Calls for mandated solar on new builds

A new report suggests that up to 75% of metropolitan Sydney’s annual energy needs could be met if every city rooftop had solar panels.

The ‘Sydney as a Renewable Energy Zone’ report by independent think tank Committee of Sydney found that Sydney’s energy demand is almost half of the state’s total demand, and a rollout of solar panels on every roof would generate 21 GW of renewable energy, which is 75% of the city’s annual energy needs. It states that a Sydney renewable energy zone (REZ) would create cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy and provide greater access to affordable battery storage and solar options.

“Having solar installed on absolutely every rooftop to reach 75% of Sydney’s energy needs is a major challenge, and we may not get there in full, but this finding shows what’s possible,” said Sam Kernaghan, Director of Resilience Program, Committee of Sydney. “There was a time when not every home had a television — just think about the benefits in the near future, if everyone could have access to affordable rooftop solar and storage.”

The report — developed in partnership with Endeavour Energy, Ausgrid, Arup and Arcadis — features six key recommendations, including:

• mandating solar panels on new residential and industrial buildings;
• improving access to household and community batteries;
• a trial of renewable energy generation and storage models at different scales;
• mandatory minimum energy standards for rental properties, with incentives for landlords to install solar;
• incentives for oversized industrial rooftop solar;
• identifying a government body to investigate opportunities in metropolitan Sydney.
   

“There is huge rooftop solar potential sitting on commercial and industrial buildings in the existing network which is currently unused and which we could harness to give back to our customers and businesses,” said Marc England, CEO, Ausgrid. “Rooftop solar consumed locally is the cheapest source of power available to customers, so we should be testing different models to access this untapped potential.”

The report states that a more stable renewable energy network will help Sydney meet the state’s net zero targets of 50% emissions reduction by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

“We know our customers want access to green energy that’s affordable, accessible and inclusive, and we see huge potential to deliver a faster, lower-cost and future-ready REZ model for Greater Western Sydney that repurposes our existing grid infrastructure to support more local solar, energy storage, and customer and community energy resources,” said Guy Chalkley, CEO, Endeavour Energy.

Kernaghan stated that almost 30% of Sydneysiders have installed rooftop solar; however, it is leaving millions who are not receiving the benefits of cheaper monthly bills. He said this scale of transition requires leadership and collaboration between multiple levels of government, regulatory bodies and industry, along with physical and digital assets working in tandem.

“[This includes] smart meters, virtual power plants and coordination platforms in an environment of rapidly evolving technologies,” he said. “It is an opportunity we can’t ignore.”

Image credit: iStock.com/ArtistGNDphotography