Hughendon Solar PV Facility - 20 MW in Queensland, Australia

Hughendon is a solar photovoltaic (PV) facility located in Queensland, Australia, with a capacity of 20 megawatts (MW). This scale places it in the small-to-medium range for utility-scale solar projects in Australia, which often range from 5 MW to over 100 MW. The plant is operational and contributes to the region's renewable energy generation. The facility operates under Australia's renewable energy framework, which includes the Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme and state-level policies supporting solar deployment. Solar PV technology converts sunlight directly into electricity, and the plant's capacity of 20 MW can power approximately 5,000 to 6,000 average Australian homes annually, depending on local insolation and efficiency. Environmentally, the Hughendon solar farm helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuel-based electricity. Solar PV has minimal operational emissions, though land use and visual impact are considerations. The plant supports grid stability and aligns with Australia's goal of achieving 82% renewable electricity by 2030.

The Hughendon solar PV facility is located in a region with high solar irradiance, typical of inland Queensland. Solar farms require significant land area for panel arrays, which can alter local land use and habitat. However, the operational phase has low water consumption and no air emissions. The facility contributes to reducing Australia's reliance on coal-fired power, supporting national climate targets.