PVTIME – According to the International Energy Agency’s National Survey Report of PV Power Applications in Australia 2024, Australia achieved a record 5.2GW of new solar PV capacity in 2024. This figure exceeds the country’s total cumulative installations of 5.1GW by the end of 2015, taking its overall solar capacity beyond the 40GW milestone.
The nation’s solar mix is dominated by distributed systems, with centralised projects operating in a supporting capacity. Of the total 40GW, distributed PV accounts for 65.25% (26.1GW), while centralised systems make up the remaining 34.75% (13.4GW). Of the new installations, residential, commercial, and industrial rooftop systems delivered 3.2GW, while utility-scale projects of 5MW and above contributed 2GW.
Australia is among the global leaders in rooftop solar penetration, with 44% of detached homes equipped with PV systems. Queensland and South Australia lead the way, each with a 50% installation rate. South Australia generates sufficient rooftop solar power during the midday peak to meet the state’s needs and export surplus power to neighbouring states. In contrast, Tasmania’s installation rate is just 20%, which is linked to its lower average annual solar irradiance of 3.7kWh/m².
Although the new capacity is a record, the IEA notes that Australia has missed the global top 10 for annual solar additions for the second consecutive year. Utility-scale solar has a planned capacity of between 10 and 30GW, and the government has launched a Capacity Investment Scheme with a target of 40GW. However, cumbersome grid connection approvals, slow congestion management, and fragmented access rules are increasing project costs and investment risks.
Australia now ranks among the world’s top 10 countries for cumulative solar capacity, with a per capita figure exceeding 1.52kW. The report highlights the synergy between distributed and centralised PV, coupled with strong solar irradiance, which has enabled solar energy to meet over 20% of the nation’s electricity demand.
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