Solar Citizens has recently expressed deep concern over the latest findings from the Australian Energy Regulator (AER).

The AER’s State of the Energy Market 2024 report revealed a troubling increase in the number of households struggling with energy debt.

Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO of Solar Citizens, highlighted the growing disparity between solar-equipped households and those unable to access this technology.

“Too many Australian households are trapped with increasing energy costs and energy debt because they are locked out of accessing rooftop solar.

“On average, solar households are saving $1,500 each year on their energy bills,” Douglas stated.

The AER report paints a grim picture of the energy market, showing a 6 per cent increase in the number of households indebted to their energy retailers over the past year.

More alarmingly, the average debt amount has surged by 17 per cent in New South Wales and 10 per cent in South Australia.

Across the states and territories, average debts for affected households now range between $800 and $1,450.

Solar Citizens estimates that approximately 60 per cent of Australians are currently unable to benefit from rooftop solar and other consumer energy resources.

This includes renters, apartment dwellers, and those in social housing.

Douglas highlighted the need for targeted support: “It is essential that these households receive the funding and support required to ensure they can fully participate in the clean energy transition by electrifying and decarbonising their homes.”

A recent analysis commissioned by Solar Citizens and conducted by the Australian PV Institute at the University of New South Wales reveals significant potential benefits if more households could access solar energy.

The study suggests that expanding rooftop solar installations could lead to annual cost savings of $9.3 billion for households.

Additionally, it could create 240,000 job-years in the solar industry, equivalent to employing 48,000 people for five years.

In light of these findings, Solar Citizens is calling on federal, state, and local governments to provide increased support for households seeking access to cheaper, clean solar energy.

Douglas emphasised the long-term benefits of such investments: “Australians need power bill relief, and government support for solar panels and home batteries would provide long-term relief and deliver savings for up to 20 years.”

As energy prices continue to rise and more households fall into debt, the call for government action to support renewable energy adoption grows louder.

Solar Citizens’s appeal underscores the potential for rooftop solar to not only alleviate financial pressure on households but also contribute to Australia’s clean energy transition.