A new report by the Climate Commission has said that Australia is in a ‘solar revolution’ with the rapid uptake of solar energy systems by ordinary, mortgage paying Australians.
The report states that solar power systems have become more affordable than ever with over a million Australian rooftops now with solar panels installed – up from 8000 in 2007. This equates to more than 10% of Australians using solar power in their homes! According to the report, the cost of installing solar power now is a quarter of the price it was a decade ago. With electricity prices constantly on the rise, the cost of solar power is now competitive with the rate of electricity. Cost cutting and environmental benefits have been the two main factors driving people to consider solar power.
The massive growth experienced in the solar industry was unforeseen by anyone. The scale of growth over such a short period has been phenomenal. Even with this vast growth, the Commission says that we are still underutilising our potential. Australia in particular is one of the sunniest continents and well placed to be the global leader in solar technologies. Globally, we are seeing a huge shift towards more renewable energies and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. The report describes the shift as “inevitable.” It said, “Total global investment in solar energy grew to US$140 billion in 2012. Total global installed solar PV capacity grew by 42% in 2012, four times its level in 2009.”
“The things that have happened over the last five years in solar and in Australia weren’t anticipated by anyone,” said the chief of the Climate Commission, Tim 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 Climate Commission believes this is only the beginning.
With solar power and renewables playing such a big part in the Australian electricity mix, infrastructure needs to be upgraded with this in mind. The Climate Commission believes this may be a challenge but it is possible – it is also important that it be managed properly. “As increasing volumes of solar energy are introduced, the grid must adapt, and this will require investment and planning,” it says.
Professor Flannery has also tipped solar thermal energy to be the next big thing in renewable energy. “There’s a couple of new solar technologies which are really growing in popularity now, one of them being solar thermal that lets you generate electricity 24 hours a day,” he said.
There is no denying that there has been a huge uptake of solar power however, it is also clear that there are still many more rooftops that could install solar panels that have not yet. Professor Flannery said, “The key is stable policy settings. Stop-start programs are annoying for business.” Australia still has an untapped resource that we could take advantage of in the future.
Click here to read the full report – The Critical Decade: Australia’s Future – Solar Energy.