Australia is one of the countries leading the solar charge and taking steps towards a sustainable future. We are a global leader in the photovoltaic sector, but how does its solar industry compare to the rest of the world?
Keep reading for a complete guide to the Australian solar industry, including an analysis of Australian solar panel statistics compared with other leading solar countries. Renewable energy is the only way forward should we wish to sustain our planet.
Australia’s Solar Industry
Solar and wind energy are the renewable energy sources with the highest potential to replace non-renewable energy. Petrol prices worldwide are rising, and this is placing an increased emphasis on pursuing renewable energy sources and investing in electric vehicles. Renewable energy is no longer just an environmental issue and now plays a vital role in decreasing the cost of living.
When it comes to renewable energy generation, wind power is Australia’s leading renewable energy source, making up 35.4% of the total generation. However, this is closely followed by solar energy generation, which makes up 32.9% of the total energy generation. This figure includes both small-scale solar installations, which make up 22.3%, and large-scale solar installations at 9.3%.
Solar power and wind power have the potential to power the world 100 times over, and the cost of installing renewable energy generators has plummeted, making it a more viable solution.
Australia has a vast landscape and low population, making it viable to be powered entirely using renewable energy. Our country will also likely not have to invest in offshore wind and solar plants, as there is abundant open space to work with. The regions with the highest amount of solar radiation to be harnessed using solar panels are the northwest and central regions, primarily desert regions.
The Australian government is committed to shifting toward solar energy, with a Clean Energy Initiative Solar Flagship Program, which has over $1.5 billion of resources to construct 4 large-scale solar power plants in Australia. Australia is showing a commendable commitment to transitioning towards more renewable energy sources to prolong the life of our planet.
Australia’s Solar Industry Compared With The World
Australia is 8th in the rankings for the countries that produce the most solar power. The countries that produce the most solar power are as follows:
- China
- The United States
- Japan
- Germany
- India
- Italy
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- France
- South Korea
China’s photovoltaic energy production makes up 3.9% of its total energy consumption. In terms of energy consumption to photovoltaic energy production ratio, Honduras and Israel are mitigating the environmental impact of their energy consumption with the most success by using solar power system. Honduras’ photovoltaic production is 14.8% of its total energy consumption, followed by Israel, where photovoltaic production is 8.7% of its total energy consumption.
Australia’s solar energy production still has a way to go, with only 0.1% of the total energy consumption accounted for with solar energy. However, the intent and plans to improve this figure bode well for the country’s sustainable future.
In October 2021, the Australian government pledged to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This plan involves making solar panels, solar water heaters, solar LED skylights, and solar batteries more accessible to households using grants and loans. Solar energy is a renewable energy source that is accessible individually. By opting for solar installations, Australian citizens can work to make net-zero more achievable.
Summary
Australia is displaying admirable commitment to switching to solar and wind energy production. Join the force today – get in touch with SolarPath to discuss your household solar power.
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