Australia leads world in rooftop solar as share of renewables jumps to 35%
Australia has set a renewable energy record with more than a quarter of households now generating power on their roofs.
2021 was the fifth record-breaking year in a row for rooftop solar as Australians installed approximately 380,000 new systems with a combined capacity of 3.2 gigawatts.
This brings the total to 17 gigawatts – a virtual power station comprising more than 3 million rooftops – as the largest generator in Australia.
2.9 gigawatts of new large-scale wind and solar power stations were committed in 2021. This includes the country’s largest wind farm, to be built in MacIntyre, Queensland.
The Hon Angus Taylor MP, Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction, said continuing investment in renewable energy has cemented our place as world leaders in bringing down emissions.
‘Last year $7.4 billion or $284 per person was invested in renewable energy in Australia. This puts us ahead of countries including Canada, Germany, Japan, France, China and the United States on a per person basis,’ Minister Taylor said.
The Australian Government has also committed more than half a billion dollars to support major transmission projects that will enable new renewable generation. ‘These include the Marinus Link needed to turn Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation vision into reality and Project Energy Connect and VNI West that will build new interconnectors between South Australia, NSW and Victoria,’ the Minister said.
Electricity costs for households are now at their lowest levels in 8 years. In the past 2 years alone, power costs have dropped 8% for households.
For small businesses, the average cost has fallen by 10% over the past 2 years. For large business customers, costs have fallen by 12% over the same period.
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