October 7, 2019
The State Government is boasting that Queensland is a world leader in solar power, with solar panels now producing twice as much electricity as the State’s biggest power station.
Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said rooftops and solar farms together had just passed the 4000 megawatts milestone for generating capacity.
That’s compared with the 1680 megawatts of capacity of the State’s biggest power station at Gladstone.
Dr Lynham said more than 560,000 Queensland roofs now have solar systems and there are now 30 solar farms generating across the State.
According to the State Government:
- One-in-three Queensland households has solar, making Queensland a world leader
- Queensland has more solar systems than any other State
- Queensland boasts six of the top 10 solar postcodes in Australia
- Queensland has about 800 watts of solar, or about three solar panels, per person
- In August alone, almost 5000 business and residential solar systems were connected across Queensland.
- In the past 12 months, about 1400 megawatts of solar energy has come on line
- In 2018, a new solar system was installed every 12 minutes
Dr Lynham said almost 2500 households and small businesses have installed a battery system under the State Government’s solar and battery loans and grants scheme.
This program ends mid next year.
He said Queensland was on track to achieve its 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, and was forecast to hit 20 per cent next year.
