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Solar power in Australia

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White Cliffs Solar Power Station, New South Wales

Solar power in Australia is a relatively recent phenomenon. Currently, it has over 4,100 megawatts (MW) of installed photovoltaic (PV) solar power (March 2015),[1] and 760 MW of PV was installed in the preceding 12 months. At a capacity factor of 14 percent, this would contribute 1.1 percent of Australia's electrical energy. The amount of installed PV capacity in Australia has increased 10-fold between 2009 and 2011. Feed-in tariffs and mandatory renewable energy targets designed to assist renewable energy commercialisation in Australia have largely been responsible for the rapid increase.

In South Australia, Premier Mike Rann introduced a solar feed in tariff for households and an educational program that involved installing photovoltaics on the roofs of major public buildings such as the Adelaide Airport, State Parliament, Museum, Art Gallery and several hundred public schools.[2] In 2008 Premier Rann announced funding for $8 million worth of solar panels on the roof of the new Goyder Pavilion at the Royal Adelaide Showgrounds, the largest roof top solar installation in Australia, qualifying it for official "power station" status.[3] South Australia has the highest per capita take up of household solar power in Australia.

The first commercial-scale PV power plant was opened in 2011, the Uterne Solar Power Station, a 1 MW capacity grid-connected solar photovoltaic system located 5 km south of Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.[4] The second opened in 2012 at Greenough River Solar Farm with a capacity of 10 MW.[5] The price of photovoltaics has been decreasing, and in January 2013, was less than half the cost of using grid electricity in Australia.[6]

The country has been criticised for producing very little of its energy from solar power, despite its vast resources, extensive sunshine and thus high potential.[7][8][9][10]

Potential

Solar potential in Australia

The combination of Australia's dry climate and latitude give it a high benefits and potential for solar energy production. Most of the Australian continent receives in excess of 4 kWh per square metre per day of insolation during winter months, with a region in the north exceeding 6 kWh/day.

Australia's insolation greatly exceeds the average values in Europe, Russia, and most of North America. Comparable levels are found in desert areas of northern and southern Africa, south western United States and adjacent area of Mexico, and regions on the Pacific coast of South America. However, the areas of highest insolation are distant to the country's population centres.

With an installed photovoltaic capacity of 3,300 megawatts by the end of 2013, Australia ranks among the world's top ten solar countries.

There is considerable academic and commercial interest in a new form of Concentrated Solar Power, called STEM, for off-grid applications to produce 24-hour industrial scale power for remote communities and mining sites. STEM uses fluidized silica sand as a thermal storage and heat transfer medium for CSP systems. It has been developed by Italy's Magaldi Industries. The first commercial application of STEM will take place in Sicily in late 2015.[11]

Incentives

Source: Australian PV Institute (reported year-end capacity in GW, rounded)[12]

Rebates

The Australian Government provided a rebate program that offered up to A$8,000 rebates for installing solar panels on homes and community use buildings (other than schools), through the Solar Homes and Communities Plan.[13] However, on 8 June 2009, this program was phased out, to be replaced by the Solar Credits Program, where an installation of a solar system would receive 5 times as many Renewable Energy Certificates for the first 1.5 kilowatts of capacity under the Renewable Energy Target (see below)[14]

Schools were eligible to apply for grants of up to A$50,000 to install 2 kW solar panels and other measures through the National Solar Schools Program beginning 1 July 2008, which replaced the Green Vouchers for Schools program.[15] Applications for the program ended 21 November 2012. A total of 2,870 schools have installed solar panels.[16] The output of each array can be viewed, and compared with that of up to four other schools.[17]

Feed-in tariffs

Main article: Feed-in tariffs in Australia

Feed in tariffs were introduced by a number of states to increase the amount of solar PV power generated. They can be classified by a number of factors including the price paid, whether it is on a net or gross export basis, the length of time payments are guaranteed, the maximum size of installation allowed and the type of customer allowed to participate. Many Australian state feed-in tariffs were net export tariffs, whereas conservation groups argued for gross feed-in tariffs. In March 2009, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) started a solar gross feed-in tariff. For systems up to 10 kW the payment was 50.05 cents per kWh. For systems from 10 kW to 30 kW the payment was 40.04 cents per kWh. The payment was revised downward once before an overall capacity cap was reached and the scheme closed. Payments are made quarterly based on energy generated and the payment rate is guaranteed for 20 years.[18][19] In Germany, a guaranteed PV tariff means that Germany now has the highest PV capacity per capita – at 10 W for every person in Germany compared to Australia at 2.6 W per capita.[20]

