Another "extraordinary" month for solar, as homes "max out" roof space

Published by


The Australian rooftop solar market has experienced another strong month – possibly the highest ever – in February, adding to expectations that 2018 will be another record year for installations.
According to data from Green Energy Markets, there was 117.4MW of rooftop solar that created STCs (certificates) in the month of February.
This is actually higher than the record month of November, but according to GEM’s Tristan Edis, could be clipped back when some systems are identified as invalid.
Still, February had just 20 working days compared to November’s 22, and according to Edis: “These are extraordinary numbers.
“While we expect a fair chunk of this capacity in February in fact reflects installs and sales that were locked in from last year, the market is well above where it was the same time last year, and that ultimately turned into a record year for capacity.”
Interestingly, GEM’s analysis suggests that the bulk of rooftop solar systems between 10kW and 15kW are going on to homes, not businesses, as previously thought. (See graph above and transition from dotted blue component to dotted green).
“It seems that with the large drop in module prices many residential customers are now choosing to max out their roof with as much solar as they can fit,” Edis says.
Among them, or course, are prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, and Cory Bernardi, the climate denying, renewable-dissing former Liberal Senator who now heads his own conservative party, who has a 12kW system of his own.

This post was published on March 8, 2018 3:52 pm

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Rooftop solar growth nears record levels, led by Queensland and commercial installs

For a typically slow month, April 2024 has neared record levels of new rooftop solar…

May 2, 2024

Off-grid solar and battery system “twice the size of the MCG” slashes almond farm energy bill

AGL Energy completes installation of a huge stand-alone solar and battery microgrid that will power…

May 2, 2024

Australian made solar panels now available through more than 100 retailers

Australia’s only solar panel manufacturer says its retail network has more than doubled over the…

May 1, 2024

Solar apartments: State opens offer of up to $100,000 to install shared rooftop PV

Solar for Apartments Program offers up to $100,000 to eligible bodies corporate, 50% as a…

April 29, 2024

Home electrification rebate flooded with interest as gas exodus gears up

State government-backed rebate designed to install bulk residential rooftop PV and electric hot water has…

April 29, 2024

Landlords join call for rebates to help renters and apartments get solar and go electric

People who live in apartments are less likely to benefit from solar power or efficient…

April 19, 2024