Western Queensland is becoming a major hub for solar energy, with the state’s biggest solar power farm soon to open near Bacaldine. Construction of another major project is about to go ahead in Longreach according to ABC.
There are 6 projects that are partially funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) were either recently completed or are being built across Queensland. Construction on another 6 projects is expected to start next year
With the Barcaldine 25 megawatt solar farm now finished, work is proceeding to connect 79,000 panels to Queensland’s electricity grid with about 580 kilometres of cable. It will feed the grid with the capacity to power more than 8,000 homes once finished by mid-December and enough to light up Barcaldine 11 times over.
Nearby, work will start on the 15 megawatt Longreach Solar Farm.
Canadian Solar was successful in the last round of ARENA funding and will start construction on the project early next year. According to general manager Daniel Rouss, the Longreach area was perfect for solar power and is one of the best in the world.
He also said that it’s good infrastructure, radiance, the amount of sunlight, support from the council and access to local community contractors that gave the state everything it needs.
James Walker, a Longreach grazier said the long-running drought prompted him to diversify his operation and get involved in solar. He also said that through diversity, it really made an impact on him to make decisions and get things going.
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Featured Image Credit: ABC.net.au