New data has revealed that households and businesses in regional NSW are leading the charge in rooftop solar adoption, accounting for nine of the top 10 electorates for installations.
Figures released by the NSW Government today show the state leads the nation in rooftop solar installation, with more than one million homes and businesses now with rooftop solar – a third of all NSW homes.
The Barwon electorate in the state’s north-west has emerged as the leader with 24,537 homes and businesses with rooftop solar, followed closely by the Northern Rivers region with 22,743 in Ballina and 22,162 in Lismore.
While Riverstone in Sydney’s Northwest ranks as the fifth highest electorate in NSW for solar uptake, it takes the number one spot for battery installations in the country with around 1,500 households opting to capture their rooftop solar for use around the clock.
“From the Far West to the Northern Rivers, regional NSW is leading the charge on rooftop solar,” said Minister for Energy, Penny Sharpe.
“In the final quarter of last year, solar farms and rooftop solar provided 32% of our state’s electricity.
“Families and businesses are saving on their bill with solar, and the highest concentration is in the regions and Western Sydney.”
The top 10 solar electorates in NSW:
| Electorate | Solar PV installation |
|---|---|
| Barwon | 24,537 |
| Ballina | 22,743 |
| Lismore | 22,162 |
| Tweed | 22,161 |
| Riverstone | 21,037 |
| Dubbo | 20,584 |
| Clarence | 20,506 |
| Oxley | 19,790 |
| Port Macquarie | 19,457 |
| Albury | 19,161 |
An average four-person household with a 6.6kW solar system could save up to $1,400 per year.
