Solar-savvy Queensland households have helped the state reach an important solar energy target more than three years ahead of schedule.
Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the Bligh Government set a goal last year to double Queensland’s use of solar energy in five years. At that point in time, Queensland had an estimated 250 megawatts solar capacity. The Sunshine State now has 500 megawatts installed capacity, representing the equivalent of 141,000 average-size 1.5 kilowatt home solar power systems.
Minister Robertson credited Queensland’s Solar Bonus Scheme for much of the amazing result, saying it was one of the most successful solar feed in tariff initiatives in Australia. Under the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme, participating residential solar array owners are paid 44c for each kilowatt hour of surplus electricity generated that is exported to the mains grid.
“To date, more than 100,500 Queenslanders are participating in the scheme and have contributed 224 megawatts of the State’s 226 megawatts of installed solar PV generating capacity.”
The Queensland Government has also paid out $15.3 million in solar hot water rebates to more than 20,500 recipients to go towards the cost of replacing energy-hungry electric hot water systems with a solar hot water system or heat pump.
“Town by town and city by city, Queenslanders have built a Virtual Solar Power Station by installing solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop panels or solar hot water systems,” said the Minister, who also stated 8 percent of Queensland’s total generation capacity is now from renewables and the state is well on its way of achieving its major target of 20% by 2020.
While there was no indication of the Solar Bonus Scheme ending soon for new connections in any of the Minister’s comments, Mr Robertson said the Bligh Government will examine all of its renewable energy targets, including solar, as part of a review of the Queensland Renewable Energy Plan.
