They call Australia the sunburnt country, largely because of our abundance of arid land and year-round sunshine. But what you may not know is this wealth of space and sunshine has also positioned Australia as a world leader when it comes to renewable energy, especially rooftop solar panels that are popping up on more homes and businesses every day.

While Australia has typically been known for its export and use of fossil fuels - especially coal - solar energy now makes up over 10 percent of the country's total energy supply, according to recent findings outlined in the Clean Energy Council’s new Rooftop Solar and Storage Report.

And on that same note, it’s also a telling statistic with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimating that 90 percent of the world's electricity can and should come from renewable energy by 2050. With solar set to lead the way in energy production over the rest of the century and perhaps beyond, Australia’s position as a high-capacity solar producer speaks to just how little our national energy sector is reaching its full potential.

There are many growing renewable energy trends that are changing the future of Australia's energy landscape and this article will explore how Aussie home and business owners can tap into these trends and set themselves up for a sustainable future.

Australia’s Rooftop Solar Boom

While there are significant solar farming projects and massive arrays of panels appearing on business rooftops and rural properties, it’s the domestic market that has been truly remarkable. 

As outlined in the CEC’s Rooftop Solar & Storage Report, more than 3.4 million Australian homes now have solar panels installed and this number is rising sharply every year as homeowners look for energy savings and a more sustainable future. 

A large driver of this adoption has been the advancement in solar batteries and improvements in solar panel technologies, allowing homes to store energy and run off renewable power at night time and when the sun isn't shining.

The cost of these panels and batteries has come down as well, providing a financial incentive for Aussie homeowners to become more sustainable and save money on their power bills as well.

Solar Energy's Role in Australia's Renewable Energy Future

Australia is thinking big when it comes to ambitious, long term renewable energy goals. Over a third of all our electricity was produced by renewable energy projects in 2023 with solar making up the largest slice of the pie.

The heavy uptake of rooftop solar panels has played a large role in these statistics and makes Australia more unique than other nations, because a large chunk of our renewable energy is coming from a decentralised source. 

Because these rooftop solar panels are privately owned, Australia's present and future in the renewable energy space is firmly in the hands of individual households and small businesses, allowing everyday Australians to actively participate in the renewable energy revolution.

The Benefits of Rooftop Solar for Australian Households

For those that are on the fence when it comes to solar energy, there are numerous benefits to consider that could inspire you to join the renewable energy revolution.

The first is energy independence, a factor that has been significantly boosted by the advancements in solar battery technologies. Homes can now harvest solar energy, store it for use at night time, during inclement weather and when there are power outages to the grid, while also earning rebates for sending renewable energy back to the grid for everyone to use.

It is not just the batteries that have dropped in price either. Solar panels that used to cost tens of thousands of dollars can now be purchased and installed for significantly less. There are even portable options that can be used on your vehicle or boat when camping or enjoying recreation time.

Of course, solar energy is about more than just saving money. It is a way to free ourselves from the shackles of finite fossil fuels that are harmful to the environment and will one day run out completely. 

Coal contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and will become more expensive as it becomes harder to find, meaning the tipping point is now for those wanting to help the environment and save money at the same time.

Key Renewable Energy Trends in Australia

As mentioned, solar battery storage solutions are the biggest trend at the moment. Because the modern rooftop solar array can generate more energy than a household or small business needs, the excess power can then be exported to the grid or stored in a battery for use when the panels are not harvesting energy.

The number of solar battery installations in Australia is also rapidly growing, with roughly 56,000 household storage units installed in 2023, up from around 43,000 in 2022 and 37,000 in 2021. This trend is expected to continue as battery technology becomes more affordable and efficient.

Another emerging trend is the growth of virtual power plants (VPPs), which aggregate solar and battery systems across multiple households to act as a single energy source. VPPs allow homeowners to sell excess electricity back to the grid, creating a network of decentralised power sources that help balance supply and demand on the grid.

By participating in a VPP, homeowners with solar panels and battery storage can earn money for the excess energy they generate while also contributing to the stability of the broader energy network.

As solar technology continues to improve, and as more Australians adopt solar panels and battery storage systems, the country will be better positioned to meet its renewable energy targets. In fact, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has forecast nearly 80 percent of homes will be powered by rooftop solar by 2050.

For Aussie households, the message is clear: investing in solar power and embracing new technologies can help lead the way toward a sustainable energy future.

Whether it’s installing solar panels, upgrading to battery storage, or joining a VPP, Australian homes have the power to drive further change and help reduce the nation’s carbon emissions while enjoying the benefits of cleaner, cheaper energy.