The Queensland Opposition warns the renewable energy push could cost taxpayers between $50 million and up to $900 million in green energy subsidies which may or may not lead to lower electricity prices, but the direction was largely welcomed by The Greens.

Energy Minister Mark Bailey on Wednesday night said the push to put solar on government buildings was now being explored.

"The Palaszczuk Government is currently investigating the use of solar PV on state-owned buildings," Mr Bailey said.

Report author and investment banker Colin Mugglestone led a team of researchers who spent seven months analysing how Queensland should reach a position where 50 per cent of its energy is provided by renewable energy by 2030.

The state government now has 9 megawatts of solar panels on government buildings and hopes to generate 2000 megawatts of solar energy from government property by 2030, the report says.

The Queensland Government is one of the state's biggest electricity customers using three per cent of the state's electricity, "especially across health and education portfolios," the report says.

"The Queensland Government has a substantial property portfolio across the state," it says.

"Examples of government buildings include houses and apartments, community centres, schools, TAFEs, large buildings and hospitals.

"Where it is cost effective to do so, the  Panel considers there is merit in the Queensland Government investigating the use of solar PV on state-owned buildings."

It says this would help to lower government operating costs, and help to "share learnings" about barriers to large-scale solar installations in commercial and industrial areas.

Queensland has few large scale renewable energy plants – and unlike all other states – instead small scale solar panels is the fastest renewable energy source, but adds little to baseload capacity.

The report says "there are significant opportunities for both wind and large-scale solar PV to contribute to Queensland's 50 per cent target," it reports.

What could a renewable energy push to 50 per cent by 2030 provide?

"It is projected that Queensland could reach 2200 MW of wind, 5200 MW of large-scale solar PV, and 4900 MW rooftop PV by 2030, including 5500 MW of new large scale capacity built after 2020."

It could provide between around 6400-6700 extra full-time jobs, mainly in the construction of large scale renewable energy plants.

Last month the federal government's renewable energy body ARENA agreed to fund $51.4 million to seed six new large-scale solar plants in Queensland.

That will help potential big solar plants in Dalby, Oakey, Longreach and Kidston west of Townsville and two in Collinsville.

What does the Queensland Opposition say?

Opposition Leader Tim Nicholls says the report shows between $50 million and $900 million is required for subsidies to green energy by 2030 to make the industry viable.

Mr Nicholls say the push to green power masks a "credible risk" of electricity price rises, a point rejected by the panel as "unlikely".

"This flawed report seeks to downplay the true cost to Queenslanders of an over the top renewable energy target that will put Queensland's energy security at risk and hike up household power costs," Mr Nicholls says.

What does Energy Minister Mark Bailey say?

"The Credible Pathways draft report projects a 50 per cent target would have a cost neutral impact on Queensland's electricity consumers," Mr Bailey said.

"This is due to additional supply from new renewable generators placing downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices which is projected to offset the payments (subsidies) to renewable projects."

What is the impact on the coal industry?

The report says "that no coal-fired generation in Queensland would be required to retire out to 2030 under scenarios where the 26-28 per cent national emissions reduction target is applied."

However it predicts a decline "of between $600 million and $1.1 billion in coal industry plant by 2030", depending on which industry path is chosen by the Queensland Government.

Where are we now? Queensland's renewable energy supplies to industry in 2016.

Coal provides between 61 and 65 per cent of power in Queensland

Natural gas provides about 12 per cent.

Renewables about 7 per cent. Total 693 megawatts from renewables.

Biomass from sugarcane remnants – 467 megawatts

Hydro-electricity – 203 megawatts

Wind – 12.5 megawatts

Solar – 10 megawatts

Geothermal – 0.12 megawatts.

Electricity price rise risks – what the reports says

The report includes a phrase which reads that "the pricing outcome is not guaranteed" and electricity price rises are a "credible risk."

"In the broader NEM, if the market experienced a sudden and unexpected exit of existing generation capacity, this could result in insufficient capacity being available during some periods, or significantly higher prices."

How strong is the risk to higher electricity prices?

Unpredicted higher electricity prices are "unlikely" because there is a wide spread of private ownership of coal projects and the Queensland Government also owns power generators.

"The Panel expects that given the spread and ownership (including government ownership) of Queensland generation, the sudden and unexpected exit of large amounts of generation is unlikely."

What does Queensland's Chamber of Commerce and Industry says?

The CCIQ's Nick Behrens said the report's findings were ambitious.

Mr Behrens worried the cost of subsidies – between $50 million and $900 million - would be borne by householders .

"The extent of this subsidy is substantial and its cost will inevitably be borne by households and business, hidden though taxes – not necessarily electricity bills."

What do The Greens say?

"The Greens welcome this draft report, which confirms that clean energy is good for jobs," Mr Bartlett said.

"But we are dismayed at the years of delay, lack of ambition, and no transition plan for coal power workers."

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