RES Australia applied for two planning permits for the farm, which will share a site with the proposed Murra Warra wind farm.

The company predicts the farm will stimulate the economy by $15 million over 25 years and provide 120 direct and 200 indirect jobs during construction.

During operation, the farm will create three direct and nine indirect full-time jobs.

The proposed farm will have land in both Horsham Rural City and Yarriambiack municipalities.

Council planning officer David Young said the farm’s infrastructure would be located in Yarriambiack Shire, including power lines, switching yards and a quarry.

“The solar panels will be in Horsham Rural City,” he said.

“The proposed farm will include 900,000 solar panels, so it’s a decent size,” he said.

“This is a way for RES Australia to double the infrastructure for the wind farm, making it more viable and economical.”

The farm will provide energy for up to 83,000 Victorian homes.

Mr Young said there had been one objection to the proposal.

“The objection was in relation to two trees being removed, but these trees are subject to design work anyway  – the company hopes it won’t have to remove any trees, but have put them in the planning permit just in case,” he said.

Cr Tom Hamilton said it was a fantastic project for the shire.

“This will create ongoing jobs, especially during construction, which will bring huge benefits to the area,” he said.

“It’s a brilliant project and I can’t wait to see it.”

Cr Corinne Heintze said she had spoken to landholders in the area and there was unanimous support for the project.

When the solar farm is operational, RES Australia will provide an annual fund of $45,000 a year to support community developments.

Cr Heintze said this was great news for the region.

“Both Yarriambiack and Horsham residents will benefit from this fund,” she said.

Power generated from the solar farm will be connected to the terminal station for the Murra Warra wind farm and exported to the grid.

Yarriambiack Shire Council approved the planning permits at a meeting on Wednesday.

Mayor Graeme Massey said there were 29 conditions to the permit, but overall, it was a fairly straight-forward project.