Huon Talks Commercial Solar Boom In AFR

As commercial solar adoption accelerated across Australia, Smart Commercial Solar's Managing Director, Huon Hoogesteger, spoke with the Australian Financial Review about the rapid growth occurring within the sector and the factors driving increased investment in solar energy among commercial property owners.

The feature highlighted a significant shift in the Australian energy market, with solar installations on commercial buildings gaining momentum as more landlords and business owners recognised the strong financial case for generating electricity onsite. What was once considered an emerging technology had increasingly become a mainstream business investment, helping organisations reduce operating costs and improve long-term energy certainty.

According to the article, the rollout rate of solar panels across Australian rooftops had almost doubled over the previous year. This growth represented a notable change from the relatively steady installation rates experienced during the preceding five years. The increase reflected growing confidence in solar technology, improving project economics, and a greater awareness of the benefits commercial solar could deliver.

The analysis presented by Smart Commercial Solar at the All-Energy Australia conference demonstrated the scale of the opportunity ahead. At the time, Australia had approximately 6GW of installed solar capacity, representing around 3 to 4 per cent of the national energy market. While this was already a substantial achievement, industry forecasts suggested the market was only at the beginning of a much larger transformation.

Huon noted that, under the prevailing trajectory, Australia could add a further 16GW of solar capacity over the following three years. Such growth would represent a major expansion of renewable energy generation and reinforce solar's role as a critical component of Australia's future energy mix.

One of the key drivers behind this growth was the increasing appeal of commercial solar to property owners and landlords. Commercial buildings often have large, underutilised roof spaces and significant daytime electricity consumption, making them ideal candidates for solar installations. By generating renewable energy onsite, landlords can reduce common area energy costs, improve building performance, and enhance the attractiveness of their properties to tenants.

The article also reflected a broader trend of businesses taking a more strategic approach to energy management. Rising electricity prices, growing sustainability expectations, and advancements in solar technology were encouraging organisations to view solar not simply as an environmental initiative, but as a practical financial decision capable of delivering measurable returns.

The Australian Financial Review feature highlighted the momentum building across the commercial solar sector and reinforced the growing role that renewable energy was playing in helping Australian businesses and property owners navigate an evolving energy landscape.

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