Image: chrischesneau
Latest estimates put the number of rooftop solar power systems installed across Australia at more than 2,001,130 – with approximately 20.3% of all Australian homes now boasting solar panels.
It’s a particularly impressive number when you consider that just a decade ago (end of 2008), the tally of grid connected systems was just 22,187.
The latest figures were published by the Clean Energy Council, based on data from Australia’s Clean Energy Regulator and with assistance from consultancy firm SunWiz.
The CEC says an average of six solar panels a minute are being installed in Australia. If large scale solar projects are taken into account, the estimate rises to 10-20 modules a minute.
The two million-plus systems represent a capacity of 7,878,000 kilowatts – or 7.878 gigawatts.
Queensland is continuing to lead the states and territories on numbers (592,425) and total capacity (2,313,000 kW). Four of Australia’s top five solar postcodes are also in Queensland. However, South Australia has pulled ahead on saturation, with an estimated 31% of homes with solar power, compared to QLD’s 30%.
Big Electricity Bill Savings
The cost of going solar has continued to drop and Australians are saving big bucks on electricity through harvesting the sun’s energy from their rooftops..
“Homes with rooftop solar installed are saving on average of about $540 per year on their electricity bills,” said Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton. “Solar is a clear way for consumers to take control of their power consumption and cut costs, and it’s growing quickly by word-of-mouth.”
Wider Benefits Of Solar
The nation’s booming industry is supporting thousands of jobs associated with businesses involved in sales, manufacturing and installation. Small-scale solar is also helping to alleviate strain on the grid, particularly during the hotter months when air-conditioners place huge demands upon it. As well as reducing electricity-related emissions, solar PV has had an effect of reining in wholesale electricity prices.
While all this is good news for the industry and consumers alike, Mr. Thornton urged Australians to ensure they take care when selecting a system and choosing a solar installer.
To help more Australians pick the right system, components and installation professional, SolarQuotes’ Finn Peacock recently released a full online version of his bestseller book, The Good Solar Guide, which is free to access.
The Guide steps readers through the process of first determining if solar power is right for them, and then how to go about selecting a good quality package and installer that will ensure tiny electricity bills can be achieved now and well into the future.
About Michael Bloch
RSS - Posts
And, with the news of RCR Tomlinson going broke, due to getting involved in solar farms construction;
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-12-03/rcr-tomlinson-administrators-reveal-debts-of-up-to-$630/10576754
–
”
McGrathNicol partner Jason Preston told creditors initial investigations revealed the company’s collapse was largely caused by problems with its solar farm developments, which left the business exposed to a number of risks, particularly if there were project delays.
”
and
”
RCR ran at the solar power movement hard and has been involved in building farms across the country, but it was a $57 million write-down on the value of two of its Queensland projects that burned it.
”
and
”
Among the solar projects left in limbo include the expansion of Synergy’s Greenough solar farm in Western Australia’s Midwest.
”
which is why the CEFC should be using all of its resources, to provide no-deposit, interest-free loans to householders, to get domestic rooftop photovoltaic systems with battery backup, so channeling the funding into safer, more secure, investment in clean electricity generation.
Are any politicians listening?
No – they all have coal in their ears…..
“[S]ix solar panels an hour” nationally doesn’t sound like much… is that entire systems per hour?
Great news either way. Hopefully in another decade a majority of homes will be on board.
Good spot! It is six solar panels per minute. Updated.
Can you please tell what is the total amount of energy collected roof top solar annually? Should be in GWh’s
There’s now around 7.5 gigwatts of residential and commerical rooftop solar capacity installed in Australia. This will generate around 10,000 gigawatt-hours a year.