Are There Any Solar Farms In Australia?

Posted in: Solar Power, Panels & Batteries
Solar Flow Team
March 6, 2023

When looking at alternative energy sources, Australia is a fantastic place to start, particularly as it relates to solar.

Australia’s abundant sunshine and wide open spaces make it an ideal location for massive solar farms that might provide renewable energy to the country’s homes and businesses.

In this article, we will investigate the solar farms that are already in operation in Australia, talk about the pros and cons of solar power in comparison to more conventional energy sources, and learn about the contributions of Australians to these eco-friendly endeavours.

If you’re curious about Australia’s efforts to develop renewable energy sources, you’ve come to the right place.

Solar Farms In Australia: A Guide

Welcome to Australia, a land of enormous pineapple, fairy bread, and more sunshine than you can shake a stick at! (see: sunburn).

Over the past decade, we’ve decided to begin productively utilising the sun’s energy by building massive solar farms to supply renewable electricity to the national grid.

Australian Solar Farms

Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of solar energy, and the proliferation of solar panels has greatly aided the country’s transition to renewable energy sources. Large-scale solar farms in Australia convert the sun’s energy directly into usable electricity.

Solar farms would thrive in Australia due to the country’s large size and high levels of sunlight. There is a wide variety of solar farms in the country, ranging from residential systems to massive utility-scale facilities.

The Coleambally Solar Farm in New South Wales is 150 MW, the Tailem Bend Solar Farm in South Australia is 137 MW, and the Bungala Solar Farm in South Australia is 100 MW.

Several environmental and economic advantages accrue to solar farms in Australia. Solar farms are useful for reducing GHG emissions and adapting to climate change because they generate electricity from a renewable resource.

They are a good investment for businesses and governments because they provide a stable source of energy that is not as vulnerable to price fluctuations as conventional fossil fuels.

Solar farms not only provide renewable energy, but also help local economies by providing jobs.

Rural areas are home to many solar farms because of the economic benefits they bring to the surrounding community.

Landowners who agree to have solar panels installed on their property also benefit financially.

It’s true that Australia has made great strides in its transition to renewable energy, but the country still faces significant obstacles.

The country’s electricity grid was built to support large-scale power plants, so it can be difficult to incorporate renewable energy sources like solar farms.

However, solar farms can play a significant role in Australia’s transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future with the proper policies and investments.

How Much Energy Do Solar Farms Produce?

The Clean Energy Council reports that in 2018, large-scale solar farms contributed barely 0.8% of Australia’s total electricity generation.

This may not seem like much, but when put in context with the fact that renewables still only account for a fraction of our overall electricity generation, their contribution becomes clearer

According to the Clean Energy Council, large-scale solar PV accounted for 3.9% of all renewable energy generated in 2018, with that share expected to expand as 42 new solar farms are built over the next several years.

When fully operational, its Harlin Solar Farm, the largest of the bunch, is expected to provide electricity to 300,000 homes annually, or about a third of Brisbane.

Can The Grid Support Energy Generation From Solar Farms?

Whether or whether the grid already has the infrastructure to facilitate the switch from coal to renewable energy is a hotly debated topic.

While proponents of renewable energy sources like solar contend that the country can meet all or almost all of its electricity needs with a little initial investment, critics aren’t afraid to point out that Australia is far from meeting this goal.

What Was The Name Of Australia’s First Solar Farm?

Although large-scale solar farms appear to have experienced an explosive expansion in recent years, this sector has only recently come to our attention.

With its 1MW capacity, Alice Springs’ Uterne Solar Power Station was the world’s first commercial-scale solar farm.

It met around 1% of the city’s electricity needs. Greenough River Solar Farm, a utility-scale facility with a 10MW capacity, began operations near Geraldton, Western Australia, in 2012.

Solar Farm Construction In Australia

The Use Of Large-Scale Solar Power Is Increasing

Construction on solar farms in Australia has skyrocketed in recent years. Developers and investors in solar farms are optimistic about the future of large- and medium-scale solar power due to falling costs and a stabilising market.

