Queensland Solar Atlas helps to build our clean energy future

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson today unveiled the Queensland Solar Atlas, a new electronic map to assist resource companies to pinpoint the best areas for potential future solar power generation projects.

Mr Robertson said the Queensland Solar Atlas was based on solar irradiance data collected at ground monitoring stations in Roma, Cloncurry and Charters Towers.

"The Queensland Solar Atlas has confirmed the North West, Far North and Central West regions as the best areas for potential future solar power generation projects in Queensland," Mr Robertson said.

"It may not be a total surprise that these regions have strong potential in terms of solar resources, due to the fact they experience a high proportion of mainly long, hot, sunny days.

"However, the interactive Solar Atlas drills down further to provide more detailed information about the intensity and frequency of the sun's power in a particular area.

"Companies exploring solar e nergy opportunities in Queensland can also use the Solar Atlas to ascertain what infrastructure is available within each region, as it includes overlays of critical infrastructure such as electricity and gas transmission infrastructure and land and water resources.

"Individual companies use different technologies and what the atlas enables them to do is pinpoint exactly where the infrastructure is that suits their project."

Mr Robertson said the Solar Atlas clearly details average annual solar radiation information across the state.

"The interactive map was produced using data collected over a 365 day period, along with broader satellite-derived information," he said.

"The information has been mapped on 5km x 5km grids and shows average potential solar generation output in kilowatt hours per day.

"Information on the interactive map is represented in colour ranges from blue to red; with red being the highest level of solar irradiance po tential."

Mr Robertson said the Queensland Solar Atlas would better assist the private sector to develop large-scale solar projects, boosting investment opportunities for Queensland and stimulating job creation in the clean energy sector.

"The Solar Atlas forms a key element of the Bligh Government's strategy to make Queensland the solar state," he said.

"We want to see this clean energy source incorporated into all aspects of our lives and the Solar Atlas will help deliver this goal.

"We believe harnessing the sun's power to produce clean energy and reduce green house emissions is a clever, practical solution to tackling climate change.

"Solar energy has a bright future in Queensland's renewable energy mix and the Solar Atlas is an example of our commitment to clean energy generation."

Entura Hydro Tasmania was contracted to develop the Solar Atlas by the State Government's Office of Clean Energy.

Entura is a leading e nergy and water consultancy with vast experience across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Entura also produced the Queensland Wind Map.

The Queensland Solar Atlas can be downloaded free from www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au

Energy and Water Utilities
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
26/10/2011
Queensland Solar Atlas helps to build our clean energy future

Permanent Link: Queensland Solar Atlas helps to build our clean energy future
Publish Date: 26 Oct 11