BP Solar is partnering with Verve Energy as the lead contractor to build Australia's largest ever grid-connected solar power plant, a 10 megawatt (MW) utility scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Western Australia.

"With funding support from the WA Government, Royalties for Regions Scheme and the Office of Energy, this project will deliver a long term supply of clean energy to the communities in and around Geraldton and contribute to the WA Government's 20 per cent renewable energy target by 2020," said Tony Stocken, Director of BP Solar Australia.

Energy Minister Peter Collier said the $58 million solar photovoltaic energy project to built in Geraldton would generate up to 10 megawatt hours of electricity each year.

"It will facilitate the development of larger projects in the future and is likely to reduce renewable energy costs in the medium to long term," he said at the annual Energy in WA Conference.

The project is valued at over $A50 million with BP Solar carrying out the engineering and construction (EPC) activity and the operation and maintenance of the plant once constructed.

More than 40,000 panels will be installed and mounted on around 4,300 tables to track the movement of the sun and thus maximise output, BP Solar said.

Work will commence in early 2011 supporting about 50 jobs during the construction period. Commissioning is planned for late 2011. The plant will support three full-time jobs when operational.