As the new year rolls in, there is a fierce debate raging in regional Australia over the direction and impact of renewable energy projects on our farming lands. Some politicians have been quick off the mark to take advantage of this renewable resistance in certain regions and wedge a divide in our farming communities.
Whilst governments around Australia should be commended for taking steps to decarbonise our economy, mega infrastructure projects planned by government agencies for renewable energy zones should not be rushed. Big projects typically have a big impact on the lands they are built on and on the people of the land. A fair and genuine consultation process with the land holders must take place without being rushed and this will take time to get it right. Not getting it right risks damage to our precious farming land, biodiversity and food security. This is not an easy process, and we must balance planet, people and profits very carefully before the construction begins.
In the meantime, a report prepared jointly by the UNSW, Australian PV Institute (APVI), the Institute for Sustainable Futures at UTS for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, and the Property Council of Australia, has estimated the total potential for rooftop solar in Australia is 179 GW with an annual energy output of 245 terawatt-hours. This is higher than the current consumption in the national electricity market of about 200 terawatt-hours per year. Furthermore, around half of the unused potential for rooftop solar is in residential zones (96 GW).
Source: Australian Photo Voltaic Institute
It’s true that Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar with one in 4 households already enjoying the benefits of clean and affordable solar power. According to figures released by APVI, as of 31 Dec 2023 Australia’s total solar capacity including large scale projects reached 34.2 gigawatts. As a sun-blessed country, there is so much more untapped rooftop solar potential in Australia. Our unused rooftops are the easiest place for us to install solar panels and generate clean energy without interfering with our land use. It would be unwise for our government and everyday Australians to overlook the massive potential of the under-utilised assets right above their heads.