Solar powers Queensland

Queensland solar panels can now produce 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 to the 1680 megawatts of capacity of the state’s biggest power station at Gladstone.

“More than 560,000 Queensland rooves now sport solar systems and 30 solar farms are now generating across the state,” Dr Lynham said.

“The incentives in the Palaszczuk Government’s Affordable Energy Plan are fuelling the renewable energy switch by Queenslanders and unlocking new market segments and jobs for solar installers.

“Under our solar and battery scheme that provides loans and grants, almost 2500 households and small businesses have installed a battery system with a further 1500 people with approval to do so before the program ends mid next year

“Queenslanders are embracing solar energy because they know that solar reduces power bills and carbon emissions.”

Dr Lynham 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.

“And we are also turning our remote isolated communities renewable, like Lockhart River and Doomadgee Aboriginal communities, where solar is replacing expensive, high emission diesel,” he said.

“Work is underway extending an existing solar farm at Doomadgee, Mapoon is next cab off the rank, and government officials have started talks with Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional councils.”

Solar success stats:

• One in three Queensland households has solar, making Queensland a world leader.
• We have more solar systems than any other state.
• Queensland boasts six of the top ten 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.

 [ENDS]

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