Australia’s Solar Revolution Hits Four Million Rooftop Installations

A growing number of Australians are embracing solar power, with the nation reaching its milestone of four million rooftop solar installations. This surge underscores Australia’s leadership in solar adoption, driven by its legacy of solar innovation and a strong commitment to renewable energy.

Currently, one in three Australian homes features rooftop solar, and the nation is on track to add a near-record 3.15 gigawatts of capacity in 2024 alone. Households with rooftop solar enjoy average annual savings of over $1,500 on power bills. Beyond individual benefits, solar power significantly reduces wholesale energy prices and alleviates demand for costlier energy sources during peak daytime hours.

The rapid uptake has been largely supported by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), introduced by a former Labor Government. This initiative has made solar more accessible by cutting upfront costs by approximately 30%. Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said

“We are lucky to call the sunniest continent on earth home, which means we’ve got access to the cheapest and cleanest renewable energy resource at our fingertips. Aussie homeowners know rooftop solar is a no-brainer when it comes to bringing down bills, which is why we have been installing about 300,000 rooftop systems a year and there is no sign of that slowing down.”

“The four millionth solar installation is an incredible milestone for Australia and another sign of how the Albanese Government’s Reliable Renewables Plan to bring on more of the cheapest and cleanest form of energy is working for Australian households.This is all in stark contrast to the Opposition’s anti-renewables obsession being exploited under the guise of a nuclear scheme that won’t create any jobs or energy for another 20 years and would only push up bills and slow down cheap renewables.”