Mandatory renewable energy target

Main article: Mandatory renewable energy target

The Federal Government MRET will ensure renewable energy obtains a 20% share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020. The MRET will increase from 9,500 gigawatt-hours to 45,000 gigawatt-hours by 2020. The scheme lasts until 2030.[21]

The MRET requires wholesale purchasers of electricity (such as electricity retailers or industrial operations) to purchase Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), created through the generation of electricity from renewable sources. These sources include Wind, Hydro, Landfill Gas and Geothermal, as well as Solar PV and Solar Thermal, providing a stimulus and additional revenue for these technologies.

Subsidy funding

The Solar Flagships program sets aside $1.6 billion for solar power over a period of six years.[22] The government funding is for 4 new solar plants that produce coal plant scale power (in total up to 1000 MW - coal plants typically produce 500 to 2,000 MW). This subsidy would need additional funding from the plant builders and/or operators. As a comparison Abengoa Solar, a company currently constructing solar thermal plants, put the cost of a 300 MW plant at 1.2 billion euros in 2007. In 2009, the Arizona state government announced a 200 MW plant for 1 billion US dollars.[23][24]

Projects

Status by state

The list of solar power projects below is not complete as there are many more sites that have solar power or hybrid solar/wind systems to generate their own power needs. Projects with a power rating less than 30 kW are not listed.

State Project/Location Coordinates Capacity kW Status LGA Company Notes
NSW Nyngan Solar Plant 31°33′23″S 147°04′53″E / 31.5563°S 147.08152°E / -31.5563; 147.08152 102,000 2015 - Fully commissioned in June. Commissioned in stages. Bogan Shire AGL Energy CdTe thin-film technology. Is the largest solar PV plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Capacity: 102 MWAC.[25][26][27][28]
NSW Moree Solar Farm 29°33′58″S 149°50′55″E / 29.56621°S 149.84853°E / -29.56621; 149.84853 56,000 Full power achieved March 2016. Moree Plains Shire Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Photovoltaic, single axis tracking.[29]
NSW Broken Hill Solar Plant 31°59′19″S 141°23′05″E / 31.98871°S 141.3846°E / -31.98871; 141.3846 53,000 2014 - Commissioned July. Full power output achieved on 14 October 2015. Broken Hill AGL Energy CdTe thin-film technology. Capacity given in AC (53 MWAC).[30]
QLD Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project 26°54′00″S 150°43′59″E / 26.90°S 150.733°E / -26.90; 150.733 44,000 2011 - Under Construction December CS Energy Solar thermal[31]
ACT Royalla solar farm 35°29′24″S 149°08′42″E / 35.490°S 149.145°E / -35.490; 149.145 20,000 2014 - Commissioned September Canberra Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) Photovoltaic[32]
QLD Valdora Solar Farm 26°33′35″S 153°01′32″E / 26.5596°S 153.0256°E / -26.5596; 153.0256 15,000 2015 - Council DA Approval required early 2015. Tender due in first quarter 2015.[33] Sunshine Coast (Tender) Photovoltaic [34]
ACT Mugga Lane Solar Park 35°23′56″S 149°08′49″E / 35.39898°S 149.14687°E / -35.39898; 149.14687 13,000 Awarded feed-in tariff via ACT reverse auction. Expected completion 2016. Canberra Zhenfa Photovoltaic[35]
WA Greenough River Solar Farm 28°53′20″S 115°07′05″E / 28.889°S 115.118°E / -28.889; 115.118 10,000 2012 - Commissioned October[5][36] City of Greater Geraldton Verve Energy and GE Financial Services Photovoltaic
NT Uterne Solar Power Station, Alice Springs 23°46′06″S 133°52′05″E / 23.768382°S 133.868033°E / -23.768382; 133.868033 4,100 2011 - Commissioned 2011 (1000)
2015 - added 3100 		SunPower Corporation / Power and Water Corporation / Epuron Photovoltaic[4][37]
NT Darwin International Airport 4,000 2016 - To be commissioned in March City of Darwin CAT Projects / Coronium Q-CELL photovoltaic panels[38]
SA Jamestown Wastewater Treatment Plant 33°12'17.82"S

