About Fosterville Solar Farm

Fosterville Solar Farm is planned to be constructed on private land approximately 20 kilometres east of Bendigo in Victoria, within the City of Greater Bendigo Council area.

The proposed solar farm will consist of approximately 188,000 solar panels installed across the 185-hectare site. The solar farm will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power approx. 33 580 Victorian homes. The solar farm will connect to the existing 220 kV overhead transmission line which crosses the northern half of the site. The solar farm layout avoids most environmental constraints and has been designed to minimise the removal of native vegetation.

Peak Power: 100 MW AC
Estimated Generation: 1187,000 MWhr/yr
CO2 Avoided: 132,000 tons t/Year
Battery Energy Storage System 200 MWHrs
Surface: 185 Hectares
Operation Start: 2027
System Type: Solar photovoltaic panels with single axis tracking mount, string inverters and a Battery Energy Storage System

Development Approval


    Indicative timeline:
  • Planning Permit Application was lodged in 2021
  • Planning Permit Application was approved in December 2022, and it was amended in May 2025 to incorporate some layout changes and re-location of infrastructure
  • Construction start estimated for the biggening of 2026
  • Construction to run for approximately 14 months
  • Operation estimated to start 2027


For more information download our Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions

  • FRV Services Australia is the owner and developer of the Fosterville Solar Farm project.
  • An application for Planning Permit was lodged with the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP) in late 2021. As the ‘responsible authority', DELWP assessed our solar farm concept in accordance with the relevant land use planning requirements and policy.
  • A Planning Permit approval was issued the 8th of December 2022 and can be consulted here.
  • The permit approves a transmission connection point on-site. Due to connection guidelines changes in Victoria, the project now requires to be connected into the proposed and future Axedale Solar Farm Terminal Station directly north-east of the project site. The on-site connection point is no longer an option. This resulted in changes to the Fosterville solar farm layout, for which FRV received approval through an amended planning permit process. The document package for this amendment application and the updated planning permit is publicly available here..
  • FRV are committed to developing a reliable and safe clean energy asset for the region and to continuing community engagement throughout the project’s lifetime.

Bright Prospects

    Fosterville Solar Farm will deliver significant benefits to the region:
  • Construction will create significant job opportunities. FRV requires all contractors working on its solar farm developments to hire local contractors and utilise local suppliers wherever possible. It is estimated that around 150 workers will be required to construct the project.
  • During operations 4 to 5 ongoing operational roles will be created. Maintenance contracts for panel cleaning, fence repair, road grading, etc. would also be required and would likely be met by local contractors.
  • The employment benefits extend through the local supply chains to fuel supply, vehicle servicing, hotels/motels, B&B’s, cafés, pubs, catering, cleaning companies, tradespersons, tool and equipment suppliers and many other businesses.
  • Located on the transmission line between Bendigo and Shepparton, the project will deliver clean, zero emissions electricity to meet the region’s energy needs and helps further the development of the Victorian clean energy industry.

Powering the Future

Fosterville Solar Farm will utilise state of the art solar photovoltaic panels mounted on a horizontal, single-axis tracking system that enable the panels to track the sun.

This technology operates in varying daylight conditions including low light and cloudy weather and is extremely efficient for generating clean electricity with minimal noise, water consumption or waste.

The solar farm would consist of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels similar to those installed throughout Australia on residential and commercial properties.

The panels will be mounted on steel frames supported by driven piles that will create minimal disturbance to the land. This will allow sheep to continue to graze in and around them once the solar farm is operational.

Once complete, Fosterville Solar Farm is expected to generate for up to 30 years.