Solar Citizens: Statement in response to Fed Government's $1billion solar manufacturing announcement
One in three Australian homes now has solar panels and there’s ongoing demand to power our homes on sunshine.
But so far our homegrown manufacturing industry has barely benefited from the leading uptake of solar. Today’s announcement enables Australia to turn a corner and allow the rest of the 60% of Australians who haven’t got solar to have the chance to buy quality Australian-made products.
This is a great opportunity to make it local and develop a solar panel manufacturing industry and clean energy export sector. The Australian Government’s announcement of $1 billion for the manufacturing of solar panels and related equipment is a significant step towards achieving this vision.
Domestically manufactured solar panels provide more transparency of supply chains and product quality and safety. The development of local panel manufacturing will provide more consumer confidence and help fuel further increases in rooftop solar uptake across the country.
The NSW Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative announced today also creates an opportunity for NSW, with Solar Citizens calling on the Minns Government to prioritise the purchase of NSW-made solar panels onto the rooftops of local social housing properties.
Government procurement of solar panels is a win-win for jobs, for slashing energy bills and for reducing climate pollution.
