Rooftop solar met 11% of Queensland’s energy needs in 2022-23. The Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts that rooftop solar could grow by 4 times by 2050. However, over this time electricity demands will also increase to power vehicles and electrified processes so that the proportion of demand met by rooftop solar will be less than 40%. To reach these big growth forecasts, we need to help rooftop solar and distributed energy along by:

• Mandating minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties and upholding strong energy efficiency standards for new builds
• Rolling out Virtual Power Plants in social housing to link up batteries and prove the operation of these in Queensland
• Provide support for tenants and landlords to install solar on rental properties

However, we will still need transmission and transmission connected renewable energy.