Queensland continues to lead the way in small-scale solar installations, according to the Clean Energy Regulator’s latest figures.
The CER provides a monthly snapshot of the small-scale renewable energy system installations under the Renewable Energy Target’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
There were 6,927 small-scale systems installed nationally in September, with a total generation capacity of 36,265kW.
Queensland continues to have the highest level of small-scale installations across Australia with 2,153 systems installed in September.
Queensland also had the highest number of commercial-sized solar PV systems (10-100kW), with 149 systems installed. There were 409 commercial-sized solar PV systems (10 – 100kW) installed Australia-wide in September. In addition, 132 of those solar systems had battery storage.
Small-scale solar installations rate affected by an oversupply of STCs?
Installation rates for September tracked lower than August, decreasing 13.6 per cent.
However, this could be a result of fluctuations in the price of the Small-Scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
In the first half of 2017 there was a 23% increase in small-scale solar system installations in Australia. While this was good news, it also led to an oversupply of STCs.
This, in turn, reduced the trading price of STCs from $40 to $30.50 (as at early September).
The price reduction of STCs can affect the amount of solar energy rebate installers are able to pass on to their customers.
NSW coming second in solar power uptake
New South Wales had the second highest level of small-scale installations across Australia in September. It represented 23 per cent of the total number of installations Australia-wide.
New South Wales had 104 commercial-sized solar PV systems (10 – 100kW) installed in September, with Casino the top performing NSW location.
There were 48 PV systems that had a concurrent battery storage installation in New South Wales in September.
Top performing solar postcodes in Australia
The highest performing postcodes in states and territories for September were:
- Yanchep (postcode 6035) in Western Australia
- Tarneit (postcode 3029) & Pakenham (postcode 3810) in Victoria
- Northgate (postcode 5085) in South Australia
- Upper Coomera (postcode 4209) in Queensland
- Gunn (postcode 0832) in the Northern Territory
- Casino (postcode 2470) in New South Wales
- Ngunnawal (postcode 2913) & Moncrieff (postcode 2914) in the ACT
- Launceston (postcode 7250) in Tasmania