In contrast to smaller commercial solar installations, known as “solar panels,” solar farms will typically be megawatt-scale in size, ground-mounted rather than roof-mounted, and constructed to sell energy to the electrical grid or to an assigned purchaser, who will typically be a large energy user as well as an electricity retailer.

Mount Majura Solar Farm inside the Australian Capital Territory and the 2GW Bulli Creek Solar Farm – in Queensland are just two examples of the many solar farms across Australia that Solar Choice has built or is currently building.

Solar Farm Rental Income Vs. Solar Farm Ownership

The most direct way for landowners to profit from such a solar farm is via a long-term payment of rent for the usage of their land.

Developing, financing, and operating a solar farm on your own can be costly, and the associated dangers can be substantial, so it’s usually best to let professionals handle it.

One must think about who will buy the electricity produced by the solar farm if they intend to pay for and own it outright. You can go one of three ways:

It is you who will be using the power. This alternative is viable for large facilities with high electrical demands during the day, such as industrial farms.
You and another organisation will enter a power purchase contract (PPA). In this scenario, you’ll have struck a deal with a major energy user or an electrical retailer to sell them the power generated by your solar farm at a set price. To negotiate a PPA successfully, you will need time, expertise, and experience.
This power will be sold on the National Electricity Market and injected into the system (NEM). You might skip the regulatory process and try your luck with revenues on the open or regulated market if your proposed solar farm is located on Australia’s east coast or as part of one of the other, smaller grids nationwide. Given the unpredictability and volatility of wholesale electricity markets, this strategy carries the greatest risk.

Are Solar Farms Worth The Investment?

Farming as a means of making money is not always easy. The rising cost of living, especially energy, has made it more difficult for farmers to keep their income streams stable in the 21st century.

There are no additional labour involved or maintenance costs associated with using solar power on your farm.

There is no requirement for water, fertilisers, pesticides, veterinarian fees, early mornings, or evening paddock checks. Using renewable energy to power your farm has no downsides.

The sunlight does all the work for you, saving you money and giving you more time because of how little upkeep is required.

How Can A Solar Farm Be Started In Australia?

Before such a solar installation could begin, a geotechnical evaluation is required to establish which sun mounting structure can be used and if the solar PV system will be protected under warranty.

This property is perfect for the solar farm because:

A gentle southerly slope of up to 5 degrees is possible.
Reasonable Premises (not too soft requiring concrete foundation, not too hard requiring pre-drilling)
Convenient proximity to power plants (avoiding costly trenching and cabling)
Heights that, when heightened to their full potential, place them above the level of a 100-year flood
If the installation is over 100 kilowatts, it must be hidden from the sight of surrounding homes.
Without any neighbouring trees to block the sun

Shed and farm building roofs could provide a significant portion of the answer to lower operational costs.

A Solar Farm’s Financial Advantages

Return On Investment For Solar Farms

When you factor in how little time and money are needed to maintain a solar farm, how much money you’ll save on your electricity bills every month, and how, in some cases, you’ll be guaranteed a certain amount of money every month, you can see why investing in one makes so much sense.

In addition, there are no moving parts in a solar farm connected to the grid, and the panels have a 25-year production guarantee.

The value of your farm will increase dramatically as a side effect of adding solar panels.

Large-scale Generating Certificates can be produced at a solar farm if approved as a power plant (LGC). As a result, these LGCs are marketable.

The Environmental Advantages Of Establishing A Solar Farm

But, it’s unclear if solar farms are good or detrimental to the planet. Despite widespread belief, neither chemical spills nor the installation of solar farm panels poses any threat to the environment. Solar panels are often made with minimal environmental impact due to their primary ingredients (aluminium, glass, and sand).

