Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 2 days ago
Rooftop solar spreads across Australia as installations head for a record year
Australia has about 4 million homes and small businesses with rooftop solar, and 2026 is on track to be a record year for new systems.
Around 36% of households have solar, and the Melbourne postcode of 3029 has more rooftop systems than anywhere else in the country.
Government certificates have helped cut the upfront cost of installing panels for more than 20 years.
High electricity prices, relatively light regulation and homes with plenty of roof space have also encouraged people to install them.
Rooftop solar supplied almost 14% of Australia’s electricity in the past 12 months, up from less than 3% a decade ago.
Its growth has changed the power system, reducing demand from the grid and helping push wholesale prices to zero or below in the middle of the day.
New rules require electricity retailers in most areas to offer customers three hours of free electricity each day, and the government certificate scheme has been extended to cover larger systems on corporate premises.
Australia has about 4 million homes and small businesses with rooftop solar, and 2026 is on track to be a record year for installations.
More than 28,000 rooftop solar systems have been installed in Melbourne postcode 3029 since 2001, the most of any Australian postcode.
Rooftop solar supplied almost 14% of Australia’s electricity in the last 12 months, up from less than 3% a decade ago.
High electricity prices, government support and homes with ample roof space have helped drive adoption.
In the second quarter of 2026, 102,234 rooftop systems were installed, a quarterly record.
- Who
- Australian households and small businesses are installing rooftop solar. Postcode 3029 in western Melbourne has the most installations.
- What
- Rooftop solar adoption is growing, with 2026 on track to be a record year for installations.
- When
- The article was published on 10 October 2026; it says the second quarter of this year set an installation record.
- Where
- Across Australia, with postcode 3029 in western Melbourne leading in rooftop solar installations.
- Why
- High electricity prices, government certificates that reduce upfront costs and homes with ample roof space are among the reasons.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 28,000 rooftop solar systems were installed in postcode 3029.
Rooftop solar generated less than 3% of Australia’s electricity, while coal supplied 75%.
Rooftop solar supplied almost 14% of Australia’s electricity, while coal supplied 50%.
Australia recorded 102,234 rooftop solar installations, the highest quarterly total on record.
The article reported that 2026 was on track to be a record year for installations.
- Australia rooftop solar systems
- About 4 million homes and small businesses
- Households with rooftop solar
- About 36%
- Postcode with most installations
- 3029, western Melbourne
- Systems installed in postcode 3029 since 2001
- More than 28,000
- Rooftop installations in second quarter of 2026
- 102,234
- Rooftop share of electricity in the last 12 months
- Almost 14%
What people are saying
If you walk along the streets, it’s actually hard to see a house without solar panels
low-density housing and a lot of roof space, making [solar] easier to install
fundamentally changed the electricity system
given millions of consumers a more active role in how they produce and use electricity, and now store it with the influx of residential batteries
Sources
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