Australia has become the first country to sign a historic international agreement aiming to double the number of solar-powered homes worldwide by 2030, placing residential clean energy at the centre of upcoming UN climate negotiations.
Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen endorsed the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration during the Pacific Pre-COP meeting in Fiji.
The declaration provides a policy framework to help governments reduce installation red tape, expand household finance, upgrade distribution grids, and train local clean-energy workers.
The initiative underpins the global 300 Million Solar Homes campaign. Approximately 150 million residences currently feature rooftop systems, with the initiative seeking to double that figure within four years.
Rooftop solar and battery storage represent one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global energy transition, projected to account for 42 per cent of solar capacity growth and over a third of all renewable growth by 2030.
In Australia, where over 40 per cent of homes already feature rooftop systems, an average household saves up to AU$1,500 annually on electricity bills.
Global Solar Council CEO Sonia Dunlop praised Australia’s early support and practical implementation experience.
“Families everywhere want to bring down their energy bills, and rooftop solar and storage lets them do just that,” Dunlop said.
“It took the world around 30 years to reach the first 150 million solar homes. We want to add the next 150 million in just four years.”
Smart Energy Council Australia CEO David McElrea said Australia’s leadership demonstrates how distributed generation can insulate economies from global fuel volatility.
“Solar is the cheapest, cleanest form of power in the world,” McElrea said.
“Rooftop solar cuts power bills, gives countries greater control over their own energy and protects households and economies from volatile fuel costs.”
Industry partners including Solar Citizens and the Smart Energy Council are now calling on national, state, and local governments globally to sign the declaration ahead of November’s COP31 summit.
