3 million Australians have solar rooftops
According to the Clean Energy Regulator the number of Australian homes enjoying rooftop solar power has increased from 7.5% in March 2011 to 16% by the end of 2013 reports Business Spectator. The data was released in a report prepared by Roy Morgan Research and offers a value snapshop of the solar climate across the country.
“Much of the success of solar power in South Australia can be attributed to incentives from both the federal government (through its Renewable Energy Target scheme) and the state government,” Warren Rein from Roy Morgan said. South Australia and Queensland represent the majority of solar power rooftops, combining for half of all solar in Australia (see graph below), followed by WA, NSW, VIC and less than 10% from the ACT, TAS and Northern Territory.
Interestingly, long term residents seem to find solar power more appealing. The penetration rate of solar panels rises when home owners have lived at current address for more than ten years, jumping to one in five households.
It stands to reason that solar power would appeal to residents with well-established roots who are settled with no plans of relocation. The emerging trend from the data suggests that new home owners are adopting solar sooner rather than later. New home buyers within the first three to five years are now twice as likely as before to install solar power.
Falling solar equipment costs, growing awareness of the benefits of solar, government incentives and wanting a feeling of empowerment over electricity costs have all contributed to 16% or new home owners installing solar panels. “This nearly twofold increase may suggest that people are installing solar panels sooner rather than later to generate long-term cost savings,” said Rein.
Reducing energy bills remains the primary motivation of prospective solar customers, with environmental concerns listed as the second leading concern. Both reasons sound pretty good to us.
