Over 90% of Australian renters lack direct access to solar

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Solar panels installed on roofs in South Australia. Image: CSIRO.

Wealthy renters in Australia are more likely to benefit from properties with solar power access with more than 90% of tenants in Australia lacking direct access, according to a study conducted by Macquarie University.

In the study based on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for over 17,000 renters surveyed between 2012 and 2020, the co-authors found that renters who benefitted from properties with solar power access could have their savings translated to more disposable income to spend on consumer items or investments.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

“In some cases renters can save hundreds a year if not a thousand depending on electricity usage, that’s significant savings when things are tough,” said Rohan Best, one of the researchers of the study.

The researchers also said that net wealth was better for identifying solar-access inequality than other socio-economic variables such as income, welfare receipt, or education.

Looking forward, Best suggested several ways that the government can do to narrow the gap between renters who have access to solar panels and those who do not. For example, rebates could be higher for the least wealthy 20% of renters compared with wealthy renters who were often paying the highest amount of rent per month in more expensive suburbs.

“Targeting landlords may be the most effective mechanism for change. Incentives could help persuade them to install the panels and savings are then partly passed onto the tenant,” said Rohan.

Long leases could also be a solution. After securing long-term tenants, landlords may be more inclined to invest in solar panels and absorb the costs in a sustainable rent price schedule.

Australia is ramping up its energy mix. This year, renewables including solar, wind and hydropower accounted for about 30% of Australia’s electricity generation. As of 2022, Australia’s cumulative large-scale installed capacity stood at 6,487MW, increasing from 5,627MW in 2021.

Read Next

July 2, 2025
A new state-owned green bank, the Energy Security Corporation (ESC), has launched in New South Wales, Australia, with an initial funding allocation of AU$1 billion (US$640 million).
June 11, 2025
A new report has claimed that creating a Sydney renewable energy zone (REZ) in New South Wales, Australia, could generate up to 21GW of renewable energy from rooftop solar PV.
June 6, 2025
France has registered zero or negative energy prices for 90% of days in May 2025, according to data from energy storage developer Storio Energy.
June 6, 2025
Australia’s Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has called on Australia’s climate change and energy minister, Chris Bowen, to “urgently intervene” on a rule change that could threaten to derail the uptake of rooftop solar PV.
June 6, 2025
ElectraNet has revealed that renewables supplied 100% of South Australia's electricity demand for 27% of 2024, roughly 99 days.
Premium
June 3, 2025
In May 2025, utility-scale and rooftop solar PV dipped by 579GWh month-on-month in Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM) to 2,861GWh.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 22, 2025
Bilbao, Spain
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK