In this Canstar Blue guide, we explain what solar farms are and how they work. We also reveal the top solar farms in each state and territory in Australia.
As Australia works towards its goal of 82% renewable energy by 2030, solar power has become an integral part of our energy network. But while many of us have a general idea about how home solar panels work, the ins and outs of solar farms aren’t as well known.
In this article, Canstar Blue has answered questions you may have about large-scale solar in your state — including where solar farms are located and how much energy they produce.
On this page:
Advertisement
What is a solar farm and how does it work?
Solar farms are mostly built in rural areas in Australia because they require a large amount of space to house the many rows of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that are used to convert sunlight into energy.
Unlike the more familiar rooftop solar panels that power a singular home or unit, solar farms generate large-scale energy that’s fed into the grid and sent on to households and businesses.
How many solar farms are there in Australia?
There are many Australian solar farms. While it can be hard to pin down a definitive number, given the quantity of projects constantly in commission and construction phases, the Clean Energy Council found in its 2024 report that large-scale solar contributed 15.9% of Australia’s renewable generation in 2023.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of many of the solar farms in Australia by state and territory. We’ve also listed a selection of farms under construction and their expected sizes.
Compare solar plans and prices
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Ausgrid network in Sydney but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 3900kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Citipower network in Melbourne but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on the Energex network in Brisbane but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4600kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
Here are some of the cheapest solar-specific deals from the retailers on our database. These costs are based on SA Power network in Adelaide but prices will vary depending on your circumstances. We show one product per retailer, listed in order of lowest price first. Annual price estimates assume general energy usage of 4000kWh/year for a residential customer on a single rate tariff. Price estimates exclude solar feed-in tariff credits. These are products from referral partners†. Our database may not cover all deals in your area, and please check retailer websites for up to date information.
List of solar farms in Australia
Solar farms in New South Wales
Below is a compilation of operational solar farms in NSW as of May 2024 as compiled by the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water that are over 50 megawatt (MW) in size, listed in ascending order.
- Broken Hill Solar Plant, 53MW
- Moree Solar Farm, 56MW
- Parkes Solar Farm, 66MW
- Goonumbla Solar Farm, 68.7MW
- Beryl Solar Farm, 87MW
- Nyngan Solar Plant, 102MW
- Bomen Solar Farm, 120MW
- Limondale Solar Farm Stage, 129MW
- Coleambally Solar Farm, 150MW
- Finley Solar Farm, 175MW.
Solar farms under construction NSW
We’ve also gathered a list of some 100MW+ solar panel farms in NSW that are currently committed according to the Australian Government Clean Energy Regulator as of May 2024. For information on estimated finish times, visit their respective websites. These are listed in order of size.
- Cunderdin Solar Farm, 100MW
- North Star Junction Solar Farm, 100MW
- Munna Creek Solar Farm, 150MW
- Pilbara generation project, 150MW
- Glennellen solar project, 200MW
- Wollar Solar Farm, 280MW
- Walla Walla Solar Farm, 300MW
- Culcairn Solar Farm, 350MW
- Stubbo Solar Farm, 400MW.
Live in NSW? See how solar energy works at a small-scale level in your state with Canstar Blue’s guide to solar power in NSW.
Solar farms in Victoria
Victoria currently has six solar farms over 50MW producing power in the state, according to Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning. Here are those projects as of May 2024, listed in order of their size.
- Bannerton Solar Farm, 88MW
- Winton Solar Farm, 99MW
- Numurkah Solar Farm, 100MW
- Karadoc Solar Farm, 104.5MW
- Glenrowan West Solar Farm, 130MW
- Kiamal Solar Farm, 350MW.
Solar farms under construction VIC
With many new solar farms over 50MW under construction in the state, Victoria is set to see its large-scale solar generation soar over the coming years. These are some projects currently under construction or approved in Victoria as of May 2024. For the full list, visit the Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning website.:
- Wungnhu Solar Farm, 75MW
- Fosterville Solar Farm, 120MW
- Kennedy’s Creek Solar Farm, 145MW
- Gannawarra Stage 2 Solar Farm, 240MW
- Prarie Solar Farm, 240MW
- Corop Solar Farm, 440MW.
Live in Victoria? See how solar energy works at a small-scale level in your state with Canstar Blue’s guide to solar power in Victoria.
Solar farms in Queensland
It’s called the Sunshine State for a reason. In fact, Queensland leads the pack as far as large-scale solar power generation is concerned, with some of its biggest farms located up north, near Townsville. Below you’ll find a list of established solar panel farms in Queensland that are 50MW or over, listed according to their size as of May 2024.
