Australia urged to double rooftop solar by 2035 as Solar Citizens launches national Rooftop Solar Pledge at COP30

The Rooftop Solar Pledge is part of Solar Citizens’ Raise the Roof campaign — a movement to give more households access to affordable, renewable energy and to share in the benefits of Australia’s clean energy transition.

Australia already leads the world in rooftop solar, with more than four million homes generating their own power. But millions of Australian renters, apartment dwellers, and low-income households remain locked out of solar savings.

Solar Citizens’ roadmap to achieve the 2035 target includes three key priorities:

1. Unlocking Solar for Renters – Expanding incentives so renters and landlords can share in solar savings, backed by minimum energy efficiency standards.

2. Unlocking Solar for Big Roofs – Empowering commercial and industrial buildings to host large rooftop systems backed by storage that share clean power with surrounding communities.

3. Activating Urban Renewable Energy Zones (UREZs) – Creating towns and cities that are more energy self-sufficient, where households and businesses can generate, store, and share renewable electricity.

The Raise the Roof initiative builds on the success of the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries program, and recommends a 2035 storage target to support a doubling of rooftop solar, with continued support for home battery uptake including virtual power plant connectivity and vehicle-to-grid technology.

Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas said the pledge offers a practical, people-powered solution to lower energy bills, cut emissions, and strengthen grid resilience.

“Australians are world leaders in rooftop solar because households have been supported by the right government policies to enable mum and dad investors to take control of their energy bills,” Ms Douglas said.

 “Now we need the Federal Government to lock in the next phase of this success story — doubling rooftop solar by 2035 and ensuring everyone can benefit, not just those who own a roof.”

“Renters, apartment residents, and small businesses deserve a fair go in the clean energy transition. A national Rooftop Solar Pledge backed by policies to double rooftop solar by 2035 will deliver lower energy bills for decades to come, stronger energy independence and resilience, and lasting carbon emissions cuts.”

Solar Citizens estimates that achieving the pledge would avoid around 35 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year and deliver significant cost-of-living relief by expanding access to cheap, renewable electricity.

Ms Douglas said the pledge aligns with Australia’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement and will demonstrate how “people-powered energy” can drive national climate ambition.

“This is Australia’s chance to lead the world in a fast, fair and people-powered transition away from fossil fuels and towards cleaner, cheaper energy for all. By doubling rooftop solar backed by storage, we can power homes, strengthen communities, and show the world what a just, distributed energy future looks like.”

Solar Citizens also launched the Rooftop Solar Alliance, inviting civil society organisations across the Asia-Pacific to collaborate on similar pledges ahead of COP31.

Further Information: COP 30 Yellow Book – Rooftop Solar Pledge –  Solar Citizens’ roadmap to double rooftop solar, backed by storage, by 2035.