Help Australia achieve 100 per cent renewables by 2030

The South Australian Government shocked the country back in 2019 when mining minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan declared that the state could be net 100 per cent renewables by 2030.

At the time, it seemed like a bold declaration, especially as most goals including the 2015 Paris Agreement are targeting 2050 as the timeframe to power entire nations with renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions to net-zero.

But with ANU Energy Change Institute forecasts showing that Australia could achieve 50 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and 100 per cent in the early 2030s, this target is now looking realistic for the whole country. For this to happen, we will all have a role to play.

How installers can help reach this goal

Awareness and education is a big way that installers can inspire more residential and business consumers to take up solar PV systems. Research has shown that 85 per cent of consumers want more renewable energy so the mindset is there for people to embrace solar solutions.

There is a huge market of people out there that accept that renewables are the energy sources of the future and know that we need to transition away from fossil fuel sources, all they need is some inspiration to take action.

By showing them the value that they can receive on their bills, the rebates available to reduce installation costs and the data on solar panel efficiencies and cost reductions you can help provide that inspiration. It wasn’t until the early 2000s when only those with lots of money could afford solar; today it is highly accessible and affordable.

Making the process as simple as possible for consumers with package deals including rebates is another way to help inspire them to make the leap.

How consumers can contribute

Purchasing solar PV systems is the obvious answer but it is not the only thing that consumers can do to help us reach 100 renewables by 2030.

Consumers have already shown they want businesses to lead by example and a good way to push the renewables drive is to only shop with companies that have a renewables focus.

Be careful of claims from businesses that they are using renewables, though, and be sure to ask more questions. Because an Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) report has shown that while 46 per cent of business have adopted renewable energy solutions, two-thirds of those businesses are only using it to account for 10 per cent or less of their power needs.

Due diligence is required to ensure that the brands you support are pushing for more ambitious targets than that. For businesses themselves, the focus needs to be on either adopting or improving renewable energy solutions to power more of their operations.

It makes sense on two levels because it means more affordable electricity which means more profits while consumers are more likely to choose your brand over others which is positive for your future growth as well.