- Hayman Solar Farm, 50MW
- Kidstone Solar Project, 50MW
- Whitsunday Solar Farm, 57.5MW
- Hamilton Solar Farm, 57.5MW
- Whitsunday Solar Farm, 57.5MW
- Warwick Solar Farm, 64MW
- Rugby Run Solar Farm, 65MW
- Emerald Solar Park, 68MW
- Childers Solar Farm, 75MW
- Clermont Solar Farm, 75MW
- Susan River Solar Farm, 75MW
- Mica Creek Solar Farm, 88MW
- Clare Solar Farm, 100MW
- Haughton Solar Farm, 100MW
- Lilyvale Solar Farm 100MW
- Oakey Solar Farm, 100MW
- Yarranlea Solar Farm, 100MW
- Darling Downs Solar Farm, 110MW
- Sun Metals Solar Farm, 124MW
- Ross River Solar Farm, 128MW
- Sun Metals Solar Farm, 121MW
- Lilyvale Solar PV Park, 126.2MW
- Daydream Solar Farm, 150MW
- Columboola Solar Farm, 162MW.
Solar farms under construction QLD
Queensland has one large-scale solar project currently in the works as of May 2024. Details as follows:
- Harlin Solar Farm, 1500MW.
Live in QLD? See how solar energy works at a small-scale level in your state with Canstar Blue’s guide to solar power in QLD.
Solar farms in South Australia
Whilst South Australia may not host the same volume of solar farms as seen in other states, there are currently two active 50MW+ facilities in use in South Australia as of May 2024. Refer to the SA Government Department for Energy and Mining for more information.
- Tailem Bend Solar Project – Stage 1, 108MW
- Bungala Solar Farm 1 & 2, 220MW.
Solar farms under construction SA
South Australia shows great potential when it comes to solar generation, with two solar farms as of May 2024 due to surface in this state over the coming years. These are listed below.
- Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park, 110MW
- Goyder South Hybrid Renewable Power Station, 200MW.
Live in SA? See how solar energy works at a small-scale level in your state with Canstar Blue’s guide to solar power in SA.
Solar farms in Western Australia
Western Australia is home to a number of small solar farms, including those listed below (list compiled in May 2024).
- Chichester Solar Farm 60MW
- Merredin Solar Farm, 132MW.
Solar farms under construction WA
In the next few years, the state is expecting another three large solar farms to join its ranks. These are detailed below.
- Benger Solar Farm, 100MW
- North Star Junction Solar Farm 100MW
- Pilbara Solar Farm, 100MW
- Bristol Springs Solar Project, 114MW
- Cunderdin Solar Project 128MW.
Solar farms in Northern Territory
There are a select number of solar farms in the Northern Territory however, as of May 2024, none of the active or under-construction projects currently exceed 50MW.
Learn more about solar in the NT with Canstar Blue’s guide to solar power in Darwin.
Solar farms in the Australian Capital Territory
Similar to the Northern Territory, the ACT has a select number of solar farms, all under 50MW as of May 2024.
Solar farms in Tasmania
There are currently only a few solar panel farms in action in Tasmania as of May 2024. These farms are all under 50MW. However, a 288MW solar farm is under development on the Historic Connorville Station.
Learn more about solar in the Tasmania with Canstar Blue’s Tasmanian solar power guide.
How much power do solar farms generate?
According to the Clean Energy Council, 5% of Australia’s total electricity generation came from large-scale solar farms in 2022. This number may seem small, but when you consider that only a small portion of our total power generation comes from renewables, it might seem more substantial.
The Clean Energy Council found that large-scale solar PV contributed 14% to the total amount of clean energy generated in 2022. This was equivalent to powering 2,554,448 households over the course of the year.
What are some other forms of renewable energy in Australia?
Aside from solar farms, there are other types of renewable energy in Australia that contribute to the country’s sustainable power pool. They include:
- Rooftop solar
- Hydro power
- Bioenergy
- Geothermal
- Wind power
- Wave power.
How can households cash-in on solar energy in Australia?
In Australia, the only way a household can control where their energy comes from is to install solar panels. Households with solar batteries have the greatest control over their energy supply as they can store unused solar power for later without having to rely on the grid for backup.
If you’re interested in solar panels for your home, be sure to check out our solar panel installer ratings. Here, we list the brands Aussie solar customers have rated top-notch for service, products and overall satisfaction. Compare from the winning brands by clicking the tab below.
Original reporting by Monika Gudova
Image Source: Lucian Pavel/Shutterstock
Share this article