The University of Queensland has become the first major university in the world to offset 100 per cent of its electricity use with renewable power produced from its own assets.
The completion of the $125 million, 64 megawatt solar farm at Warwick also boosts Australia's renewable energy research capacity.
UQ vice-chancellor and president Professor Peter Hoj AC said as the world demanded more energy for human wellbeing and economic development, renewables would provide a greater proportion of that energy production.
"The Warwick Solar Farm is first and foremost an act of leadership that demonstrates that a transition to renewables can be done at scale, that's practicable and makes economic sense," Professor Hoj said.
"The output of Warwick Solar Farm will be about 160GWh per year - the equivalent of powering more than 25,000 households or reducing coal consumption by more than 60,000 tonnes.
"This isn't just an economic choice; industry and government look to us for expertise and leadership in renewable technologies and this asset will support a wide range of current and emerging research and industry partnerships across a broad array of disciplines."
Professor Hoj said the generation profile of the solar farm provides an ideal opportunity for piloting emerging battery energy storage or hydrogen conversion technologies.
"It will keep our teaching and research at the forefront of the booming renewables industries, aided by the university's own large operational investments into sustainable engineering technologies over the past decade or more."
Professor Hj said UQ published data from its solar installations online and would continue to do so with the new solar farm, as well as sharing its knowledge among government and industry including commercial operators.
"When it comes to climate change, we all share the responsibility and the consequences, and so we need to be acting in a way that is informed by research and with collaboration in mind," he said.
"With solar technology becoming increasingly affordable in the past decade, the economics of solar photovoltaic power are increasingly compelling and we look forward to developing collaborations with industry partners who wish to pilot and prove innovative new energy solutions."
State Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said the solar farm was the latest addition to Queensland's existing suite of renewable energy generation projects.
"Our renewable energy revolution is rolling out, providing jobs and lower power prices for Queenslanders," Dr Lynham said.
"We are forecast to reach 20 per cent renewable generation this year and on target to reach our commitment to 50pc by 2030."
