Most Solar Energy Installed in Australia by State
Australia is one of the countries in the western world encouraging their citizens to move from fossil fuels to more green options like solar energy. The solar energy industry in Australia is one of the fastest-growing sectors, with over 3.2 million solar energy installations and a combined output of 27,000 MW (27 GW) all over the country. Solar energy makes up 12% of Australia’s total electricity output.
The Australian state with the most solar energy installations is Queensland. As of 2021, the state had over eight hundred and fifty-five thousand (855,000) small-scale solar panels installed as of last year. The majority of the solar panels installed in Queensland were for residential areas.
Below are the states with the most solar power installations in Australia.
Location; Northeastern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installations; 854,948
Combined capacity; 4450 MW (4.45 GW)
Queensland has the highest number of solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has recorded an estimated 854,948 solar energy installations with a combined capacity of 4450 megawatts.
There are plans to keep increasing the number of solar energy installations which will lead to an increase in the output. This is expected with more and more households switching to solar energy. Queensland is also the second-largest and third-most-populous Australian state
2. New South Wales
Location; southeastern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installations; 762,896
Combined capacity; 4200 MW (4.2 GW)
New South Wales has the second-highest number of solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has over 750,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 4200 megawatts. This output is said to increase with plans to continue the rise of solar energy usage in the state.
3. Victoria
Location; southeastern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installations; 603,156
Combined capacity; 3218 MW (3.22 GW)
Victoria has the third highest solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has over 600,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 3218 megawatts. Victoria is the second smallest state in Australia and its residents have embraced solar energy as an alternative energy source.
4. Western Australia
Location; the western part of Australia.
No. of solar energy installations; 420,939
Combined capacity; 1362 MW (1.36 GW)
Western Australia has the fourth highest solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has over 420,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 1362 megawatts.
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia and is occupied by acres and acres of arid land. This arid land is largely underpopulated and a great location for solar farms and solar parks.
5. South Australia
Location; southern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installations; 341,129
Combined capacity; 800 MW (0.8 GW)
South Australia has the fifth highest solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has over 341,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 800 megawatts. The state is one of many states that make up the southern part of Australia. South Australia is the fourth largest state by land mass but has the 2nd smallest population in Australia.
6. Tasmania
Location; southern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installations; 44,270
Combined capacity; 214 MW
Tasmania has the 6th highest solar energy installations in Australia by state. The state has over 44,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 214 megawatts. Tasmania is one of the island states that make up Australia. Although the state is one of the coldest states in Australia, the government has been able to support solar energy for its residents.
7. Australian Capital Territory
Location; southeastern part of Australia
No. of solar energy installation; 38,308
Combined capacity; 219 MW
Australian Capital Territory has the seventh-highest solar energy installation in Australia by state. The state has over 38,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 219 megawatts. The Australian capital territory (A.C.T) has also been nicknamed the bush capital due to the large expanse of forest land in the state.
8. Northern Territory
Location; central North of Australia
No. of solar energy installation; 20,014
Combined capacity; 147 MW
The Northern Territory has the eight highest solar energy installations in Australia by state. The territory has over 20,000 solar energy installations with a combined output of 147 megawatts. The Northern territory is well known for its outback desert landscape. The territory is a prime spot for solar farms due to the large open lands with little to no human population.
How many solar farms are there in Australia in 2022?
There are eighty (80) solar farms scattered all over Australia. These solar farms have a combined capacity of 5800 MW (5.8 GW).
Solar farms collect sunlight in massive amounts with thousands of solar photovoltaic panels, the sunlight is converted into solar energy. It is then converted into electricity which is sold commercially to households, businesses, etc.
How much of Australia's electricity is solar energy?
With the rise of demand for renewable energy usage in Australia, more and more households are switching to green energy.
Last year, solar photovoltaic installations accounted for 25.9% (119.5 KJ) of renewable energy in Australia. This figure only accounted for 12% of the total electrical energy produced in Australia.
Why are Australians switching to solar energy?
Australia has always looked to improve the pollution caused by fossil fuels and their by-products by switching to renewable energy like wind energy, solar energy, etc. This move to renewable energy has continued to grow over the decades.
However, more and more Australians have started supplementing their electricity with solar energy. This was enabled by government-backed support including; tax reductions, rebates, subsidies, and even cash back when they switch to solar energy.
United States, interest in solar energy is just as evident
As of the most recent data, the USA boasts its own impressive array of solar installations. This is detailed in the “Most Solar Energy Installed in the USA by State” — it is also exciting to see the impressive strides being taken across the United States.
Author: Ben McInerney is a renewable energy enthusiast with the goal of helping more Australians understand solar systems to make the best choice before they purchase. Having an accredited solar installer in the family helps give Ben access to the correct information, which allows him to break it down and make it easily understandable to the average homeowner.
