Solar and battery technology are rapidly reshaping energy systems, but policy, infrastructure and community incentives will determine how far and how fast the transition goes.

The invention, development and commercialisation of solar energy must go down as the leading area of innovation in the last century. It is now creating a revolution in the electricity sector with further economic transformation possible.

Initially the solar revolution was the domain of dedicated and cashed up environmentally conscious households but, thanks to University of New South Wales research and Chinese manufacturing, solar panels are accessible to all but some renters and economically disadvantaged households.

Solar power has disrupted the energy market because it has decentralised, decarbonised and democratised energy. Where, not that long ago, the source of our electricity came from centralised, carbon emitting, privately owned coal fired power stations, consumers now have the choice as to what energy source and where their power comes from.

Energy independence for a large swathe of the population is in sight. Consumers will be able to generate, store and use electricity and power EVs. Right sized systems with batteries provide free energy to the owner at the expense of retailers and fossil fuel companies. This revolution has met with skepticism, resistance and misinformation but the facts confirm that rooftop solar and batteries are penetrating the market at a steady rate and home batteries will ultimately be an automatic pairing with domestic solar panels.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen has reported that Australia had taken 10 years to put in the first six gigawatt-hours of household storage, and eight months to put in the second six gigawatt-hours of household storage.

Globally, it took a year to build a gigawatt of solar in 2004. In 2010 it took a month globally to build a gigawatt of solar. In 2016 it took a week, in 2023 it took a day and in 2024 it took half a day. Solar is now the single biggest investment on the global electric grid annually. It’s in excess of half a trillion dollars, and we’re just getting started.

Energy is such a fundamental input into civilisation that it carries enormous transformative opportunities. From households to industrial estates to small towns and regions it can unleash energy freedom. Energy independence for the nation is also a distinct possibility, obviating the expenditure of $15 billion by Australians.

At a household level government subsidies have been an important contributor to the increased uptake and confidence in solar power. They have quickened what would have occurred as consumers become more energy literate.

The massive growth in household solar and batteries is evidence of the maturity of the technology. Even the most ardent opponents of renewable energy acknowledge the role of domestic investment. They will never be able to stop the home electrification juggernaut.

Virtual Power Plants, micro-grids, vehicle to home charging, distributed energy markets and ultimate consumer control will become much more prevalent over the next decade.

The introduction of appropriate regulations enabling, for example, wide-scale vehicle to home applications, the closing down of fossil fuel generators and improved messaging can quicken the revolution further.

Governments through their expenditure and their policies have signalled their support for renewables and the investor community has largely responded. Some parts of communities, however, remain resistant to large scale solar and battery or wind farm and transmission infrastructure to be located nearby.

Better messaging and more innovative compensation for host communities is sorely needed. Governments and developers and industry groups have failed to recognise the simple solution being sought. NIMBY (not in my backyard) has been confused with WIFM (what’s in it for me).

The reported objections to renewable energy in the form of wind turbines, transmission towers and related infrastructure have translated into concerns about radiation, bird strike, electromagnetic impacts on sleep and brain function, the loss of prime agricultural land and the need for further mining of requisite materials, such as silica, copper, nickel, lithium, alumina, iron ore and an array of precious rare earths. Whilst some concerns (e.g. mining of materials) are valid, they are overstated and solutions can be found to mitigate impacts.

What is missing is a clear nexus between community hosting energy infrastructure and relief on energy costs. Property owners need to be compensated but renewable energy zone communities need to share the benefits that ultimately flow across the country.

Access to cheap electricity answers the WIFM. It builds support for renewable energy, it secures local businesses, removes energy stress, creates economic decentralisation and diversification opportunities, hastens the electrification process and can diminish the climate wars.

Governments, developers and investors need to get on board. The revolution is happening but not fast enough if we are to meet targets, let alone follow the science.