Solar energy: Australia statistics reveal impressive growth in solar energy generation
Australia is rapidly embracing green energy.
In fact, statistics of solar energy use in Australia reveal how much solar energy we’re generating and using, which Australian states are performing best in the solar energy transition, and where Australia sits on the global stage.
In the first quarter of 2024, Australian solar farms produced 13.11 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity, a 13.5% increase from the same period in 2023.
By February 2024, Australia had over 3.7 million registered rooftop solar systems, with 2023 seeing a significant uptick in installations.
New South Wales led in rooftop solar installations for 2023, while Tasmania had the highest percentage of renewable energy usage, nearly 100%.
Solar energy: Australia statistics (solar energy generation)
Solar energy is playing its part in keeping the lights on across the country as the transition to renewable energy continues at pace. In the first quarter of 2024, Aussie solar farms generated 13.11 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity – a 13.5% increase from the same period in 2023. Renewable energy sources, including solar, generated almost 40% of Australia’s total electricity supply in 2022. That represents a 9.7% increase within 12 months, and a massive 23% increase from 2017.
Solar energy: Australia statistics (rooftop solar)
Australian households are also doing plenty of heavy lifting in the solar energy transition as more people choose to install rooftop solar systems.
As at February 2024, registered rooftop solar system installations topped 3.7 million across the country. In 2023, 337,498 households and businesses around Australia installed rooftop solar. That’s up from 315,499 households in 2022. In 2023, rooftop solar generated an impressive 28.5% of all renewable energy generated nationally.
Solar Energy: Statistics 2023 (rooftop solar installations by state)
As Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales unsurprisingly leads the race for rooftop solar – also known as small generation units (SGUs) – in 2023.
However, Queensland beat out Victoria for second place despite being home to around 1.5 million fewer people.
Number of small generation units (SGUs) installed in 2023
NSW | 102,480 |
QLD | 79,135 |
VIC | 65,208 |
WA | 34,586 |
SA | 27,130 |
ACT | 8,242 |
TAS | 5,534 |
NT | 1,171 |
Solar Energy: Statistics 2023 (renewable energy usage by state)
That picture changes when you consider how much renewable energy each state actually uses as a percentage of their overall energy usage.
In this race, Tasmania holds a healthy lead with almost all of the state’s energy generated by renewable sources.
South Australia also uses significantly more renewable energy as a percentage of their overall energy usage than Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Renewable energy as a percentage of overall energy usage
TAS | 99.4% |
SA | 76.8% |
VIC | 39.6% |
NSW | 35.5% |
WA | 35.1% |
QLD | 27.5% |
*Data not available for ACT and NT
Solar energy: Global statistics (solar generation by country)
So how does Australia perform in solar energy generation on the world stage?
Quite well, actually. In 2023, Australia made it into the global top 10 of countries by solar energy generation.
China is the world leader in solar generation by a long way, with the United States of America comfortably sitting in second place.
Top 10 countries by solar energy generation in 2023 (in terawatt hours)
China | 584.15 |
USA | 238.12 |
India | 113.41 |
Japan | 109.36 |
Germany | 61.56 |
Brazil | 51.72 |
Spain | 46.93 |
Australia | 45.08 |
Italy | 31.01 |
Vietnam | 29.37 |
Solar energy: Additional resources
Check out YourHome.gov.au for more information about sustainable living and solar energy for households. The Clean Energy Council is a great resource for information about buying and installing solar systems. Cheaper energy, gas, or solar could be just a quick click away.
Solar energy: Frequently asked questions How do solar panels work?
Solar panels work by using photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight directly into electricity. When sunlight hits the PV cells, it excites electrons in the cell, creating a flow of electric current.
How long do solar panels last?
Most solar panels come with a warranty of 20-25 years, but they can last 30 years or more. Their efficiency may decrease slightly over time, usually about 0.5% per year.
Can I install solar panels myself?
It’s generally recommended to have a professional install your solar panels to ensure they meet local regulations and are safely and efficiently set up.
Do I need a battery with my solar system?
Batteries are optional. They store excess energy for use when the sun isn’t shining, providing backup power and enhancing self-sufficiency. However, they increase the overall system cost.
What are the financial benefits of solar energy?
Financial benefits include reduced electricity bills, potential income from selling excess power back to the grid, and tax incentives. Solar installations can also increase property value.
What happens to solar panels on cloudy days or at night?
Solar panels produce less electricity on cloudy days and none at night. During these times, systems often rely on grid power or stored energy in batteries if available.
Do solar panels work in cold climates?
Yes, solar panels can work efficiently in cold climates. They may even perform better in cooler temperatures because excessive heat can reduce their efficiency.
Do solar panels require maintenance?
Solar panels require minimal maintenance. Periodic cleaning to remove dust and debris, and occasional inspections to check for damage or shading issues, are typically sufficient.
Is solar energy environmentally friendly?
Yes, solar energy is environmentally friendly as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and has a minimal environmental footprint compared to conventional energy sources.
Can solar panels work during a power outage?
Standard grid-tied solar systems shut down during a power outage for safety reasons. However, systems with battery storage or specific inverters can provide backup power during outages.
Sources
1 Renewables generate a third of Australian electricity in Q1 2024, Reuters https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/renewables-generate-third-australian-electricity-q1-2024-maguire-2024-04-25/
2 Almost 40 per cent of Australia’s electricity supplied by renewables, Clean Energy Council, https://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news/new-report-almost-40-per-cent-of-australias-electricity-supplied-by-renewables 3 Quarter 1, 2024, Australian Energy Council, https://www.energycouncil.com.au/media/fydjqofh/australian-energy-council-solar-report-q12024.pdf 4 Share of energy acquired from renewable sources in Australia in 2023, by state, Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1087804/australia-renewable-energy-penetration-by-state/ 5 Leading countries in solar electricity generation worldwide in 2023, Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1421748/global-solar-energy-generation-leading-countries/
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