Australian Solar Farms Set State Records in August 2026
Utility-scale solar generation hit monthly highs in three Australian states in August 2026, while curtailment of solar output fell significantly, according
Utility-scale solar farms in New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria set new monthly generation records in August 2026. According to data from global research firm Rystad Energy, the states delivered 684 GWh, 665 GWh, and 213 GWh of clean energy respectively from large-scale photovoltaic (PV) plants.
Rystad Senior Analyst David Dixon said Australia's combined utility-scale solar and wind generation reached 4.99 terawatt-hours (TWh) for the month. This marked a 3% increase from the 4.86 TWh generated in August 2025.
Curtailment Declines Across the Grid
At the same time, the amount of large-scale solar power that was curtailed, or deliberately reduced, across the National Electricity Market (NEM) decreased. Dixon stated that curtailed utility PV generation was 168 GWh in August 2026, representing about 9% of available generation. This was a notable drop from August 2025, when 284 GWh, or approximately 18% of renewable generation, was curtailed.
Top-Performing Solar and Wind Assets
The best-performing utility solar assets for the month were all located in Queensland, each recording an average AC capacity factor of 28%. This list includes the 100 MW first stage of Pacific Blue Australia's Haughton Solar Farm and the 204 MW Edenvale Solar Park, which is co-owned by Japanese companies Eneos and Sojitz. Genex Power's 50 MW Kidston project in the state's far north also ranked among the top three.
For wind power, the top-performing assets were spread across the country. Potentia Energy's Flat Rocks wind farm in Western Australia led with an average capacity factor of 51%. At the state level, Victoria led the nation for combined utility solar and wind generation, producing a total of 1,387 GWh.
Major Projects Reach Financial Close
August 2026 also proved significant for new project commitments. More than 1 gigawatt (GW) of utility generation and storage assets reached financial close during the month.
The following table lists the major projects that secured financing:
| Project Developer | Project Name(s) | Location | Solar Capacity | Battery Storage Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edify Energy | Ganymirra and Majors Creek | Not specified | 300 MW combined | 300 MW / 1,200 MWh |
| BW ESS | Yanco BESS | New South Wales | Not applicable | 250 MW / 1,000 MWh |
| Quinbrook | Supernode stage 3 BESS | Queensland | Not applicable | 260 MW / 1,216 MWh |
These developments highlight continued investment in pairing solar generation with large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) to manage grid integration. The report from Rystad Energy frames these records and investments as key markers in Australia's energy transition.
