13.3MW AC
UGL's reported alternating-current capacity available from the facility.
Mugga Lane Solar Park.
A source-led field guide to the utility-scale solar farm at Hume, south of central Canberra.
Independent information hub. This page is not operated by, endorsed by or commercially affiliated with the project owner, developer, constructor or the ACT Government.
The project at a glance
Mugga Lane is a grid-connected photovoltaic power station built on Canberra's southern edge. Public sources describe the same facility using both AC export capacity and DC panel capacity, which explains the differing headline figures.
15.3MW DC
The approximate direct-current capacity of the photovoltaic array.
24GWh+
Current operator-reported yearly generation, enough for an indicative 3,000-plus homes.
Hume, ACT
Near the intersection of Mugga Lane and the Monaro Highway, south of central Canberra. Electricity is carried by underground 11 kV cables to the Gilmore Zone Substation.
48,412panels
UGL reports a mix of fixed-tilt and single-axis tracking photovoltaic systems across the site.
A note on figures: public sources vary. Wikipedia lists 13 MW and 53,000 collectors; UGL lists 13.3 MW AC, 15.3336 MW DC, 48,412 panels and 52 hectares; CleanPeak lists 15 MW and 45 hectares. This guide labels the basis of each figure instead of treating them as directly interchangeable.
Sunlight becomes direct current, inverters turn it into grid-ready electricity, and an underground connection carries it into Canberra's local network.
From sun to suburb
A simplified explanation of the energy path. The diagrams are original illustrations, not engineering schematics.
Step 1 · Capture
Panels convert sunlight into direct current.
Photovoltaic cells produce electricity when exposed to light. The site combines fixed arrays with single-axis tracking arrays that can follow the sun across the day.
Step 2 · Convert
Inverters prepare the power for the grid.
The panels' direct current is converted to alternating current. Electrical equipment then conditions and steps the voltage to suit the site's network connection.
Step 3 · Connect
Underground cables link the site to Gilmore.
UGL states that electricity is exported through underground 11 kV cables to the Gilmore Zone Substation on Isabella Drive, then distributed through the local electricity network.
Useful context
The details behind the headline numbers, organised for quick reference.
01Why are both 13 MW and 15 MW used?
Solar facilities are often described using two ratings. DC capacity refers to the combined nominal capacity of the panels. AC capacity refers to the output after conversion, constrained by the inverters and grid connection. UGL reports 15.3336 MW DC and 13.3 MW AC; government material commonly refers to the project's 13 MW feed-in tariff capacity.
02What kind of solar technology is installed?
The facility uses flat-panel photovoltaic technology. UGL describes two array types: a fixed photovoltaic system and a single-axis tracking system. Fixed arrays stay at a set angle; trackers rotate on one axis to improve their orientation to the sun.
03How does it fit into the ACT's energy policy?
Mugga Lane was one of the successful projects from the ACT Government's early large-scale solar auction. The 2016–17 feed-in tariff report lists a 13 MW entitlement, a tariff rate of $178/MWh and a feed-in tariff start date of 18 November 2016. The auction program was part of the ACT's pathway towards its renewable electricity target.
04Why have sheep been used on the site?
Sheep grazing has been used as a form of vegetation management beneath and between solar arrays. Contemporary reporting said the project sought 100–150 sheep for the site. Grazing can keep grass down around structures that are awkward for large mowing equipment, while retaining an agricultural use on the land.
05Who has been involved?
The project was developed for Maoneng Group, with UGL responsible for design and construction. CleanPeak Energy states that it acquired the facility in 2022 and now presents it within its operating portfolio. These organisations are included as factual project history only; this website has no affiliation with them.
A short project history
Selected through the ACT solar auction
The project secured a 13 MW large-scale feed-in tariff entitlement through the Territory's reverse-auction program.
Construction and first supported generation
Government reporting records construction during 2016 and a feed-in tariff start date of 18 November 2016.
Public opening
Construction was complete and the solar park was publicly opened in March 2017.
Acquired by CleanPeak Energy
CleanPeak Energy states that it acquired the Mugga Lane facility in 2022.
Ongoing regulated operation
The ACT Utilities Technical Regulator reported an operations and maintenance agent change, minor modifications and a new operating certificate during the 2023–24 reporting period.
On Canberra's southern edge.
The map marker uses the coordinates published on Wikipedia. The broader location is Hume, near Mugga Lane and the Monaro Highway.
35°24′00″S
149°08′44″E
149°08′44″E
Coordinates from Wikipedia's Mugga Lane Solar Park article. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence.
Sources & reading
Reference overview
Wikipedia
Concise project summary, coordinates, commissioning date and links to related references.
Read the articleDesign & construction
UGL project profile
Technical capacity, panel count, array types, network connection, project scope and construction outcomes.
Read the project profileGovernment record
2016–17 Feed-in Tariff Report
ACT Government reporting on the auction, tariff arrangement, capacity and start date.
Open the reportCurrent portfolio
CleanPeak Energy
Current portfolio information covering the 2022 acquisition, annual generation and site area.
Read the project pageOperations context
ACT technical regulation report
Regulatory reporting on operating certificates, maintenance-agent changes and modifications in 2023–24.
Open the reportLand management
RenewEconomy archive
Contemporary reporting on the use of sheep for vegetation management at the solar park.
Read the reportAustralian solar context
Energy Buster
Practical industry background on solar panels, inverters, system sizing and grid-connected generation from an Australian solar provider.
Explore the solar overviewEditorial approach. The page paraphrases and reconciles public information rather than reproducing a former commercial website. All illustrations are original inline SVGs. No photographs or logos have been copied. Figures are attributed by context where sources differ. Sources checked 11 August 2026.