138°34'45.07"E

3,500 2015 - Commissioned April Northern Areas Infratech Industries Floating, tracking photovolatic[39]
SA Tonsley 3,000 2014 - Announced Zen Energy Photovoltaic[40]
NSW Lake Cargelligo Solar Thermal Power Station 33°18′37″S 146°24′37″E / 33.31015°S 146.41024°E / -33.31015; 146.41024 3,000 2011 Lachlan Shire Graphite Energy / Solastor Concentrating solar thermal, graphite block technologyc[41][42][43]
QLD Weipa bauxite mine 12°38'51.92"S

141°51'32.47"E

1,700 2015 - Commissioned (1.7 MW), opportunity to expand to 6.7 WM with storage Rio Tinto Group, First Solar Photovoltaic[44]
SA Sundrop Farms 32°33'5.91"S

137°50'36.34"E

1,500 2015 - Under construction October Port Augusta Sundrop Farms Concentrated solar thermal
NT Casuarina Square 12°22'29.67"S

130°52'53.60"E

1,250 2015 - Practical completion City of Darwin GPT Group Photovoltaic[45]
QLD University of Queensland St Lucia campus 27°29′52″S 153°00′46″E / 27.4978°S 153.0128°E / -27.4978; 153.0128 1,220 2011 - Completed July Ingenero, Trina Solar, RedFlow Photovoltaic[46][47]
SA Adelaide Showgrounds 34°56′43″S 138°35′12″E / 34.945355°S 138.586626°E / -34.945355; 138.586626 1,000 2009 - Completed Built Environs and Solar Shop Australia[48] Photovoltaic[49][50]
NSW Liddell Power Station[51] 32°22′29″S 150°58′44″E / 32.374851°S 150.979013°E / -32.374851; 150.979013 1,000 Complete Solar Heat and Power / Macquarie Generation Solar thermal
NSW IKEA Tempe 33°55'21.54"S

151° 9'54.39"E

990 2014 - Commissioned Marrickville Kingspan Solar, Yingli, SMA Photovoltaic[52]
VIC IKEA Springvale 37°55'36.54"S

145° 8'38.10"E

950 2014 - Commissioned Photovoltaic[53]
QLD IKEA Logan 27°38'16.60"S

153° 8'7.23"E

741 2014 - Commissioned Photovoltaic[53]
VIC IKEA Richmond 37°48'44.39"S

145° 0'40.36"E

721 2014 - Commissioned Photovoltaic[53]
VIC Bridgewater Solar Plant, Bridgewater, Victoria 36°35′S 143°55′E / 36.59°S 143.91°E / -36.59; 143.91 500 2010 - Commissioned Shire of Loddon Silex Systems Ltd Australia's largest concentrator photovoltaics (CPV) solar power station[54]
VIC Toyota Altona North 37°49′48″S 144°49′44″E / 37.83°S 144.829°E / -37.83; 144.829 500 2013-2014 Commissioned Melbourne Autonomous Energy Largest rooftop system in Victoria[55]
SA KJM Contractors 34°44'2.68"S

138°37'39.08"E

495 2013 - Commissioned City of Playford Ingenero, Clenergy Photovoltaic[56]
NSW Singleton Solar Farm 32°35′28″S 151°10′37″E / 32.591°S 151.177°E / -32.591; 151.177 407 1998 - Commissioned Built By Energy Australia

Sold to XYZ Solar Pty Ltd in June 2014

Photovoltaic

Polycrystalline 60W panels 200 kW ThinFilm 60W panels 207 kW Tweets: @singletonsolar

NT Kalkarindji 402 2011 - Commissioned[57] Epuron Photovoltaic,[58] part of 3-site TKLN Power project[57]
QLD Fraser Coast Solar Farm 25°20′35″S 152°50′31″E / 25.343°S 152.842°E / -25.343; 152.842 401 2012 - Commissioned November Ingenero Photovoltaic, 1,630x 250W Suntech monocrystalline
VIC NextDC M1 Data Centre, Port Melbourne, Victoria 401 2013 - Completed December Energy Matters Will be Australia's largest privately owned rooftop photovoltaic solar system[59]
SA Ware Products P/L 34°32'5.57"S

