The top solar postcodes, and Australia’s solar capital

Dubbo has emerged as Australia’s solar capital, with 28 per cent of the homes in and around the city in western NSW installing solar PV in 2011, displacing Caloundra in Queensland which held the title in 2010, according to a survey compiled by the Clean Energy Council.

Caloundra remained as the solar capital in the state Queensland, Echuca emerged as Victoria’s solar capital, Victor Harbour and surrounding areas in South Australia, and Pinjarra in WA. Around 9 per cent of homes in Australia had installed solar PV by the end of 2011, the CEC said, with more than half a million homes having solar PV installed. Victoria trails other mainland states with 5.7 per cent of homes.

The survey showed that contrary to what is often claimed, data from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator indicated that solar is not the province of the wealthy, inner city chattering classes. Indeed, inner-city suburbs often have some of the lowest rates of solar installation, but those in regional and lower-income suburbs, retirement belts and some coastal regions have embraced solar in the highest numbers, according to the CEC.

CEC acting CEO Kane Thornton said that with the price of panels now about a third of what they were was just three years ago, many people see solar power as a way to save on their energy bills as well as do something for the environment, and the data suggested those most exposed to rising power bills were more likely to invest in a solar system.

“We now have more than half a million solar power systems in Australia, but really we are just in the early stages of tapping in to the power of this technology. Solar panels are fast becoming the Hills Hoist of the 21st Century,” he said in a statement.

The top 10 NSW solar postcodes:

1. 2830 Dubbo and surrounds 28.0%
2. 2477 Alstonville, Rous, Meerschaum Vale 21.2%
3. 2486 Banora Point, Tweed Heads South, Bilambil 20.0%
4. 2400 Moree, Taloona 19.4%
5. 2880 Broken Hill, Silverton 19.2%
6. 2484 Murwillumbah 18.4%
7. 2147 Seven Hills, Lalor Park 18.2%
8. 2478 Ballina, Lennox Head 17.3%
9. 2483 Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores, Billinudgel 16.6%
10.  2550 Bega, Candelo, Kanoona, Wolumia 16.6%

The top 10 Queensland solar postcodes** at the end of 2011:

1. 4551 Caloundra, Pelican Waters, Golden Beach 27.3% of houses have solar power systems
2. 4280 Jimboomba, North Maclean, South Maclean 23.9%
3. 4208 Ormeau, Jacobs Well 23.2%
4. 4505 Burpengary, Burpengary East 22.2
5.  4507 Bribie Island 21.7%
6.  4165 Victoria Point, Mount Cotton, Redland Bay 21.0%
7. 4116 Calamvale, Drewvale, Stretton 21.0%
8.  4133 Chambers Flat, Waterford 20.2%
9.  4124 Greenbank, Boronia Heights, Spring Mountain 19.7%
10.  4520 Samford Valley, Mount Glorious, Mount Nebo 19.5%

The top 10 West Australian solar postcodes:

1. 6208 Pinjarra, Oakley, Blythewood, Ravenswood          24.7% of houses have solar power systems
2. 6069 Ellenbrook, Brigadoon, The Vines 23.8%
3. 6155 Canning Vale, Willetton 19.7%
4. 6065 Ashby, Madeley, Sinagra, Wangara, 19.2%
5. 6233 Australind, Binningup, Leschenault, Parkfield 18.7%
6. 6210 Dawesville, Falcon, Halls Head, Wannanup, 18.0%
7. 6164 Atwell, Banjup, Hammond Park, Yangebup 17.0%
8. 6280 Ambergate, Busselton, Jindong, Kaloorup 15.7%
9. 6109 Maddington, Orange Grove 15.7%
10. 6111 Canning Mills, Champion Lakes, Karragullen         15.7%

The top 10 South Australian solar postcodes:

1. 5211 Victor Harbor, McCracken, Hindmarsh Valley 25.9% of houses have solar power systems
2. 5214 Currency Creek, Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island 24.7%
3. 5173 Aldinga Beach, Port Willunga, Silver Sands 24.1%
4. 5158 Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park 23.6%
5. 5169 Seaford, Moana 20.7%
6. 5095 Mawson Lakes, Pooraka 20.5%
7. 5251 Mount Barker, Bugle Ranges 20.5%
8. 5098 Ingle Farm, Walkley Heights 19.6%
9. 5161 Reynella, Reynella East, Old Reynella 18.7%
10. 5118 Gawler, Evanston 18.7%

The top 10 Victoria solar postcodes:

1. 3564 Echuca  13.3% of houses have solar power systems
2. 3690 Wodonga 13.2%
3. 3551 Emu Creek, Axe Creek, Myrtle Creeknning Vale, Willetton 13.2%
4. 3818 Drouin, Jindivick 12.9%
5. 3023 Caroline Springs, Deer park, Burnside 11.6%
6. 3029 Dawesville, Falcon, Halls Head, Wan, 11.6%
7. 3024 Wyndham Vale, Mambourin, Mount Cottrell 11.3%
8. 3037 Calder Park, Sydenham 10.9%
9. 3076 Epping 10.2%
10. 3173 Keysborough         9.8%