Our place in the sun: Australia’s uptake of solar panels is already through the roof. How much higher could it get?
Australia leads the world in per-capita rooftop solar installations, with 36% of households now utilizing the technology. Government subsidies and high energy costs continue to drive record-breaking adoption rates across the country.
Why it matters
Australia's rapid transition to residential solar power serves as a global case study for decentralized energy production and climate policy effectiveness.
Walk down any residential street in Australia and chances are you will see roof-top solar panels. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP Walk down any residential street in Australia and chances are you will see roof-top solar panels. Photograph: Tracey Nearmy/AAP Solar power Our place in the sun: Australia’s uptake of solar panels is already through the roof. How much higher could it get? Sunshine, government subsidies and high power prices are driving record solar installations
Prefer the Guardian on Google Zoom in on satellite pictures of the Melbourne postcode 3029 and one feature becomes glaringly obvious – there are lots and lots of solar panels on lots and lots of roofs.
“If you walk along the streets, it’s actually hard to see a house without solar panels,” says Saajidh Nizam, a software engineer who lives in Tarneit with his wife, two children and a 6.6kWh solar system on the roof.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in