Australia’s rooftop solar boom continues with 3 GW added in 2024
Rooftop solar produced 30,178 GWh of electricity in 2024, accounting for 12.4 % of the nation's total supply, an increase from 11.2 % the previous year.
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Australia: Australia’s rooftop solar sector saw significant growth in 2024, generating 30,178 GWh of electricity and supplying 12.4 % of the nation’s total power, up from 11.2 % the previous year. According to the Clean Energy Council’s latest report, 300,075 new rooftop solar systems were installed throughout the year, with 159,011 added in the second half alone.
The report also confirmed that Australia’s total rooftop PV capacity surpassed 25GW, exceeding the combined capacity of black and brown coal (21.3 GW in 2023-24).
Australian households and businesses are reaping financial benefits from rooftop solar, with annual energy bill savings exceeding $3.8 B (AUD $6 B). On average, a family with solar saves $958 (AUD $1,500) per year, and nearly double that with battery storage.
Battery adoption is also rising, with 45,233 home battery units sold in the second half of 2024, marking a 55 % increase from 2023. Currently, 185,798 home batteries are installed across the country.
However, only one in three rooftop solar owners has a battery, mainly due to the high upfront cost, averaging $7,650 – 9,560 (AUD $12,000–$15,000). Clean Energy Council’s Con Hristodoulidis is advocating for a national home battery rebate scheme to make storage more accessible and maximise household savings.
Approximately 27 % of rooftop solar owners export excess energy back to the grid, contributing 10 % of the total electricity delivered by distribution networks in 2023-24. Queensland and South Australia lead in self-generation exports, with rooftop solar accounting for 99 % of all distributed energy exports.
With continued adoption and potential policy support, rooftop solar and battery storage are set to play a growing role in Australia’s energy transition.
Source: Power Engineering International
#Australia#Clean Energy Council#Con Hristodoulidis#electricity supply#PV#rooftop solar boom