138°45'9.87"E

334 2013 - Commissioned Light Regional Council Class A Energy Solutions Photovoltaic[60]
NT Ti Tree 22° 7'26.69"S

133°24'51.68"E

324[61] 2011 - Commissioned[57] Epuron Photovoltaic, part of 3-site TKLN Power project[57]
NT Crowne Plaza Alice Springs 23°43′09″S 133°52′39″E / 23.719060°S 133.877619°E / -23.719060; 133.877619 305 2009 - Commissioned SunPower / CAT Projects Photovoltaic[62]
WA Marble Bar 21° 9'52.02"S

119°44'27.96"E

304[63] 2011 Pilbara SunPower, Horizon Power, SMA[63] Single-axis tracking photovoltaic[64][65]
VIC Ballarat Solar Park. Ballarat Aerodrome. Mitchell Park, Ballarat. 37°30′S 143°48′E / 37.50°S 143.80°E / -37.50; 143.80 300 2009 - Commissioned Ballarat Origin Energy / Sharp Corporation Photovoltaic. Victoria's first ground mounted, flat plate and grid-connected solar farm[66][67]
WA Solar Farm Carnarvon 300 2011 Carnarvon Energy Made Clean First PPA Solar farm in WA with Horizon Power
VIC Bendigo Solar Park. 36°45′S 144°15′E / 36.75°S 144.25°E / -36.75; 144.25 300 2009 - Commissioned Bendigo Origin Energy / Sharp Corporation Photovoltaic. Victoria's first ground mounted, flat plate and grid-connected solar farm[66][67]
NT Lajamanu 18°20′17″S 130°37′59″E / 18.338°S 130.633°E / -18.338; 130.633 288 2005 - Commissioned Solar Systems Photovoltaic
NSW Australia Post, Sydney 33°31′57″S 151°07′19″E / 33.53248°S 151.12185°E / -33.53248; 151.12185 283 2014 - Commissioned Photon Energy One of Australia's largest rooftop PV installation. Part of a general refurbishment of Australia Post's Sydney HQ.[68]
NT Alpurrurulam (Lake Nash) 266[69] 2011 - Commissioned[70] Epuron Part of 3-site TKLN Power project[57]
NT Kings Canyon Solar Power Station 24°15′00″S 131°34′12″E / 24.250°S 131.570°E / -24.250; 131.570 241 2003 - Commissioned NT PowerWater Photovoltaic
NT Alice Springs Airport 23°47′45″S 133°53′47″E / 23.795840°S 133.896518°E / -23.795840; 133.896518 235 2010 - Commissioned 4 November Ingenero / CAT Projects Concentrated photovoltaics[71][72]
SA Living Choice 34°57'28.49"S

138°37'7.37"E

230 2014 - Commissioned August Solar Depot Commercial Photovoltaic[73]
NSW Ace Gutters 33°57′36″S 151°04′05″E / 33.96°S 151.068°E / -33.96; 151.068 225 2013 Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Specifically designed mounting structures due to unique wind loading factors[74]
WA Nullagine 21°52'47.34"S

120° 6'42.25"E

203[75] 2011 Pilbara SunPower, Horizon Power, PowerCorp, SMA[75] Single-axis tracking photovoltaic[64]
QLD Queensland University of Technology (QUT) 27°28′41″S 153°01′44″E / 27.478°S 153.029°E / -27.478; 153.029 202 2012 - Completed November Brisbane Ingenero Photovoltaic, 250W Suntech and 328W SunPower polycrystalline
NT Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre, Alice Springs 23°45′43″S 133°52′30″E / 23.761852°S 133.874996°E / -23.761852; 133.874996 201 2008 - Commissioned Desert Knowledge Australia / CAT Projects Various photovoltaic[76][77]
ACT Faulding B 200[78] 2016 - Commissioned Symonston Photon Energy Rooftop power plant[79]
VIC Queen Victoria Market 37°48′25″S 144°57′36″E / 37.807°S 144.960°E / -37.807; 144.960 200 2003 - Commissioned Melbourne City Council Photovoltaic
SA Adelaide Aqua – Adelaide Desalination Plant 35° 5'48.57"S

