While the Covid-19 pandemic may have dampened potential international travel, it hasn't stopped the Aussies from achieving their green energy goals.
According to research by the Solar Analytics Group, SunWiz found that Australian households had more than 31,000 solar batteries installed in 2020, a 20% increase from 2019.
It is more impressive that the solar systems below 100 W grew by 39% compared to the previous year.
“In 2020, Australians continued to show a desire to reduce their electricity bills by making the most of the country's abundant and cheap solar power and by getting a battery,” said Warwick Johnston, SunWiz General Manager. “It was a surprisingly good year.”
Unsurprisingly, South Australia led the way in solar battery installation. Just over a quarter of the installations took place in this state. That influx could be related to the state's solar battery subsidy program, according to Johnston.
“There is such a high demand for [South Australian] Homeowners that the state government had to cut their subsidies to avoid overheating the market and exhausting available government funds too quickly, ”he said.
SunWiz estimates that solar battery adoption will continue to grow. The Analytics group is forecasting a further 33,000 installations this year alone.
Renewable energies can offer the same energy security as coal
In the meantime, new studies by the Australian Institute have shown that renewable energies can now secure the Australian electricity grid just as effectively as gas or coal.
They found that clean technologies like solar can provide the fast frequency response and voltage regulation needed to keep the grid safe. However, a lack of regulation is holding back growth.
“Coal-fired power plants are closing and being replaced with clean energy, but there is no national plan to replace the security services provided by coal,” said Dan Cass, energy policy and regulator of the Australia Institute.
“Batteries, renewables and demand response are held back by barriers that, despite their exceptional potential in this area, prevent them from contributing to system security.”
The Australian institute has recommended that new energy security rules be introduced so that renewable energies can contribute to network reliability.
If you want to learn more about renewable energy and how to use it in your home, check out our Renewable Energy FAQ guide.