Solar at the University of Queensland
Australia's largest flat-panel solar photovoltaic array is now producing clean renewable energy for the University of Queensland (UQ).
The Queensland Government has contributed $1.5 million towards a $7.75 million solar energy power system at the university's St Lucia campus, in Brisbane.
The solar array, which includes approximately 5,000 polycrystalline silicon solar panels on four campus buildings, will save around 1770 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually - which is equivalent to taking 335 cars off the road.
As well as the roof-mounted solar array, the UQ solar system also includes a ground-mounted 8.4 kilowatt concentrating solar photovoltaic array (CPV) that tracks the sun as it moves across the sky.
The SolFocus CPV array will allow UQ researchers to undertake detailed comparisons of a different type of solar technology.
Do the bright thing - help build a virtual solar power station for Queensland
Building by building, we're working together to build a virtual solar power station. Bright ideas, like the solar at UQ project, have already helped double our use of solar energy in less than two years - more than three years ahead of schedule. You can contribute to the virtual solar power station too by doing the bright thing and installing a solar hot water system or solar PV system on your home.
What are the energy and greenhouse gas benefits?
It is estimated that the solar array will produce around 1750 megawatt hours of electricity each year, and provide about five per cent of the university's peak demand power requirements.
This clean solar energy will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 1770 tonnes every year.
What will the project achieve?
The solar array is expected to deliver research data that could be crucial to the development of large-scale solar power projects in Queensland.
The solar power system is part of a larger strategy by UQ to enhance its solar research capabilities by building a system of international significance and increasing its use of renewable energy.
Researchers will gather information on exactly how solar PV performs at the megawatt scale in the Queensland environment, enabling us to make the most of this clean energy source which is so abundant in our state.
Harnessing clean energy and further developing our solar industry is a key element in the Queensland Government's Toward Q2 strategy to create a clean energy future for Queensland.
More Information
Think solar at universities is a bright idea?
- Find out about the incentives available and the benefits of installing solar panels or solar hot water in your home
- Find out how to get solar hot water or solar panels installed on your home or business
- Read the media release about solar at UQ
- Read about Brisbane company, Ingenero who won the tender to install the solar system
- Download a printable version of this information
Contact Us
You can contact us on our hotline, 13 GET SOLAR or 13 438 76527.
Last updated 4 August 2011
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