138°29'2.68"E

200 2011 - Commissioned SA Water / Adelaide Aqua Consortium Photovoltaic[80]
SA D'Arenberg Winery 35°11'43.81"S

138°33'9.86"E

200 2013 - Commissioned Onkaparinga The Solar Project, Hanwha Q Cells Photovoltaic[81]
NSW Johnson & Johnson Medical 33°45′S 151°01′E / 33.75°S 151.01°E / -33.75; 151.01 200 2010 - Commissioned September Energy Matters Photovoltaic
NSW Blacktown Workers and Sports Clubs 33°46′12″S 150°54′29″E / 33.77°S 150.908°E / -33.77; 150.908 33°47′24″S 150°53′46″E / 33.79°S 150.896°E / -33.79; 150.896 200 2012-2013 Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Nomination and collection of Clean Energy Week Award 2013 "Best Grid-Connected Solar PV Power System Design and Installation Award" (15 kW - 100 kW category)[82][83][84]
QLD Bundaberg Christian College 24.8685° S,

152.4060° E

197 2016 Commissioned Bundaberg GEM Energy Australia Photovoltaic, 740x Q CELLS Q.PRO G4 modules, 400kWh Hitachi AVRLA with Nano-Carbon Technology batteries.
SA Torresan Estate 35°12'35.98"S

138°31'3.98"E

193 2014 - Commissioned Onkaparinga Photovoltaic[85]
NT Yuendumu 22°15′29″S 131°47′49″E / 22.258°S 131.797°E / -22.258; 131.797 192 2005 - Commissioned Solar Systems Photovoltaic
NT Hermannsburg 23°55′59″S 132°46′01″E / 23.933°S 132.767°E / -23.933; 132.767 192 2005 - Commissioned Solar Systems Photovoltaic
NSW Sydney Markets Limited 33°51′36″S 151°04′08″E / 33.86°S 151.069°E / -33.86; 151.069 170 2014 - Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Pioneering the construction of solar car ports in Australia.[86] Finalist nomination for 2014 Clean Energy Week Awards in the over 100 kW category[87]
NT Araluen Arts Centre 23°42′04″S 133°51′43″E / 23.701°S 133.862°E / -23.701; 133.862 162 2012 - Completed Ingenero Photovoltaic, 648x Q-Cells monocrystalline
SA Seppeltsfield Wines 34°29'23.67"S

138°55'15.29"E

160 2014 - Commissioned Photovoltaic[88]
NSW Southern Cross Care 31°58′12″S 141°27′43″E / 31.97°S 141.462°E / -31.97; 141.462 150 2012 - Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Large system to provide power needs for aged care facility[89]
SA Morphett Vale Medical Centre 35° 6'20.53"S

138°31'32.07"E

150 2014 - Commissioned Onkaparinga Todae Solar, Thoroughtec P/L Photovoltaic[90]
WA Australian Wool Testing Authority 32°06′01″S 115°48′22″E / 32.100314°S 115.806208°E / -32.100314; 115.806208 150 2013 - Commissioned City of Cockburn Perth Infinite Energy Photovoltaic 625 x 240W Conergy Power Plus polycrystalline
QLD Windorah Solar Farm 26°24′50″S 142°39′38″E / 26.4139°S 142.6606°E / -26.4139; 142.6606 150 2008 - Completed October Ergon Energy, Solar Systems Photovoltaic[91]
ACT Faulding A 148[92] 2016 - Commissioned Symonston Photon Energy Rooftop power plant[93]
NSW Pymble Ladies' College 33°46′48″S 151°08′02″E / 33.78°S 151.134°E / -33.78; 151.134 145 2012-2014 Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy 3 stage implementation 145 kW photovoltaic modules, another leading private school[94]
ACT Symonston 144[95] 2012 - Commissioned Photon Energy Rooftop power plant[96]
ACT Fyshwick 140[97] 2012 - Commissioned Photon Energy Rooftop power plant[98]
SA Adelaide Showgrounds - Ridley Centre 34°56'44.92"S

