By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s residential solar uptake is lagging behind the national average according to combined Australian Clean Energy Regulator and ABS data.
The data, prepared for the Independent by solar company Teho, revealed greater Geelong’s uptake of small-scale systems was 23.32 per cent compared to the Australian average of 29 per cent.
The 3218 postcode, including Geelong West and Fyansford, had the lowest uptake of 14.02 per cent.
Central Geelong and suburbs in the city’s north and inner east were also lagging behind with uptake in postcodes 3220, 3215, 3214 and 3219 ranging from 15.21 to 19.71 per cent.
Little River (3211) and the Armstrong Creek growth area (3217) were easily leading uptake on 48.42 and 40.64 per cent respectively.
“That data suggests more established suburbs and areas are much slower on the uptake of solar in the region,” Teho co-founder David Green said.
Mr Green compared the 3218 postcode to affluent Sydney suburb Clifton Gardens, which he said had a similar population and home-ownership rates but more than double the solar uptake at 33.52 per cent.
“Often, when we see areas with a low uptake of solar it is for two key reasons – accessibility and understanding,” he said.
Geelong solar uptake percentage by postcode:
3211: 48.42
3212: 32.80
3213: 30
3214: 18.76
3215: 18.08
3216: 22.32
3217: 40.64
3218: 14.02
3219: 19.71
3220: 15.21
3222: 33.52
3223: 21.68
3224: 28.26
3225: 28.53
3226: 28.73
3227: 29.44