One way to help the planet is to build a solar farm. Solar power is clean and renewable, so it can help us use less fossil fuels and slow global warming.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

The decreased carbon footprint is one of the most important environmental benefits of setting up a solar farm. Greenhouse gases are the primary causes of climate change, but solar energy systems produce electricity without releasing any of these gases into the atmosphere.

To mitigate the effects of global warming, we must switch from using fossil fuels to solar power.

Reduced Water Usage

Coal and natural gas power plants, the two most common types, require substantial amounts of water for cooling purposes. In areas where water is scarce, this can have a devastating effect.

However, solar farms don’t need water for cooling, so they can contribute to reducing water consumption.

Reduced Land Use

When compared to conventional power plants, solar farms take up significantly less space. Land that is unfit for agriculture or other purposes, such as landfills or brownfields, can be converted into solar farms. This can lessen the strain on ecosystems and save precious farmland.

Reduced Air Pollution

Air quality and human health can be negatively impacted by the emissions of traditional power plants, which include sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

By contrast, because solar farms don’t produce any harmful byproducts, they can help enhance local air quality and lessen the likelihood of respiratory illnesses and other health problems.

Reduced Environmental Impact of Fuel Transport

Transporting fuel to conventional power plants, like coal or natural gas, can have serious consequences for the environment. Pollution in the air, water, and land is all possible outcomes of fuel transportation.

Solar farms have less of an effect on the environment than other types of power plants because they don’t need fuel to operate.

The carbon footprint, water usage, land use, air pollution, and energy used to transport fuel are just some of the environmental benefits that can result from setting up a solar farm.

If we switch to solar power, we can lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and work to slow global warming.

While the initial cost to build a solar farm is high, many local governments and businesses find the long-term environmental and financial benefits to be well worth the expense.

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Farms

How many solar farms are in Australia?

Australia has a lot of sun and desert space, positioning the country well to continue being an energy exporter in the net zero eras.

Are solar farms profitable in Australia?

Selling your land for a solar farm can be lucrative. Alternatively, allocating a portion of your land to lease for a solar farm opens up a diversified and dependable income stream.

Responsibly designed solar can be a partner that supports the success of Australia’s rural communities for generations to come.

Why doesn’t Australia use solar power?

Solar Power in Australia

Or else it will be terrifying for the investors. Such a plan would take years to be a reality.

The changing governance of the country and funds should agree with the project to make it successful.

None of this makes it impossible to build solar in Australia.

Can you build a solar farm in Australia?

Although there is no strict limit on capacity, ground-mounted solar farms typically start at roughly 500 kW (1 MW = 1,000 kW). However, installations more prominent than 5 MW are still significant occurrences in Australia.

Generally, a 1MW solar farm will typically occupy 2-3 hectares of land.

Where is the largest solar farm in Australia?

France’s Neoen has started exports to the grid and is rapidly advancing toward full production at the massive 400 MW solar farm it has developed in Queensland, Australia.

Conclusion

Australia ranks among the world’s top solar power generators because of its widespread use of solar farms that harness the sun’s rays and convert them into electricity.

Adapting to a changing climate and decreasing glasshouse gas emissions both benefit from solar farms, which also provide a reliable source of energy that is less susceptible to price fluctuations than traditional fossil fuels.

Canstar Blue has compiled data on solar farms across Australia, including their locations and potential electricity output, to aid in making decisions about installing large-scale solar power in individual states.

Solar farms contribute to sustainable energy and economic growth by creating local employment opportunities. In 2018, large-scale solar PV accounted for 3.9% of Australia’s renewable energy production; with the addition of 42 new solar farms expected over the next few years, this percentage is expected to rise.

According to the Clean Energy Council, in 2018, solar farms generated only 0.8% of Australia’s total electricity, but this number becomes more meaningful when framed against the fact that renewables still only account for a fraction of our overall electricity generation.

With the right policies and investments, solar farms can play a crucial role in Australia’s move towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future. Lowered prices and a more stable market have led to a rise in Australia’s use of large-scale solar power.

