Why is Winton suitable for a solar installation?
Lightsource BP is proposing to build
a solar installation on 28 hectares of
existing agricultural farmland located at
116 Lee Road, Winton.
The proposed site has been chosen
due to its natural screening and flat
topography as well as its proximity to
the Glenrowan Terminal Station and the
Hume Highway.
The delivery of solar installations within
Australia responds to the Australian
Federal Government signing the Paris
Agreement, committing to reducing the
impacts of climate change, including:
• Reducing emissions by 26 to 28 per
cent below 2005 levels by 2030
• Doubling Australia’s renewable energy
capacity by 2020, driving innovation,
creating jobs and providing a
cleaner future
• Helping improve energy productivity
by 40 per cent, by 2030
• Investing in innovation and clean
technology to help capture the
opportunities of a cleaner future.
Who are we?
The Victorian State Government
mirrors this strategic drive and has
set an ambitious target to be 40%
below 2005 emission levels by 2025.
The government recognises that the
most effective way of achieving this
outcome is to collaborate with a variety
of partners, to share knowledge and
experience, and to form partnerships to
drive further action.
Lightsource BP wants to contribute to
Victoria’s renewable energy mix and
assist the state in meeting its targets.
The solar installation at Winton will
produce 15 Megawatts peak (MWp),
which is enough to power 2,330
homes. The installation will save
21,582 tonnes of carbon emissions
each year, the equivalent of taking
4,621 cars off the road.
Lightsource BP is a global market leader in
the development and long-term management
of large-scale solar projects and smart
energy solutions. We are working to generate
competitively priced, dependable, clean energy to
supply Australian businesses and communities.
Urbis is working with Lightsource BP to progress
the planning application to Benalla Shire Council
and are also leading stakeholder discussions,
prior to lodgement of the application. Urbis
is an independent consultancy that advises
developers, property owners, NGOs, community
groups, industry associations and all levels
of government.
URBIS.COM.AU
Our projects generate competitively-priced,
dependable, clean energy for businesses and
communities. The solar power produced by our
projects in Victoria will provide a source of clean,
renewable power to the Grid to be used locally
by businesses and communities.
Find out more...
If you have queries in relation to this project,
please contact Rion Casey of the Urbis project
team on: (03) 8663 4888, or via email at:
mokoanconsultation@urbis.com.au.
 What is a solar installation?
Components of a solar installation:

Our solar panels don’t move or produce anything

except clean electricity. So how do they work?
Each solar panel is made up of silicon-based Solar panels Cabling Inverters Transformer Substation Local consumption
photovoltaic (PV) cells which convert the light Module cells convert All cabling is weather The solar modules From the inverters, The substation is The electricity is
energy from daylight into electrical energy. the energy from proofed and securely feed electricity into the electricity flows to the on-site point of distributed by the
Daylight from the sun hits a negatively doped daylight directly attached to the inverters, which a transformer which connection to the local Distribution
silicon layer which ‘excites’ electrons, effectively into Direct Current structure or buried convert the DC ‘steps-up’ the voltage grid. From here, a System Operator
‘removing’ them from their atoms. This creates (DC) electricity. underground. power into the AC of the electricity to high voltage cable, (DSO). Local energy
a potential difference between the two layers (Alternating Current) match that of the connects the solar consumption take-off
of silicon and stimulates a flow of electrons. The flowing on the local existing overhead installation to the will consume some,
flow generates Direct Current (DC) electricity. grid network. line network. existing overhead line if not the majority, of
As there are no moving parts, the process grid network. the energy generated.
happens silently.

What are solar panels made of?

Glass & Cells: Silicon (Si)
Silicon is the largest component on a solar
installation, forming both the photovoltaic cells
and the anti-reflective glass which protects
them. To make the cells, sand is melted using
electricity. It is then purified and distilled, formed
info ‘wafers’ and given an anti-reflective silicon
nitride coating to maximise light absorption.
Conductors: Silver (Ag)
The aluminium conductors are plated with silver
to protect them from the elements.
Framing & Conductors: Aluminium (A) Why blue?
The horizontal and vertical lines across the The cell coating is blue in order to absorb the
panels are screen-printed aluminium conductors. light most efficiently. Black would be even more
They conduct the electricity produced by the absorbent, but it gets hotter and the technology
silicon cells to the cabling. works best at cooler temperatures.
The panels are fixed onto an aluminium
framework which quickly dulls to a non-shiny
finish. The framework has galvanised screwed-in
foundations, it is quick to install, very strong and
can be removed easily to allow the ground to be
fully restored once the plant is decommissioned.