138°35'19.40"E

140 Built Environs and Solar Shop Australia Photovoltaic, thin film[99]
NSW Sydney Corporate Park, Alexandria 33°54′36″S 151°11′31″E / 33.91°S 151.192°E / -33.91; 151.192 120 2013 Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Custom designed steel frames[100]
NSW Methodist Ladies' College 33°52′12″S 151°06′04″E / 33.87°S 151.101°E / -33.87; 151.101 113 2013-2014 Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy 2 stage implementation of photovoltaic modules, another leading private school[101]
NSW Newington College 33°53′24″S 151°09′43″E / 33.89°S 151.162°E / -33.89; 151.162 108 2014 - Commissioned Sydney Autonomous Energy Leading private school adopting solar photovoltaics[102]
SA Wilpena Pound 31°34′12″S 138°34′48″E / 31.570°S 138.580°E / -31.570; 138.580 100 1998 - Commenced AGL Energy Photovoltaic[103]
QLD Coorparoo DC 27°18′S 153°02′E / 27.30°S 153.03°E / -27.30; 153.03 100 2012 - Completed December SEQ Energy Solutions Pty Ltd Photovoltaic
VIC Hilton Manufacturing 38°01′48″S 145°11′49″E / 38.03°S 145.197°E / -38.03; 145.197 100 2015 - Commissioned 2015 Melbourne Metpro Green Energy Photovoltaic[104]
NSW Macquarie Park 99[105] 2015 - Commissioned Sydney Photon Energy Rooftop power plant on raised steel frames, creating storage space[106]
VIC Fenning Timber 99 2013 Bairnsdale Solar Sunwerx Photovoltaic [107]
VIC SeaViews Manor 90 2013 Ocean Grove Solar Sunwerx Photovoltaic [108]
QLD Jaques Coffee Plantation 16°57′43″S 145°26′17″E / 16.962°S 145.438°E / -16.962; 145.438 80.5 2012 - Commissioned May NSE Solar Photovoltaic, 322 x 250w Xinyou XY250-96F/M5 [109]
NSW Sydney Superdome Solar Array 33°52′12″S 151°10′12″E / 33.870°S 151.170°E / -33.870; 151.170 70 1999 - Commissioned Built by Energy Australia

Sold to XYZ Solar Pty Ltd in June 2014

Photovoltaic ThinFilm 60W panels

Tweets: @Superdomesolar

NSW Building 46, Newington Armoury 33°51′S 151°04′E / 33.85°S 151.07°E / -33.85; 151.07 64 1999 - Commissioned

2007 - Refurbished

Sydney Olympic Park Authority Photovoltaic
QLD Moorooka Shopping Centre 27°31′52″S 153°01′23″E / 27.531°S 153.023°E / -27.531; 153.023 60 2010 - Commissioned December Brisbane Ingenero Photovoltaic 300x 200W Suntech polycrystalline
NT Bulman 13°39′36″S 134°19′48″E / 13.660°S 134.330°E / -13.660; 134.330 56 2002 - Commissioned 2002 NT PowerWater Photovoltaic
WA Carnarvon 24°54′00″S 113°43′01″E / 24.900°S 113.717°E / -24.900; 113.717 51.1 2005 - Commissioned (15.8)
2007 - added 30.2
2012 - added 5.1 		Shire of Carnarvon Alexander Fullarton Photovoltaic
NSW Dubbo 32°15′S 148°37′E / 32.25°S 148.62°E / -32.25; 148.62 50 1998 - Commissioned Country Energy Photovoltaic
SA Kingscote Airport 35°42'32.11"S

137°31'27.72"E

50 2013 - Commissioned Kangaroo Island Ingenero Photovoltaic[110]
NSW Queanbeyan 35°21′00″S 149°13′48″E / 35.350°S 149.230°E / -35.350; 149.230 50 1999 - Commissioned Country Energy Photovoltaic
NSW GPG Solar 32°15′S 148°37′E / 32.25°S 148.62°E / -32.25; 148.62 45 2008 - commissioned GPG Photovoltaic
NSW Nimbin Community Solar Farm 45 2011 Lismore Rainbow Power Company & Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre Photovoltaic [111][112][113][114]
NSW White Cliffs Solar Power Station 30°51′22″S 143°05′20″E / 30.856°S 143.089°E / -30.856; 143.089 45 1981 - Constructed 25 kW,
1996 - upgraded
2004 - decommissioned 		ANUTECH [115] Originally steam piston
then photovoltaic
ACT Parliament House Solar Power Pilot Project 35°18′29″S 149°07′26″E / 35.308°S 149.124°E / -35.308; 149.124 43 2011 - Commissioned Canberra Todae Solar / Silex Systems Ltd Photovoltaic[116][117]

