KEY POINTS
- Solar farms, unlike rooftop solar panels, generate solar energy for large-scale residential and business use.
- In 2024, 6.6% of Australia’s total energy and 16.5% of its renewable energy generation came from large-scale solar farms.
- At the time of publishing, there are 44 operating solar farms and 23 in construction that are larger than 50 megawatts (MW) in size.
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What is a solar farm?
Solar farms consist of large plots of land to house rows of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels 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.
They are mostly built in rural areas in Australia, such as QLD, NSW and WA because they require a large amount of open space.
How much power do solar farms generate?
According to the Clean Energy Council (CEC), 6.6% of Australia’s total electricity generation came from large-scale solar farms in 2024.
Solar farms have become one of the largest sources of renewable energy in Australia, with the CEC also reporting that large-scale solar farms contributed 16.5% to Australia’s renewable generation in 2023.
This number may seem small, but it is a substantial amount when you consider that only a small portion of our total power generation comes from renewables.
Why are we building solar farms?
Solar farms are a clean source of renewable energy. Unlike fossil-fuel-generated electricity, solar panels do not emit greenhouse gases when they’re generating electricity. In turn, solar farms contribute less to global warming and air pollution than the burning of fossil fuels.
Building solar farms plays a major role in the Australian government’s ‘Powering Australia’ program, with emissions reduction targets of 43 per cent by 2030 and zero emissions by 2050.
How many solar farms are there in Australia?
Note: This is a general guide only. The number of solar farms in operation or construction can change.
At the time of writing, there are 44 operating Australian solar farms and 23 in construction that are over 50 megawatts (MW) in size.
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.
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.
Solar farms in QLD
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.
Solar farms in SA
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.
Solar farms in WA
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 NT
There is 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.
Solar farms in the ACT
Similar to the Northern Territory, the ACT has a select number of solar farms, all under 50MW as of May 2024.
Solar farms in TAS
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.
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 benefit from solar energy in Australia?
In Australia, the only way a household can control where its 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.
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