Australia backs goal of 150 million new rooftop solar systems globally by 2030

Australia is the first country to endorse a global plan to double the number of homes with rooftop solar by 2030 following its endorsement of the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration at the 2026 Pacific Pre-COP meeting in Fiji.

The Declaration is a roadmap for governments to make residential solar and battery systems easier and cheaper to install by cutting red tape, offering affordable finance, upgrading power grids and training local workers.

The Declaration underpins the 300 Million Solar Homes initiative, and its partners – including the Global Solar Council, Smart Energy Council (SEC) Australia and Solar Citizens – welcomed Australia’s endorsement and called on other governments at a national, regional and local level to follow.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy and President of Negotiations for COP31 Chris Bowen announced in Fiji the launch of the Global Rooftop Solar pledge.

“Australia has 35% of their houses with rooftop solar. We’re working to spread rooftop solar more around the world,” Bowen said.

SEC Australia Chief Executive Officer David McElrea the Australian government has shown it is prepared to take Australia’s global rooftop solar leadership to the world.

“Rooftop solar cuts power bills, gives countries greater control over their own energy and protects households and economies from volatile fuel costs and supply,” McElrea said.

Solar Citizens Chief Executive Officer Heidi Lee Douglas rooftop and home solar is the sleeping giant in global climate diplomacy, despite powering millions of homes.

“This pivotal Declaration provides a pathway to rapidly change that. We now call on national, state and local leaders around the world to sign onto the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration ahead of COP31 and help bring the benefits of home solar to millions more people,” Douglas said.

Global Solar Council Chief Executive Officer Sonia Dunlop added that it took the world around 30 years to reach the first 150 million solar homes.

“We want to add the next 150 million in just four years. Australia’s support and practical experience in implementation is exactly what we need to realise that ambition in every corner of the world,” Dunlop said.

Global Rooftop Solar Declaration

Signatories will support practical collaboration on city, state and regional delivery partnerships, rooftop solar policy design, finance models for households, grid integration and storage, consumer protection and safety, training and workforce standards, data and deployment tracking, and access models for low-income and underserved communities.

Rooftop solar, and battery storage, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the global energy system, expected to deliver 42% of solar growth and 34% of all renewable energy growth by 2030.