Queensland unveils new guidelines for solar farms

The Queensland government on Thursday released new solar farm guidelines that, it said, will help communities have their say in the next wave of solar development in the state.

Over the past three years, Queensland has seen the construction of 13 large-scale solar projects which have brought AUD 1.3 billion (USD 938m/EUR 803m) in investment and more than 650 MW of capacity to the grid, energy minister Anthony Lynham said. Another 16 solar projects are on the way that will bring AUD 3.4 billion to regional and rural locations across the state, the minister added.

The guidelines are in response to calls from regional communities and industry for certainty, according to the statement.

"For traditional owners, communities and landholders the guidelines outline approval processes, technical and environmental considerations, ways to give feedback, information on the stages of solar development and what a new solar project can mean for a community," Lynham explained.

"For industry, these guidelines provide a one-stop-shop guide on navigating government development approvals, expectations about best practice to engage the local community, location guidance and the legal framework which governs solar farm developments," he added.

The guidelines can be viewed here.

(AUD 1 = USD 0.721/EUR 0.618)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!