Huge surge in household solar panel installations

Solar panel installations ‘skyrocket’ in Australia, ABC News, By consumer affairs reporter Amy Bainbridge , 14 Apr 17 There has been a big surge in the number of households installing solar panels, with March installations reaching their highest level in almost five years.

Key points:

Solar panels were installed on about 15,000 homes and businesses in March 2017
Installations have hit their highest level in almost five years
Experts say rising electricity bills and recent blackouts in SA are turning people to solar

Warwick Johnston from energy consultancy firm Sunwiz crunched the numbers and said 91 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems were installed during the month.

“March has been a very impressive month for 2017,” he said.

“We already saw a surge starting to build up in 2016, and we were wondering if that was going to continue into 2017 and it really has just continued to skyrocket.”

Queensland led the way, installing 25 megawatts of capacity, which is enough to power about 5,500 homes and businesses.

Installations were also up in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.

Mr Johnston said the recent blackouts in South Australia were a factor in the rising demand.

“People are certainly aware of the benefits of solar power and storage to offset or protect against grid blackouts, and that has been a driving factor in the uptake of solar,” he said.

“We’re seeing the uptake occur in states which weren’t affected by those blackouts as well, so it really is people being aware that solar panels are a great way to beat rising electricity bills.”

Installation figures in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT were flat……http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-14/solar-panel-installations-skyrocket-in-australia/8443550