Solar panels on rooftops in Australia

Does Australia have rooftop solar?

Rooftop solar in Australia has reached new heights hitting 4 million installations across the country. With Australians installing about 300,000 rooftop systems a year, 1 in 3 Aussie homes now have rooftop solar. Solar uptake has been driven by the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) which cuts upfront costs by about 30%.

How do rooftop solar panels work in Australia?

Australia’s rooftop solar systems use sun rays to generate electricity for homes and businesses. Sunlight hitting the solar panels triggers the photovoltaic effect, converting it into direct current (DC) electricity. This DC electricity flows through an inverter, transforming it into usable alternating current (AC) that powers your appliances.

Can I install a rooftop solar power system in Australia?

Unless otherwise specified, states and territories give automatic approval to rooftop solar power panel systems that comply with the Australian standard for solar installation: 5 kW or under. In most states and territories, there is automatic approval given to any other solar power system up to 5 kW. However, this is in not set in stone.

How many rooftop solar systems are installed in Australia in 2023?

The report, developed with data provided by solar consultancy SunWiz, has also found that rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system installations reached 20 GW of total capacity across Australia in 2023. New South Wales broke the record for the highest annual installed capacity of any state, with 970 MW of new rooftop solar systems.