Mackay, Gladstone, Rockhampton shine as Central Queensland suburbs rank high in residential rooftop solar rankings

Central Queensland suburbs shine bright as new data from the Clean Energy Regulator reveals the postcodes with the highest uptake of rooftop solar. See where your suburb ranks in the list.

Central Queenslanders are among the highest users of rooftop solar as new data reveals which postcodes are helping power the sunshine state.

Mackay, Rockhampton and Gladstone have been identified as regional hot spots in the uptake of residential rooftop solar, as more than 720,000 Queensland homes now use solar power.

Queensland homes collectively provide more than 3.5GW capacity, which is greater than the state’s two largest power stations at Gladstone and Stanwell combined (1.68GW, 1.46GW).

Postcodes across Queensland have been compared to determine which areas have the most residential rooftop solar, with Gladstone placing 13 and Rockhampton 30 on the list. Picture: Brendon Thorne (Bloomberg)

Mackay (4740) ranked fifth in the list for Queensland postcodes with the most “solar households” as more than 11,600 homes use rooftop solar.

Gladstone (4680) ranked 13th and Rockhampton (4701) 30th in the poll as Energy Minister Mick de Brenni said a new solar system was connected every 11 minutes in Queensland.

Mr de Brenni said the Clean Energy Regulator data showed the southern states were starting to “catch on” to the role household systems could play in supplying clean energy to the grid.

Minister Mick de Brenni said rooftop solar supplied 8.9 per cent of Queensland’s total energy needs last financial year. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“While rooftop solar supplied 8.9 per cent of Queensland’s total energy needs last financial year, in the middle of the day it can represent more than 40 per cent of generation,” Mr Di Brenni said.

Bundaberg topped the list with more than 15,600 solar households, followed by Hervey Bay (14,000), Caloundra (12,800), and Toowoomba (12,200).

Queensland continues to lead the nation in rooftop solar usage, trumping our southern neighbours in New South Wales by more than 88,000 installations.

Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher said it was great to see Gladstone so high on the list.

“It’s a great outcome that so many people in Central Queensland are choosing to install solar on their homes,” Mr Butcher said.

Mackay MP Julieanne Gilbert and Regional Development and Gladstone MP Glenn Butcher at the 2022 Queensland Mining Awards in July.

Queenslanders can see how their postcode compares to those leading the sunshine state by using the state government’s online search tool.

Queensland Top 10 solar postcodes

1st 4670 (Bundaberg) = 15,600 solar households

2nd 4655 (Hervey Bay) = 14,000 solar households

3rd 4551 (Caloundra) = 12,800 solar households

4th 4350 (Toowoomba) = 12,200 solar households

5th 4740 (Mackay) = 11,600 solar households

6th 4300 (Springfield) = 10,300 solar households

7th 4207 (Beenleigh/Logan Village) = 10,200 solar households

8th 4211 (Nerang) = 10,200 solar households

9th 4209 (Coomera) = 9,390 solar households

10th 4305 (Ipswich) = 9,350 solar households