Of the top solar postcodes listed, Bundaberg, Mackay, Caloundra and Cairns are all regions represented by trailblazing local governments in the Cities Power Partnership, Australia’s largest local government climate network.Bundaberg is leading the solar charge, with a huge 11,060 installations totalling 38,975 kW capacity.
Alix Pearce, Cities Power Partnership director, said that Queensland’s sizzling solar-power uptake reflects the state’s ongoing renewable energy boom.
“Queensland and renewables are a winning combination. Queensland households are leading the nation in the uptake of household solar – it isn’t called the Sunshine State for nothing!” she said.
“Through the Cities Power Partnership we’re working with local governments across the state to support them with the transition to renewable energy.”
The Clean Energy Australia report shows that Australia now has 1.8 million household solar installations, with the average solar installation coming in at a massive 6.27kW.
Climate Councillor and University of Queensland Professor Karen Hussey said that Queensland is well-placed to transition from polluting fossil fuels to modern, clean renewable power.
“Queensland is one of the sunniest places in Australia, so it’s fitting that the state should be leading the way in harnessing the sun to generate clean, reliable renewable energy,” she said.
The report found that Queensland is also leading the country on large-scale renewable energy, with the state boasting 88% of new large scale solar projects completed in 2017.
This billion-dollar energy boom, Alix Pearce notes, is bringing jobs, investment and economic growth to regional areas throughout the state.
“Queensland is set to reap big benefits from the renewables boom, with the state home to the greatest number of large-scale renewable projects under construction in Australia,” she said.
“As the global shift to renewable energy heats up, the future in Queensland is looking sunny.”
ENDS
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