Rooftop solar PV systems are estimated to have saved Australian state of New South Wales between AU$2.2 billion and AU$3.3 billion (US$1.7 billion to 2.6 billion) in just one year, according to a report commissioned by campaign group, Solar Citizens. Solar Citizens said this report is proof of the considerable benefits associated with solar energy and shows that people are ready to make the switch.
The report analyzed the period from May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017, and was delivered by Energy Synapse, an energy market consultancy. Energy Synapse found that without rooftop solar energy, electricity prices would have been between 33% and 50% higher. Costs were reduced by AU$1,400 to AU$2,200 for each megawatt hour produced by solar energy. The biggest monthly cost reduction was AU$740 million in February 2017.
Solar Citizens accused the federal government of political point scoring when it comes to renewable energy and appealed for increased use of solar energy.
Shani Tager, senior campaigner at Solar Citizens, said, “This shoots an enormous hole in the federal Government’s ongoing rubbishing of renewable energy."
Rooftop solar has been taken up by 1.7 million households and businesses in Australia and 370,000 in New South Wales. Solar Citizens is expecting solar energy to continue to expand in Australia.