The Australian Bureau of Statistics has confirmed that the solar revolution is taking place on rooftops across the nation with the release of new data today showing one in five households now use solar energy.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said millions of Australian are now experiencing for themselves the benefits of rooftop solar.

“The growing number of Australian households with rooftop solar are generating local jobs, producing clean energy and taking control of their power bills,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“We know that most households that have installed solar are on lower and middle incomes because these people are more sensitive to rises in power prices and solar helps reduce power costs.

“Many more households are looking to install solar as a way to take control of their rising power bills. 

“The best way the Federal Government can support Australian households in making the transition to solar energy and reducing the cost of power is to keep the Renewable Energy Target strong. 

“The Government’s own Warburton Review showed that having rooftop solar and renewable energy in the national power mix would reduce electricity prices for all Australian families in the long-term.

“New polling from The Australian Institute shows 75% of Australians support an increase in the Renewable Energy Target, not a decrease.

“Significantly, 64% of self-identified Liberal voters support an increased Target, while 43% of Liberal voters agree with an ambitious Target of 50% or more renewables by 2030.

“Our political leaders should catch up with the vast majority of the community and the one in five households who use solar energy and support more solar, not less,” she said.

Claire O'Rourke is available for comment. 

Download the ABS solar data here: http://bit.ly/1yH1KPn

Solar Citizens can assist with case studies of households who have installed solar hot water heating or solar power in most Australian capital cities and some major regional centres.

Media contact: Amy Gordon 0410 631 404

Australia’s politicians are lagging far behind the community who are overwhelmingly in support of all types of renewable energy, according to new research for Solar Citizens. 

Despite sustained attacks on renewable energy from the Federal Government, including its flawed Warburton Review, three-quarters of the community want to see an increase in the Renewable Energy Target – not any reduction in the scheme.

Significantly, the poll conducted by The Australia Institute found 64% of self-identified Liberal voters support an increased Target, while 43% of Liberal voters would support an ambitious Target of 50% or more renewables by 2030.

Solar Citizens National Director Claire O’Rourke said Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the Government could not continue to ignore the deeply felt popular support for growing renewable energy among Liberal voters and across the nation.

“The Australian community wants political leaders who can fast-track the growth of renewable energy such as solar and deliver on the jobs and cost savings on household power bills that this brings,” Ms O’Rourke said today.

“Solar Citizens today calls on all political leaders to catch up with the vast majority of the community and commit to a target of at least 50% renewable energy in our system by 2030.

“The message for Prime Minister Abbott, his Government and the vested interests trying to hold back renewable energy in this country is clear: help deliver a bright future for Australian energy now or make way for political leadership that can get this done,” she said.

The community wants Australia to invest in and support more capacity of all types of renewable energy:

• 83% want more solar energy plants;
• 74% want more wind turbines; and
• 85% want more rooftop solar.

“Australians are ready for the jobs, opportunities and savings on power bills that solar and other renewable energy technologies deliver. More than 1.3 million households - that’s at least 2 million voters - have already installed rooftop solar power and are now enjoying lower power bills,” Ms O’Rourke said.

“Only 4% of people surveyed think Australia is ‘leading’ in terms of renewable energy generation. A Renewable Energy Target of at least 50% by 2030 can help power a strong economy, ease the cost of living for Australian families struggling with rising power prices and make sure we don’t get left behind,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Contact: Jane Garcia 0434 489 533

Solar Citizens welcome Labor’s decision to walk away from the Renewable Energy Target (RET) negotiations following the Abbott Government’s repeated attempts to destroy the solar and renewables industry.

Solar Citizens welcomes Senator Ricky Muir’s commitment to a full 41,000 gigawatt hour Renewable Energy Target (RET).

Solar Citizens is calling on the Federal Government to abandon its attempt to cut the Renewable Energy Target following the release of the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report.

Comments by AGL Chief executive Michael Fraser that the Renewable Energy Target should be scrapped show how out of step the big power companies are with the majority of community members who want more solar energy.

The Federal government’s opening gambit in negotiations on the Renewable Energy Target is little more than the ‘Warburton Report in sheep’s clothing’, according to community solar group Solar Citizens.

The best way for Queenslanders to save on their household power bills is to keep the full Renewable Energy Target and introduce more solar-friendly energy policies at a state level, according to Solar Citizens.

Supporting households to go solar is the best way to tackle the energy affordability crisis in NSW says Solar Citizens.

Solar Citizens has welcomed media reports today that Federal Cabinet has rejected the flawed Warburton review into the Renewable Energy Target but warns the best way for Australians to save on their household power bills is to keep the full Renewable Energy Target.