2017 was a record year for Australian solar but more is expected in 2018

Solar PV capacity installed in Australia (MW DC ) Source RenewEconomy
Green-Residential, Yellow-Commercial, Pale blue-Small power stations, Dark blue-Utility scale solar

“While 2017 was a record year for the solar PV industry in Australia, it will be completely put in the shade by what we’re likely to install in 2018. Our data shows a total 1340 MW of solar PV was installed and operational by the end of December 2017. This is a big number by the standards of Australia’s overall electricity market, not just the solar sector. Yet in 2018 the industry is on track to commission 2.6 times this level of solar PV with more than 3500 MW expected to be installed, once you consider the significant number of large-scale solar projects that were under construction at the end of 2017.” (RenewEconomy, 2018a)

“To put this activity into perspective, the construction activity for large-scale solar will directly support the employment of 4423 people on a job year basis. In addition, there were more than 4,500 people directly employed in the sale and installation of roof-top solar over 2017 (see Green Energy Markets’ Renewable Index for further detail). These people have commissioned nearly 5 million solar panels in 2017 and will commission more than 13 million solar panels in 2018.” (RenewEconomy, 2018a)

Further reading, databases and live energy graph:

Australia added 1.3GW of solar in 2017, and could treble it in 2018. RenewEconomy, January 25, 2018a.

Australian Solar Database - 161 projects, and 19GW of capacity. RenewEconomy, January 23, 2018b.

Large Scale Lookout - Australian Solar Database, RenewEconomy.

RET [Renewable Energy Target] is met, and Frydenberg concedes more wind and solar will lower prices, improve reliability. RenewEconomy, January 23, 2018c.

Australian Energy Live - Supply and Demand with all sources of energy recorded instantaneously.

Postscript: Renewable investment 2018 starts with a claret run. RenewEconomy, February 2, 2018.