New study reveals 2 in 3 households considering rooftop solar after paying thousands more for energy this year

• 66% of households grappling with winter energy bill blowout
• 68% are willing to outlay $8000-10,000 on rooftop solar and battery systems to trim future bills

A new study has found that 2 in 3 Australian households are willing to outlay $8000-10,000 on rooftop solar and battery systems after expecting, or being lobbed with, energy bills beyond their expectations.

The findings point to a potential boom in rooftop solar. After a record 57,000 battery or energy storage systems were installed in Australian homes in 2023 – a 21 per cent growth on 2022[1] – and nearly 30,000 battery units were sold in the first half of 2024,[2] rooftop solar already accounts for 11.3 per cent of Australia’s electricity[3].

The findings come from a survey of an independent, nationally representative panel of 1000 Australians commissioned by Australia’s fastest-growing renewable energy provider[4], Green.com.au. The full results of the study can be found here: https://www.green.com.au/research/is-energy-bill-pressure-swaying-australians-toward-solar.

Green.com.au commissioned the survey to gauge the impact of significant energy price rises on household budgets and to understand if the financial pressure was swaying more householders to install solar power. It followed minor reductions in the nation’s 2024-2025 electricity price safety nets, which provided little relief from the 25 per cent household and 28.9 per cent small business price hikes of 2023-2024[5].

Energy bills before food

When considering their last energy bill, one quarter (24%) of households say they paid more than $300 per month than the same time last year.

Alarmingly, 34 per cent of householders say gas and electricity bills are their largest expense – well above the 21 per cent of householders citing food as the biggest cost. In NSW and Victoria, 39 per cent and 38 per cent of respondents (respectively) say energy bills take the largest slice of their household budget.

The findings support debate about minimum energy efficiency standards on rental homes, with Victoria set to shake up its minimum standards by 2025[6]. A recent study by Green found that 81 per cent of Australians support Victoria’s new standards, and 61 per cent would support all state governments adopting the same.

2 in 3 households likely to swing to solar

Householders overwhelmingly supported home solar and battery installations, with 68 per cent saying they are willing to invest $8000-10,000 if they could save $2000 on their annual energy bills.

The greatest support was in South Australia (76%) and the ACT (74%), followed by Queensland (70%). Support was slightly lower in NSW and Western Australia (67%) and Victoria (66%), where the climate is cooler, or the State is unaffected by spikes in electricity prices.

ENDS

The full study, including breakdowns across property ownership status, ages and States, can be found here: https://www.green.com.au/research/is-energy-bill-pressure-swaying-australians-toward-solar.

About Green

Established as Teho in 2020 by brothers David and Jonathan Green – and rebranded in May 2024 – Green.com.au is a recognised, award-winning renewable energy provider. Green is helping lead the way in the transition to renewable energy by offering innovative energy solutions to Australian households, ranging from solar panels and solar batteries, heat pumps, and installation of electric vehicle charging solutions. In 2023 the Australian Financial Review recognised Teho as a Fast Starter, taking top position in the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category, and 15th position overall.

[1] https://www.sunwiz.com.au/battery-market-report-australia-2024/

[2] https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news-resources/australia-s-love-of-rooftop-solar-continues-to-ease-energy-costs-on-homes-and-businesses

[3] As of April 2024. https://cleanenergycouncil.org.au/news-resources/rooftop-solar-generates-over-10-per-cent-of-australias-electricity

[4] In 2023 the Australian Financial Review recognised Teho (now rebranded Green.com.au) as a Fast Starter, taking top position in the Agriculture, Mining and Utilities category, and 15th position overall.

[5] AER releases final determination for 2023–24 Default Market Offer | Australian Energy Regulator (AER)

[6] Making rental homes better to live in (energy.vic.gov.au)