ROOFTOP solar is surging in Australia, with the rate of installation jumping by almost 60pc in 2018, overtaking the previous record set in 2017.
Climate councillor and energy expert Professor Andrew Stock said Australia was one of the sunniest and windiest countries in the world, so the new record came as no surprise.
“More Australian homeowners and businesses are turning to clean, affordable and reliable renewables like solar, harnessing the power of the sun and taking control of their power bills,” he said.
“The boom is creating a jobs boost to the economy, with rooftop solar providing just shy of 5500 full-time jobs.
“If this recording-breaking renewables rush continues, within just five years the amount of solar capacity installed will be two and a half times bigger than Australia’s largest coal-fired power station.”
The Climate Council’s report released this month found almost half of the nation’s businesses were making the switch to renewable energy with electricity prices rising by almost 90pc over the past decade.
“Australia urgently needs credible climate and energy policy to support our boom, while the proposed National Energy Guarantee, in its current form is woefully inadequate when it comes to tackling pollution from power generation and risks bringing Australia’s renewables and storage boom to a grinding halt,” Prof Stock said.
