Overview
Oakey 1 is a 25 MW operational solar PV facility located near Oakey, Queensland, Australia. It contributes to the country's renewable energy capacity under the national Renewable Energy Target.
Oakey 1 is a solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant located near Oakey in Queensland, Australia. With a capacity of 25 megawatts (MW), it is a medium-scale solar installation that feeds into the National Electricity Market (NEM). The facility is operational and supports Australia's transition to renewable energy. The plant uses standard solar PV technology, converting sunlight directly into electricity. Australia's solar sector benefits from high solar irradiance, particularly in Queensland, and is supported by the federal Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme, which aims for 33,000 GWh of renewable electricity by 2020. State-level policies also encourage solar development. Oakey 1 contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and diversifying the energy mix in the region. Its output helps meet local electricity demand and supports grid stability. The facility is part of a broader trend of solar deployment in rural areas, utilizing available land for clean energy generation.
Environmental context
The Oakey region in Queensland experiences high solar irradiance, making it suitable for solar PV generation. Solar farms like Oakey 1 have low operational emissions but require land use for panel arrays. Potential environmental considerations include habitat disruption during construction and visual impact on the landscape. However, solar PV generally has minimal water usage and no air emissions during operation.
Frequently asked questions
Oakey 1 is located near Oakey in Queensland, Australia, at coordinates -27.406, 151.647.
Oakey 1 has a capacity of 25 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale solar photovoltaic facility.
Oakey 1 uses solar photovoltaic (PV) technology to convert sunlight into electricity.
Australia's Renewable Energy Target (RET) scheme drives solar deployment, requiring 33,000 GWh of renewable electricity by 2020. State-level feed-in tariffs and renewable energy targets also support solar PV.
Oakey 1 generates clean electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Solar PV has minimal water use and no air pollution during operation.