According to a new report from Australia’s Climate Commission, 2.6 million Australians now use solar PV to obtain their electricity.
That’s around 11 percent of the population getting energy from over 1 million rooftop photovoltaic systems – an amazing increase from just 8,000 systems in 2007.
The report finds that prices for some solar systems have fallen by over 75 percent during the past decade, and adoption is highest in the outer suburbs of metropolitan areas.
“Solar PV may soon be the most affordable source of electricity for Australians,” says the report. “Even today, in parts of the country, the initial investment in solar PV is paid back in seven years or less.”
Credit: Climate Commission
The Commission says most people installing solar panels are doing so to reduce their energy bills. “They are people on fixed incomes, particularly who don’t like this idea of getting a bigger and bigger electricity bill every year, and people with large mortgages,” Chief Climate Commissioner Tim Flannery told the ABC.
According to the Climate Commission, the solar industry is growing faster than expected, and there’s still plenty of room for growth. It’s the continent with the most sun, with lots of space for solar power generation that is currently underutilised. For example, Germany receives less sun that many parts of Australia, but has a more advanced solar industry thanks in part to government support.
“The things that have happened over the last five years in solar and in Australia weren’t anticipated by anyone,” said Flannery. “If you look at the government projections as to how the solar industry was going to develop, they were suggesting it would grow to the point it is now only by 2030.”
The report predicts that solar will become an increasingly important part of Australia’s energy mix, projected to provide 29 percent of the country’s energy needs by 2050.
“Australian scientists have always been at the forefront on solar technology, making the first solar hot water heaters in Australia in 1941 and playing a significant role in improving solar PV panel efficiency,” says the report. “Australia is well placed to continue to play a global leadership role in solar energy.”
