The success of solar power indicates how open to clean technology consumers can be.
Or so says David Green, Clean Energy Council (CEC) chief executive, who described his vision of Australia's sustainable future to delegates at a conference in Melbourne last week.
He claimed clean technology is driving the market towards smaller distributed energy systems (such as solar PV) and better demand management.
So what's causing this focus on environmentally friendly upgrades? In most cases: cost.
And while it may not be the most altruistic of reasons, Green claimed rising bills can push even the most stubborn of households to consider shaking up their energy ideals.
"Ten years ago, no one predicted that today more than one in ten Australian homes would have solar panels on the roof," he explained.
Citing a Grattan Institute report, Green said energy bills could rise by $170 a year for gas within the next seven years.
"This could well drive further innovation as consumers seek out new ways to reduce their power bills – just as one million solar consumers have already done," he added.
While it's impossible to predict the future, the CEO continued, it looks like energy efficiency and sustainable methods can meet the needs of Australia's population.
Posted by Mike Peacock