Market update · Australia · Utility-scale solar
Australian utility solar sets state records as curtailment falls
Utility-scale solar output reached August records in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria while solar curtailment fell sharply year on year. The result points to improving grid absorption, although location and storage remain central to project value.
SolTraCo market update · · 3 min readThree state records
New South Wales produced 684 GWh of utility-scale solar in August 2026, Queensland 665 GWh and Victoria 213 GWh. Each was a state record for the month.
Combined utility-scale solar and wind generation reached 4.99 TWh, up 3% from 4.86 TWh in August 2025.
Curtailment moved lower
Utility-scale solar curtailment fell to 168 GWh, or about 9% of potential output, compared with 284 GWh and about 18% in August 2025. The reduction suggests that more available solar generation was absorbed by the system during the month.
Curtailment remains material, however. Project location, connection conditions, storage and operating strategy still affect how much generated energy can reach the market.
Commercial implication
For project and equipment transactions, headline capacity is not enough to establish value. Grid position, expected curtailment, storage capability and the operating profile should be qualified together before capital or equipment commitments are made.
Sources
This update is an original SolTraCo synthesis of the linked industry sources. Reported facts and commercial interpretation are kept separate. It does not contain confidential deal information and is not investment, legal or technical advice.