By Ewen McRae
Caroline Springs has one of the highest uptakes of solar power in the state, according to new figures.
According to the Clean Energy Regulator, there have been 4308 installations of solar panels in Caroline Springs since 2010 – the sixth most in Victoria suburbs.
Fellow western suburbs Hoppers Crossing (8170) and Werribee (6899) were also among the top 10 installers of solar panels, while Cranbourne (8245) topped the state.
Other top performing suburbs included Craigieburn (5185), Narre Warren (4363), Pakenham (3632) and Berwick (3410), while rural areas such as Waurn Ponds (3839) and Epsom (3406) rounded out the top 10.
Nic Frances Gilley, chief executive of solar-focused electricity provider DC Power Co, said growth in the western suburbs was a key driver in pushing up solar installations.
“There’s a perception that it’s an inner-city thing to do, but it’s actually the outer suburban areas like Caroline Springs and surrounds that are the biggest supporters,” he said.
“If you look at boom areas where there are a lot of new builds, to get the star rating that you need on your building, it makes sense to get solar.
“Our research says about 70 per cent of people get solar panels to help the environment, but
80 per cent also say it’s to save money.”
According to Mr Frances Gilley, about 20 per cent of Australians now have solar power, with that number expected to climb to nearly 50 per cent by 2050.
“We don’t really know how long it will take to get to that 50 per cent mark – it depends a lot on what governments do and how pricings change, but we do expect to get there eventually,” Mr Frances Gilley said.
“That’s more than double what we’ve got now so that’s a fantastic outcome.”
