Latest federal government figures from September 2017 show Queensland has 523,710 small-scale solar photovoltaic systems (less than 100 kW, both on and off-grid). There are another 265 052 solar or heat-pump hot water systems across the state.

Source: Clean Energy Regulator http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Forms-and-resources/Postcode-data-for-small-scale-installations#SGU--Solar-Deemed

Energy Queensland figures show that as of 1 May 2017, there are now more than 438,000 residential rooftops with solar connections and 1,706 megawatts of solar in Queensland.

Source: Queensland Government http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/5/24/solar-now-queenslands-largest-power-station

Note: Queensland Government figures are slightly different to the Clean Energy Regulator’s numbers since they don’t include businesses or off-grid solar systems.

At July 2017 29.6% of Queensland dwellings have solar PV installed, and the total installed capacity of small scale solar is 1822 MW.

Source: Australian Photovoltaic Institute http://pv-map.apvi.org.au/historical#4/-26.67/134.12

In August 2017, solar PV systems in Queensland generated 208,546 MWh of electricity.

Source: Australian Photovoltaic Institute http://pv-map.apvi.org.au/analyses

Rooftop solar systems in Queensland can already generate more electricity than our largest coal fired power station. 

Source: Queensland Government http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2017/5/24/solar-now-queenslands-largest-power-station

Queensland currently has 20 large-scale renewable projects under construction creating enough jobs to employ over 5,000 people full time for a year. When complete, these clean-energy powerhouses will have a capacity of around 1700 MW. 

Source: GetUp! Renewable Energy Index August 2017

For latest report see: www.getup.org.au/rei

Queensland is now the largest source of clean, renewable energy jobs Australia-wide

Source: GetUp! Renewable Energy Index Sept 2017 www.getup.org.au/rei

In just one month (Sept 2017) 3,970 new small-scale solar systems were installed in Queensland, creating jobs for 1,330 people in the rooftop solar industry.

Source: Get Up Renewable Energy Index Sept 2017 Figure 8 + website graphs www.getup.org.au/rei

Queensland produces enough renewable energy to power almost 1.3 million homes.

Source: Get Up Renewable Energy Index Sept 2017, website graphs www.getup.org.au/rei

However, Queensland still lags far behind other states when it comes to large scale renewable energy. In 2016 only 7% of Queensland’s electricity came from renewable sources. 

Source: Climate Council 2017 Renewables Ready: States Leading the Charge

A new high-efficiency coal fired power station would cost between $2-$3 billion and take 7 years to build. Experts say the price of electricity from the plant would be between $135-203 a megawatt hour, compared to $65 to $80 per megawatt hour for new wind or solar farms.

Sources: Bloomberg New Energy Finance Report Feb 2017 ; ABC News Feb 2017 Electricity prices could double with new coal-fired stations, energy experts say ; Aust Financial Review July 2017 ‘ Don't buy the Minerals Council costings of coal power’

Even with the best available high-efficiency coal technology, a new coal power plant would still produce almost twice the emissions of a gas-fired power station, and neither coal or gas can compete with zero-emissions technology like solar and wind.

Source: Australian Energy Council Feb 2017 https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/will-coal-play-a-role-in-the-new-nem/

Polling shows that Queenslanders want renewables to become our main source of energy and expect governments to provide a clear plan for a well-managed transition to a clean energy future.  73% of Queenslanders want government to put incentives in place to encourage renewable energy development and 74% agree clean energy creates opportunities for jobs and investment.

Source: The Climate Institute Climate of the Nation Survey June 2017 http://www.climateinstitute.org.au/articles/publications/climate-of-the-nation-2017-page.html

Source: Essential Poll Oct 2017, Australia-wide figures http://www.essentialvision.com.au/category/essentialreport