The Australian PV Institute (APVI) has just released its 2014 National Survey Report.
The report states Australia’s PV market grew in 2014, from 800 MWp in 2013 to reach 905 MWp by the end of last year. While the amount of residential PV capacity installed decreased, this was more than offset by the commercial solar sector and two large-scale solar farms.
Installed solar capacity throughout Australia has eclipsed 4 GWp; representing 7.2% of electricity capacity and 2.4% of electricity generation.
The decrease in residential solar installations would be due in part to market saturation – residential penetration levels in Australia average 17% and are more than 50% in some areas.
The rise of home solar power has been nothing short of phenomenal. In 2001, only 118 Australian homes had solar panels installed and Australia’s total solar PV capacity (all types) was 33MW.
There are now more than 1.4 million small scale solar power systems in Australia and according to Energy Matters, collectively these systems are generating electricity with a retail value north of $1.68 billion a year.
The APVI report estimates direct employment in Australia’s solar PV sector, where the positions are predominantly related to PV, in to 2014 to be 14,620 placements. Indirect employment would potentially double this number.
Among the notable solar projects during 2014 mentioned by the APVI is an Energy Matters (now SunEdison) solar installation on the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre (SBRC) at the University of Wollongong.
The APVI sees a bright future for energy storage, electric vehicles and energy management systems.
“All of these will change the ownership structure of energy assets, as well as the usage patterns and, because PV is leading the way, it is bearing the brunt of the initial negative response,” states the report.
The full National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Australia 2014 can be viewed in full here (PDF).
The Australian PV Institute is a not-for-profit, member-based association of companies, agencies, individuals and academics that operates with a goal of increasing development and use of PV via research, analysis and information.
A highlight among the APVI’s activities last year include the Live Solar Map; which among its many features are tools for mapping of PV penetration by postcode and local government area. The map is also a data source for the recently launched NEM Watch application.
