generates approximately 11,800 MWh annually.

Location: Cootamundra, NSW

5.8 MW capacity

7,902 tons of carbon saved each year

2,100 homes powered (equivalent)

Project details

With construction commencing in early 2023 and first generation occurring in February 2024, the 5.8 MW Cootamundra Solar Farm has been financed and built by Flow Power.

Flow Power’s in house Engineering and Projects teams undertook all development, design and procurement and once operational, the project will help support local economic growth and provide clean energy to the grid.

The technology

Anti-glare tracking

Glare from smooth surfaces such as solar panels can pose a safety hazard and visual nuisance to motorists and residents.

Flow Power commissioned a glare study and implemented a back-tracking limit angle to reduce this impact on local community.

The back-tracking algorithms are set to follow the sun, enabling maximum generation, while reducing inter-row shading and minimising glare.

Wireless string monitoring

All strings of the solar panels are connected and monitored to track the performance of each unit along with the overall output and performance of the entire solar farm.

If one panel has an issue, such as a microfracture or hotspot, this can affect the generation of an entire string of panels.

Wireless string monitoring allows our team to remotely identify inefficiencies at a granular level, maintaining optimal levels of generation.

Battery ready

Currently Cootamundra operates as a standard solar farm but with its battery-ready inverter, the project can accommodate a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the future.

This will allow the site to be run as a solar farm when demand and prices are low, while simultaneously charging the batteries. The batteries can then be turned on and export energy back to the grid when demand and prices are high – typically in the morning or afternoon.

Parrots’ paradise

Previously industrially zoned and undeveloped due to a nearby creek posing flood issues, Flow Power has transformed the site into a renewable energy generator surrounded by 6,000 native and thriving saplings.

The southern side of the site is home to hollow bearing trees – a Superb Parrot breeding zone. Flow Power commissioned ecological studies to ensure the sites footprint was well away and nondisruptive to birds in the area.