Australia has jumped leaps and bounds in its renewable energy path, with over one million Australians living with solar power.

Australia is now on track to generate one-fifth of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, as reported at the United Nation climate change talks that have been taking place in South Africa.

Solar power will play a huge role in Australia’s renewable energy future thanks to large scale solar and residential solar being adopted by more and more Australians. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are using solar power to help fuel their homes and over 500,000 installations have been carried out. While there has been a surge in solar power over the last few years, it is expected to slow since various tariffs have been reduced.

“There will be a slowdown in the short term but the medium and long-term outlook is for very strong growth for household solar systems,” said Clean Energy Council director Kane Thornton.

Homes installed with solar power are set to weather the storm of future power spikes with more ease than non-solar neighbours. The expected hikes in power costs for Queensland, New South Wales and ACT are set to rise 42% over the next three years. South Australia will increase by 36%, Victoria 33%, Western Australia 30%, Tasmania 25% and the Northern Territory by just 16%.

The states with the highest expected price rises additionally have experienced the highest number of solar power installations. While many have already prepared their homes for the price rise there is still time for many, particularly Queenslanders, to make the switch now while receiving high tariff benefits.