The local government-run Sunshine Coast Solar Farm has reached a milestone.

The first solar panels are being put in place at the large-scale solar farm, which is designed to supply power for all Sunshine Coast Council infrastructure when it is completed next year.

The $50 million project is estimated to be able to save ratepayers more than $22 million after costs in the next 30 years.

The 24-hectare, 57,000 panel array will be Queensland’s largest solar farm and the fifth largest in Australia.

The Sunshine Coast Council had no Federal Government assistance with the costs, but has still managed to get the major project happening, something that has piqued the interest of other councils.

The farm will be fairly low maintenance once in operation, and the council is even thinking of using livestock like sheep or llamas to keep the grass down, further reducing costs.

The site has both advantages and challenges, picked for its flat terrain and proximity to a 33kV power line.

But the site is also a flood plain, so to mitigate that risk the panels will sit about four metres off the ground.