Victoria

The 100 MW PV Mildura Solar Concentrator Power Station, formerly expected to be completed in 2017, is now cancelled.[118] It was expected to be the biggest and most efficient solar photovoltaic power station in the world. The power station was expected to concentrate the sun by 500 times onto the solar cells for ultra high power output. The Victorian power station would have generated electricity directly from the sun to meet the annual needs of over 45,000 homes with on-going zero greenhouse gas emissions.[119]

Western Australia

Western Australia now (Oct 2012) has one of the largest solar power farms in Australia, at Walkaway, 70 km SE of Geraldton. The Greenough River Solar farm was opened in October 2012. The 10MW field has 150,000 solar panels.

Northern Territory

There are 30 solar concentrator dishes at three locations in the Northern Territory: Hermannsburg, Yuendumu and Lajamanu. Solar Systems and the Federal government were involved in the projects.

The solar concentrator dish power stations together generate 720 kW and 1,555,000 kWh per year, representing a saving of 420,000 litres of diesel and 1,550 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.[120]

The solar power stations at these three remote indigenous communities in Australia's Northern Territory are constructed using Solar Systems' CS500 concentrator dish systems. The project cost A$7M, offset by a grant from the Australian and Northern Territory Governments under their Renewable Remote Power Generation Program.[121]

The project won a prestigious Engineering Excellence award in 2005.[121]

The Federal Government has funded over 120 innovative small-scale standalone solar systems in remote indigenous communities, designed by Bushlight, incorporating sophisticated demand side management systems with user-friendly interfaces.

Australian Capital Territory

A new 20 MWp solar power plant has been built on 50 hectares of land in Royalla, a rural part of the Australian Capital Territory south of Canberra. It is powered by 83,000 solar panels, and can power for 4,400 homes. It was officially opened on 3 September 2014. It is the first solar plant facility in the Australian capital, and at the time of building the largest such plant in Australia. The facility was built by a Spanish company, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV).[32][122]

Solar cities program

Main article: Solar Cities in Australia

Solar Cities is a demonstration programme designed to promote solar power, smart meters, and energy conservation in urban locations throughout Australia.[123] One such location is Townsville, Queensland.[124][125]

Renewable Energy Master Plan 2030

The Council of Sydney is attempting to make the city run 100% on renewable energy by 2030. This plan was announced earlier in 2014 with the blueprints made public on their website.[126] This ambitious plan was recently awarded the 2014 Eurosolar prize in the category of "Towns/municipalities, council districts and public utilities".[127]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Australian PV market since April 2001". apvi.org.au.
  2. ^ Centre for National Policy, What States Can Do: Climate Change Policy, April 4, 2012
  3. ^ http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ June 2, 2008. "Adelaide Showgrounds to have nations biggest solar power project"
  4. ^ a b "Account Suspended". alicesolarcity.com.au. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ a b Australia's Greenough River Solar Farm Opens Amid Renewable Target Debate, Reuters, Rebekah Kebede, 9 October 2012
  6. ^ "Solar Electricity Now Under Half The Cost Of Grid Power For Australian Households". CleanTechnica.
  7. ^ Sunniest places in the world, Current Results.com
  8. ^ "Is Australia falling out of love with solar power?". BBC News. 5 February 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  9. ^ "In Australia, businesses are getting hit with a $500 fee designed to kill solar power". ThinkProgress. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  10. ^ "US solar giant quits Australia". Renew Economy. Retrieved 17 August 2014.
  11. ^ "CSP Today". Italian project shows strong potential for sand based CSP. 11 April 2014.
  12. ^ "Australian PV market since April 2001". Australian PV Institute. Retrieved 16 August 2015.
  13. ^ Solar Homes and Communities Plan
  14. ^ Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator
  15. ^ The National Solar Schools Program is on the way
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  119. ^ 154MW Victorian Project
  120. ^ Solar Systems projects
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