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000
 Components of a solar installation Site zoning

Fencing examples Solar photovoltaic panels Sub station and CCTV camera The development
is located within
the Farming 1 Zone.
The proposed
solar installation
complies with the
objectives of this
zoning by providing
an alternative use
of the land and not
compromising the
Invertors and transformers agricultural viability
of the land.
The development
at the end of its
lifecycle (typically
25/30 years) will be
able to be returned
to its previously
agricultural use.

Typical access track

Sheep grazing

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000
Site location

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000
Green open space
There will be wide spaces
around the site boundaries
Site features
and between the rows of
panels to avoid shading Proposed solar installation at 116 Lee Road,
the panels, this will Nelson Road, Winton VIC
leave the majority of the
site area as uncovered Livestock grazing
grassland. Lightsource BP and Urbis have developed an
The solar installation is being indicative site layout that takes into account the
designed to accommodate following:
the grazing of sheep. This
means that the project
Transformer, inverters will allow for continued • Retention of the Regent Honeyeater bird
& battery storage agricultural use, as well as movement pathway through the site
locally-generated energy.

• Minimised impact on views and vistas to

the site from surrounding areas

• Appropriate screening of the solar installation

using vegetation

• Optimised layout of solar panels

• Dual production function for energy generation

Indigenous vegetation and ongoing agricultural use
Multi layered planting including
local indigenous species for • Appropriate and logical access to solar panels for
shrubbery and trees, to provide maintenance purposes, and
appropriate screening of the Substation
solar installation.
• Requirements of relevant agencies such as the
Country Fire Authority (CFA)

• Actively pursuing the potential for sheep

Regent Honeyeater grazing on site.

The solar installation is Lightsource BP and Urbis are also actively searching
designed to preserve a
corridor for the Regent for additional sites in the area that would be
Honeyeater, and the appropriate for solar installations. Whilst there are no
project team will continue specific areas currently identified, the project team is
to engage with interest open to consideration of appropriate land parcels.
groups to ensure appropriate
management of the land.

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000
 Site Constraints
Vegetation Protection Overlay (VPO3) Bushfire Prone Area

The development is partially located within an area affected by a Vegetation Protection Overlay
(VPO3). This VPO3 plans for the protection of the Regent Honeyeater habitat and Lurg Ironbark
vegetation. The proposed development has been designed in accordance with the requirements
of VPO3 to protect the Regent Honeyeater habitat and Lurg Ironbark vegetation. The Ecological
Assessment for the site has identified that there is no significant vegetation impacted from the
proposed development to this south-east corner affected by VPO3.
The proposed development is located within an area subject to bushfire prevention planning.
The subject site is not affected by a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO). Measures to manage
bushfire risk will be required in consultation with Council and the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
This may include firebreaks, management of vegetation, and provision of water supply.
A bushfire management plan will be required as part of the planning permit application process,
which will be referred to the CFA for review.

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000
Site Constraints Visual Assessment

Ecological:
1. Vegetation at existing condition

An Ecological Due Diligence Assessment Report has been

prepared for the proposed development which has the
following key findings:

• No significant vegetation communities or species

identified on site nor a suitable habitat for rare or
threatened flora and fauna species were identified

• Grazed pastures comprise of introduced grasses and

herbs, and has negligible value as flora and fauna habitat

• Eleven Victorian native trees (including 4 dead stags) 2. Proposed with vegetation at one year
comprised of 2 ’small’ and 9 ‘large’ scattered trees
as defined under Victoria’s Native Vegetation
Removal Regulations

• Large trees provide some limited habitat and foraging

opportunities for native fauna. Small and medium sized
hollows were observed in most of the trees which are
likely to be utilised by hollow-dependent native fauna

• Native trees and shrubs along the fence line and

surrounding the house and driveway are introduced
species - this vegetation provides negligible habitat value.
3. Proposed with vegetation at five years

Viewpoint 1 – Hume Hwy

looking North-East

Lightsource BP E info@lightsourcebp.com
Level 4, 152 Elizabeth Street, www.lightsourcebp.com
Melbourne 3000