Australia Backs Global Target to Double Rooftop Solar Homes by 2030

Australia has backed a global initiative to double the number of households with rooftop solar from 150 million to 300 million by 2030. The goal was outlined in the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration, announced at the 2026 Pacific Pre-COP meeting in Fiji.  

Australia is the first country to endorse the global target of doubling the number of households with rooftop solar by 2030. The declaration provides governments with a roadmap to make residential solar and energy storage easier and more affordable to adopt by reducing permitting barriers, offering accessible financing, upgrading power grids, and training local workers. 

The declaration is a key part of the 300 Million Solar Homes initiative. Its partners, including the Global Solar Council, the Smart Energy Council (SEC) of Australia, and Solar Citizens, welcomed Australia's support and called on other national, state, and local governments to follow suit. 

Australian Minister for Climate Change and Energy and COP31 President Chris Bowen announced Australia's support for the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration in Fiji. 

“Australia has rooftop solar on 35% of our homes. We are working to make rooftop solar more widely available around the world,” Bowen said. 

David McElrea, CEO of the Smart Energy Council, said the Australian government had shown its readiness to share the country's experience in rooftop solar with the rest of the world. 

“Rooftop solar lowers energy bills, gives countries greater control over their energy, and protects households and economies from fuel price and supply fluctuations,” McElrea said. 

Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO of Solar Citizens, described rooftop solar as a “sleeping giant” in global climate diplomacy, despite already supplying electricity to millions of households. 

“This important declaration provides a pathway to rapidly change that. We now call on leaders around the world, at national, state, and local levels, to sign the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration ahead of COP31 and help more people benefit from residential solar,” Douglas said. 

Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, added that it had taken around 30 years for the world to reach the first 150 million solar-powered households. 

“We want to add another 150 million in just four years. Australia's support and practical experience in implementation are exactly what we need to achieve this ambition in every corner of the world,” Dunlop said. 

Global Rooftop Solar Declaration 

Signatories will support practical cooperation in several areas, including city, state, and regional delivery partnerships; rooftop solar policy design; household financing models; grid access and energy storage; consumer protection and safety; workforce training and standards; deployment data and tracking; and access models for low-income and underserved communities. 

Rooftop solar and battery storage are among the fastest-growing areas of the global energy system. By 2030, they are expected to account for 42% of solar PV growth and 34% of total renewable energy growth.