How Australia Got Solar Panels Into 30% Of Homes

Arial shot of a Melbourne, Australia neighbourhood with several visible rooftop solar panels. Photo by  Tom Rumble.
Arial shot of a Melbourne, Australia neighbourhood with several visible rooftop solar panels. Photo by Tom Rumble.

Rooftop solar installations now account for 11% of Australia’s electricity, contributing to a total renewable energy share of 38%.

  • Approximately one in three Australian households generate electricity domestically
  • The state of South Australia leads the way, with nearly 50% of its households equipped with rooftop solar.

The phenomenon is a result of ordinary citizens embracing solar technology to gain control over power bills and contribute to addressing the climate crisis by reducing reliance on coal.

  • Australia is now home to over 3.6 million solar-powered homes
  • This is attributed to a combination of uncoordinated government policies, including subsidy schemes and a national rebate, making solar panels cost-effective and easy to install.

The Australian government’s national rebate scheme, initially including an AUD $8,000 subsidy for a small 1kW array, has endured with bipartisan support.

Dig deeper: Click here to learn more about how Australia incentivized its citizens to adopt solar energy.

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