Australian PV market sees high demand in spite of pandemic

03/18/2021 | Print view

EUPD Research recently published the results of the 13th edition of the Global PV InstallerMonitor 2020/2021 for the Australian market, and the demand-side is very healthy.

The Australian rooftop PV market is prospering. Due to various incentives and national government support, the Australian PV market is showing strong growth in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. These and further results will be presented live online at Solar & Storage DigiCon.

Bonn. The Australian PV market has witnessed a strong growth in recent years. By the end of 2020, the cumulated Australian PV capacity reached about 20 GW. High customer demand is driving the PV installations despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to another record high in new installations in 2020.

What are factors that positively influence the current PV market?

The Global PV InstallerMonitor 2020/2021 by EUPD Research targets installers in selected core PV markets. This year, 200 Australian installation companies participated in the survey. The report provides exclusive insights on the latest developments of the rooftop PV segment in Australia.

The surveyed Australian installers indicate that customer demand (64 %), funding schemes (56 %) as well as the current environment- and climate debate (49 %) are factors that positively influence the current PV market situation. Currently, the Australian PV market is benefitting from incentives and support from the national government through the Renewable Energy Target (RET), with incentives divided into two segments: The Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET) for PV systems larger 100 kW and the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) for systems less than 100 kW. Hereby, the adjustment of pricings and the various support programs of the Australian states, have led to a significantly increased customer demand over the last few years.

Pandemic will have no or positive impact

The strong demand is expected to continue. Furthermore, installers are also very positive about their expectation of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their PV business in 2021: while the majority of the installers indicate that the pandemic will have no impact on their PV business, 29 % of the surveyed installers expect a significantly positive or a positive influence; merely 16 % of the survey participants expect a significantly negative or negative effect.

This year’s version of the Global PV InstallerMonitor 2020/2021 for the Australian market not only examines the current situation and the expectations of the installers, but also the recurring topics such as which module-, inverter- or storage brands installers carry in their portfolio, how and where they purchase their components, and to which extent they are satisfied with the brands they offer. A short section about electric mobility is included in the report as well. (mfo)