Solar capital of coastal Australia
The Sunshine Coast would live up to its name by tapping into the energy of the sun. The Sunshine Coast Council would be the first council to build a solar farm at utility scale in Australia. It would be potentially the largest in the nation. Council is currently calling for expressions of interest, to confirm cost and benefit estimates. While there are many challenges to be met, council is on track to begin construction in 2014. Benefits The solar farm will deliver a multi-million-dollar saving for ratepayers. The solar farm will help develop the ‘cleantech’ industry hub on the Coast. Skills developed during construction can be exported to similar projects within and outside Queensland. This will further diversify the local economy. Location The solar farm is to be built at Valdora near Coolum and would meet half of council’s electricity needs for at least the next 30 years.