{"id":95302,"date":"2025-10-20T05:18:34","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T19:48:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=95302"},"modified":"2025-10-20T05:18:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T19:48:34","slug":"rooftop-solar-use-lend-mb3294","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/rooftop-solar-use-lend-mb3294\/","title":{"rendered":"Boosting Home Solar Uptake: Use A Rooftop \u2014 Or Lend It"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"An<\/p>\n

University of Technology Sydney researchers say a \u201cuse it or lend it\u201d approach to Australian home rooftops would make solar accessible to more Australian households. But suggested ways to implement such a scheme will no doubt cause some pushback.<\/p>\n

How Would “Use It Or Lend It” Work?<\/h2>\n

Under the “use it or lend it” concept, owners of suitable detached and semi-detached homes *could* be obligated to either install solar power systems<\/a> or make their rooftops available to the government for publicly-owned systems. Home owners hosting these government-maintained and insured systems would receive compensation, such as annual lease payments.<\/p>\n

I can hear some screams already, but read on and bear in mind this is just an idea, not something already in the Federal or a state government pipeline.<\/p>\n

What would be cheap-as-chips electricity generated by the government-owned systems could be allocated to two solar-disadvantaged groups: low-income households and renters. The allocation would be possible through a V<\/a>irtual Energy Network<\/a> (VEN) platform.<\/p>\n

The \u201cuse it or lend it\u201d approach could also be useful in addressing rental property owners reluctant<\/a> or unable to invest in a solar power system state the study authors1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Participating property owners would be able to buy a government-owned system at any time, with system pricing based on a \u201ccost neutrality\u201d principle, i.e.; the government does not profit2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n

Carrot, And Maybe A (Big) Stick<\/h2>\n

Rights and obligations under a lend it or use it approach would be set out under legislation, as would the mandatory installation of solar panels on new and substantially renovated homes and new apartment buildings also suggested by the researchers.<\/p>\n

“The former has the theoretical advantage of allowing a qualified entity to initiate the change (\u2018lend it\u2019) at any time,” say the researchers. “The latter would force landowners to \u2018use it\u2019 (consistent with other legislated obligations on landowners), but the trigger (seeking development consent for substantial renovation or new dwellings) may be years, if not decades, away. Another trigger could be legislated deadlines.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Further (bolding mine):<\/p>\n

“Given the urgency of transitioning to renewable energy and the lost opportunity represented by suitable homes where owners have not adopted solar voluntarily, consideration should also be given to the institutional arrangements necessary for implementing a legislated scheme that grants the government default solar rights<\/b> on suitable properties.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Is Use It Or Lend It A Good Way To Go?<\/h2>\n

More than 4.2 million small-scale (<100 kW capacity) solar power systems have been installed across Australia to date. Looking at recent satellite imagery of Australian suburbs and towns shows plenty of houses with solar panels, but also a bunch with still ‘naked’ rooftops.<\/p>\n

While we’re already seeing issues in some areas where the amount of surplus solar energy exported into the grid is creating challenges in terms of electricity system management, technology advances such as flexible solar exports<\/a> is helping there. It’s also where the federal government home battery rebate<\/a> can do some good, freeing up network capacity to install more solar.<\/p>\n

The use it or lend it concept is part of a University of Technology Sydney study<\/a> looking at the factors influencing residential solar panel uptake in the Sydney metropolitan area from 2013 to 2024.<\/p>\n

The researchers found market factors including solar system costs<\/a> and electricity prices<\/a> had a significant effect on solar adoption and capacity, while feed-in tariffs<\/a> have a negligible impact \u2014 a good thing given feed-in tariffs are generally becoming increasingly stingy. The study also found housing affordability as a key barrier to solar adoption for property owners.<\/p>\n

So, what are your thoughts on “use it or lend it” for boosting residential rooftop solar uptake in Australia; particularly the prospect of granting the government default solar rights on suitable properties? And landlords, while you’re here learn why installing solar panels on investment properties<\/a> can make as much sense as putting a system on your own home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

University of Technology Sydney researchers say a \u201cuse it or lend it\u201d approach to Australian home rooftops would make solar accessible to more Australian households. 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Situated in Far North Queensland, the local government area covers 4,688 km\u00b2 and is home to around 30,000 people; approximately half of whom live in the towns of Innisfail,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Solar & Storage News"","block_context":{"text":"General Solar & Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Queensland's Cassowary Coast - solar power","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cassowary-coast-solar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cassowary-coast-solar.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cassowary-coast-solar.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cassowary-coast-solar.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cassowary-coast-solar.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":98820,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/apartment-solar-push-continues-as-victoria-extends\/","url_meta":{"origin":95302,"position":2},"title":"Apartment Solar Push Continues As Victoria Extends Rebates","author":"Kim Wainwright","date":"April 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Victoria has extended its \"Solar for Apartments\" program until 30 June 2027, giving more time for apartment residents and strata buildings to tap into rooftop solar and reduce power bills. Early uptake has been steady, and a new case study shows apartment solar is now moving from policy into real-world\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Solar Policy"","block_context":{"text":"Solar Policy","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-policy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Victoria Solar For Apartments","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vic-solar-for-apartments.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vic-solar-for-apartments.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vic-solar-for-apartments.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vic-solar-for-apartments.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/vic-solar-for-apartments.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":21157,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/solar-rental-low-income-mb0568\/","url_meta":{"origin":95302,"position":3},"title":"Call For Solar Panels On 1 Million Australian Rental Homes","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"May 2, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Solar Citizens is asking Australians to sign its Clean Energy For All petition, which calls on all political parties to assist millions of Australians currently unable to access the benefits of solar energy. The myth that solar power is for the rich has been well and truly (and repeatedly) busted;\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Solar & Storage News"","block_context":{"text":"General Solar & Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Solar energy petition","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/solar-energy-petition.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/solar-energy-petition.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/solar-energy-petition.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/solar-energy-petition.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":94651,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/vic-solar-apartment-rebates-mb3274\/","url_meta":{"origin":95302,"position":4},"title":"VIC Solar For Apartments Rebates: Round 3 Kicks Off","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"September 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Another 5,000 rebates are available for eligible apartment, unit and townhouse residents to install solar power systems under the third round of Victoria's $32 million Solar for Apartments program. How Much Are The Rebates? Rebates of up to $2,800 per household, or up to $140,000 per building, will be provided\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Solar Policy"","block_context":{"text":"Solar Policy","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-policy\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"An apartment using solar energy","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/solar-apartments-victoria.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/solar-apartments-victoria.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/solar-apartments-victoria.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/solar-apartments-victoria.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/solar-apartments-victoria.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":50185,"url":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/australia-solar-capacity-mb1989\/","url_meta":{"origin":95302,"position":5},"title":"Australian Average Solar System Capacity Continues Upwards","author":"Michael Bloch","date":"May 10, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As small-scale solar power installations proliferate in Australia, also growing is average system capacity. A report published last Thursday by the Australian Energy Council (AEC) noted the average capacity of small-scale systems (<100kW) reached a new peak of 8.86kW for installations in December last year. Small-scale includes systems not only\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General Solar & Storage News"","block_context":{"text":"General Solar & Storage News","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/category\/solar-battery-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Small-scale solar power system capacity in Australia - statistics","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/solar-capacity-australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/solar-capacity-australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/solar-capacity-australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/solar-capacity-australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/solar-capacity-australia.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95302","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=95302"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95302\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":95314,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/95302\/revisions\/95314"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/95303"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=95302"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=95302"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=95302"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}