Megawatt-scale solar farms are built to generate and sell electricity to the grid or a designated buyer, and are typically installed on the ground rather than on rooftops.

Profits for landowners can come in the form of long-term lease payments for the solar farm’s use of their property or the signing of a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a large energy consumer or electrical wholesaler.

The addition of solar panels has a multiplicative effect on the farm’s value, and if the farm is licenced as a power plant, it can generate a significant amount of Generating Certificates.

Solar farms are beneficial to the environment in many ways. For example, they use less water and land than conventional power plants.

Clean and renewable solar energy can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and thus help mitigate climate change. The carbon footprint, water use, land use, air pollution, and energy used to transport fuel can all be minimised thanks to the installation of solar farms.

They have the added benefit of reducing our need for fossil fuels and thus slowing the rate at which the planet is warming. While the upfront investment is substantial, many municipalities and businesses see the long-term environmental and financial benefits as being well worth the cost.

Content Summary

Australia’s abundant sunshine and wide open spaces make it an ideal location for massive solar farms that might provide renewable energy to the country’s homes and businesses.
Australian Solar Farms Australia is one of the world’s leading producers of solar energy, and the country’s transition to renewable energy sources has been greatly aided by the proliferation of solar farms.
Large-scale solar farms in Australia convert the sun’s energy directly into usable electricity.
Solar farms would thrive in Australia due to the country’s large size and high levels of sunlight.
There is a wide variety of solar farms in the country, ranging from residential systems to massive utility-scale facilities.
Solar farms are useful for reducing GHG emissions and adapting to climate change because they generate electricity from a renewable resource.
It’s true that Australia has made great strides in its transition to renewable energy, but the country still faces significant obstacles.
The country’s electricity grid was built to support large-scale power plants, so it can be difficult to incorporate renewable energy sources like solar farms.
However, solar farms can play a significant role in Australia’s transition towards a sustainable and low-carbon energy future with the proper policies and investments.
The Clean Energy Council reports that in 2018, large-scale solar farms contributed barely 0.8% of Australia’s total electricity generation.
Construction on solar farms in Australia has skyrocketed in recent years.
Developers and investors in solar farms are optimistic about the future of large- and medium-scale solar power due to falling costs and a stabilising market.
In contrast to smaller commercial solar installations, known as “solar panels,” solar farms will typically be megawatt-scale in size, ground-mounted rather than roof-mounted, and constructed to sell energy to the electrical grid or to an assigned purchaser, who will typically be a large energy user as well as an electricity retailer.
The most direct way for landowners to profit from such a solar farm is via a long-term payment of rent for the usage of their land.
Developing, financing, and operating a solar farm on your own can be costly, and the associated dangers can be substantial, so it’s usually best to let professionals handle it.
There are no additional labour involved or maintenance costs associated with using solar power on your farm.
Using renewable energy to power your farm has no downsides.
This property is perfect for the solar farm because:A gentle southerly slope of up to 5 degrees is possible.
The value of your farm will increase dramatically as a side effect of adding solar panels.
Despite widespread belief, neither chemical spills nor the installation of solar farm panels poses any threat to the environment.
Solar power is clean and renewable, so it can help us use less fossil fuels and slow global warming.
The decreased carbon footprint is one of the most important environmental benefits of setting up a solar farm.
However, solar farms don’t need water for cooling, so they can contribute to reducing water consumption.
Land that is unfit for agriculture or other purposes, such as landfills or brownfields, can be converted into solar farms.
Pollution in the air, water, and land is all possible outcomes of fuel transportation.
Solar farms have less of an effect on the environment than other types of power plants because they don’t need fuel to operate.
The carbon footprint, water usage, land use, air pollution, and energy used to transport fuel are just some of the environmental benefits that can result from setting up a solar farm.
If we switch to solar power, we can lessen our reliance on fossil fuels and work to slow global warming.
While the initial cost to build a solar farm is high, many local governments and businesses find the long-term environmental and financial benefits to be well worth the expense.