Devendra Kumar
In June 2024, Australia experienced a notable decline in rooftop solar PV installations, marking the lowest point since January of that year. According to Sunwiz, a solar consultancy group, installations totaled 247MW, down 14% from May’s 288MW. This dip was attributed to a market downturn observed earlier in the year, though May had shown a temporary spike in volume.
Despite the monthly decrease, June’s installations exceeded those of the same month in 2022 and 2023, though falling short of 2021’s 275MW. The overall trend reflects ongoing fluctuations in Australia’s rooftop solar PV market, influenced by seasonal and economic factors.
Across Australia, all states and territories experienced declines in June installations compared to May. Queensland showed the smallest drop at 12%, while Tasmania, Western Australia, and South Australia faced more substantial reductions of 22%, 18%, and 21% respectively. These figures underscore regional variations in solar adoption influenced by local policies and economic conditions.
Small-scale systems, particularly those below 6kW, saw less severe declines compared to larger installations in June. Systems under 3kW and 4-6kW decreased by 4% and 3%, respectively, while 6-8kW and 10-15kW systems experienced larger drops of 20% and 15%. This highlights a preference for smaller, more accessible solar solutions amidst broader market uncertainties.
Looking ahead, Queensland aims to significantly expand its rooftop solar capacity through new renewable energy zones in Townsville and Caloundra. These zones are set to include substantial battery energy storage and additional solar PV, contributing to Queensland’s renewable energy goals.
In parallel, the solar industry continues to evolve globally with events like PV CellTech USA focusing on future PV manufacturing trends and technologies. Such conferences play a crucial role in shaping the industry’s trajectory, addressing supply chain issues, and advancing solar technology innovations.
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