The rise of solar power has seen Australia become a powerhouse for renewable energy. Unsurprisingly, rising electricity costs during COVID-19 saw home and business owners across the country jump at the chance to solar panels as a way to offset the burden on hip-pockets. The trend isn’t going anywhere, either, with Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor announcing a milestone accomplishment for the country.
Earlier this week, Taylor noted in Parliament that Australia now has “the highest amount of solar capacity in the world”. That achievement includes more than a quarter of Australian homes choosing to have solar systems installed on their rooftops.
Taylor further noted that there are 644 watts of generation actively installed throughout the country. In addition to this, the Clean Energy Regulator estimated that a whopping (and record-breaking) 7.0 gigawatts of new renewable capacity was installed during 2020.
What sparked the rise of solar power in Australia?
As a country, we’re extremely fortunate to have an abundance of sunshine at our disposal. This means an endless capacity for us to store power during peak periods, especially in locations where blackouts are frequent (we’re talking about you, South Australia).
During 2020, COVID-19 wreaked havoc in a plethora of ways, and the energy industry was no exception. Even though restrictions and lockdowns hindered the volume of installations, energy usage rose by 105 percent since the onset of the pandemic, most notably due to remote work and at-home learning. That meant soaring electricity bills, influencing consumers’ will to find more sustainable, cost-effective energy solutions.
Enter, solar panels.
While many Australians have been enjoying this source of electricity for years, the impacts of COVID-19, combined with an increase in rebates and tariffs, have made this a high priority for consumers. What was once an ‘inaccessible’ or ‘expensive’ means of energy is now rapidly becoming commonplace, and 2021 is set to only further solidify the trend.
Why is now the time to install solar panels in Australia?
Homeowners across the country have the opportunity to take advantage of the discount on the upfront cost of solar power systems. While there is the initial cost to put forward, these solutions typically pay for themselves over time. Best of all, a majority of these systems now come with an extensive warranty, giving customers peace of mind on their installation.
Within just a few years, Aussies can enjoy a return on their investment, cutting costs of the energy bill from one quarter to the next. That’s a big win, especially when this opportunity continues for the entire life of the system itself.
It’s an exciting time for solar adoption.
