Overview
Broken Hill Solar Plant is a 53 MW solar PV facility in New South Wales, Australia, owned by AGL Energy. It contributes to the country's renewable energy transition under the Renewable Energy Target.
Broken Hill Solar Plant is a 53 MW solar photovoltaic facility located near Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia. Owned by AGL Energy, the plant is operational and plays a key role in supplying clean electricity to the region. As a utility-scale solar installation, it aligns with Australia's growing renewable energy capacity. The plant operates under Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, which aims to generate 33,000 GWh of renewable electricity annually by 2020. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, with no emissions during operation. The 53 MW capacity places it in the medium-to-large scale for Australian solar farms, contributing to grid stability and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Environmentally, the Broken Hill Solar Plant supports local energy needs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Its location in a sunny, arid region maximizes solar generation potential. The facility also helps diversify Australia's energy mix, supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy and providing clean power to the National Electricity Market.
Environmental context
The Broken Hill region experiences high solar irradiance, making it ideal for solar energy generation. The plant's operation avoids significant water use compared to conventional thermal power plants, and its land use is managed to minimize ecological disruption. Solar farms in arid areas can coexist with grazing or native vegetation, supporting biodiversity while generating renewable energy.
Frequently asked questions
Broken Hill Solar Plant is located near Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, at coordinates -31.9867, 141.3915.
The plant has a capacity of 53 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-to-large scale solar photovoltaic facility.
The plant is owned by AGL Energy, one of Australia's leading energy retailers and generators.
The plant operates under Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET), which mandates a certain percentage of electricity from renewable sources. It also benefits from state-level renewable energy policies in New South Wales.
By generating electricity from solar energy, the plant reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. It also avoids water consumption typical of thermal power plants, supporting local water conservation.