Queensland energy minister Dr Anthony Lynham has described the controversial and much lampooned new restrictions on solar installations as “visionary”, and predicted they will result in more TAFE courses, more qualified electricians and a more highly skilled work force over the longer term.

The new rules, which came into effect on Monday and mean only licensed electricians can mount and fix solar modules on projects larger than 100kW, have been described as a farce by many in the industry, which warns of rising costs, project delays and choked investment.

Even the Master Electricians Australia have been scathing of the new rules, and want them scrapped.

But Lynham says he supports the new rules introduced by industrial relations minister Grace Grace, because they will result in a more highly skilled workforce.

“I see a booming renewable energy industry in this state. I see an unprecedented demand for electricians, associated apprenticeships and other people with the skills required,” he told the Clean Energy Council’s large-scale solar forum in Brisbane on Thursday.

“Unless we make a move now to … create that workforce, we will be lost. We have to be visionary. This regulation allow us to be visionary.”

Queensland has a 50 per cent renewable energy target, which Lynham insists will still be met, and has attracted more investment in large-scale solar (around 3,500MW) than any other state.