Federal funding for solar research

A $66.5 million grant from the federal government will fund research to help build one of the largest solar power plants in the world in North West NSW.

The project will create jobs and strengthen industry-research partnerships.

The grant will underpin the Moree solar farm, which will power around 45,000 homes, perform cutting-edge research and accelerate the development of the solar industry in Australia.

The CSIRO will lead a consortium of researchers from the University of NSW, the University of Newcastle and Hunter TAFE to conduct research at the proposed Moree solar farm - a $925 million project led by BP Solar, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures and Pacific Hydro.

The Moree proposal is for a 150 MW photovoltaic power plant for outer Moree. Twice the size of any photovoltaic power plant operating in the world today, it is estimated that the project will create around 300-400 jobs during the construction phase.

Preliminary research will begin this year, with completion and commissioning of the plant expected by the end of 2015.