Queensland has reached its solar target, high feed in tariff available but for how long?

Archived News, Posted on 21 Jul 2011

Queenslanders are going green faster than the government had predicted, with the target for the uptake of solar energy smashed three years earlier than hoped.

In April last year, the government wanted to double the amount of solar energy Queensland households could generate within five years.

At that time, 250 megawatts had been installed through solar photovoltaic rooftop panels or solar hot water systems.

Now, just 15 months later, it has hit 500 megawatts.

Around 141,000 solar power panel systems are now installed and 230,000 household have hot water systems.

To aid the pick up rate, 121,000 people have received rebates from the government for the transition.

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson said the government will still power ahead to get more people to go green.

He said that by 2020, he wants 20 per cent of our energy coming from renewable sources, such as solar, geothermal, biomass, wind and hydroelectricity.

Currently, it's sitting at eight per cent.

"These resources will play a key role in meeting the energy demands of Queensland's growing population, creating a new green jobs-based industry, and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said.

Also coming up, a 250 megawatt solar thermal power station is planned for Chinchilla, and solar farms are also planned for Hervey Bay and Cloncurry.