The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has compiled a list from data supplied by the Clean Energy Regulator of the top solar postcodes in the country. The 2011 figures show that Dubbo is the city with the highest percentage of homes with a solar PV system installed, with the 2010 winner Caloundra coming in second.

The survey found that by the end of 2011 around 9% of Australian households have installed a solar PV system. This equates to over half a million homes and is a dramatic increase from just two years ago when there were less than 64,000 systems installed.

Although the solar industry is growing as a whole, some states have seen more growth than others with Victoria the worst performer. Only 5.7% of Victorian homes have installed solar PV system on their homes. This continued growth can be attributed to government rebates, the falling price of systems and the sizable increase in electricity prices.

There has been a common perception that the take up of solar has been by those who could most afford it in areas such as the wealthier inner city suburbs of our capital cities. The survey indicates that this is not the case with those in regional centres, retirement belts, some lower income suburbs and coastal communities having installed solar PV systems.

While Dubbo came out on top in the 2011 survey the top four postcodes each came from different states. Caloundra in Queensland was second with 27.3%, Victor Harbor in South Australia was third with 25.9% and Pinjarra in Western Australia fourth with 24.7%.

In Victoria, Echuca has the highest percent of solar systems installed with 13.3%, which was 121st nationally. Figures for Tasmania, the ACT and Northern Territory were not provided as part of the report.

With electricity prices set to continue to rise and systems anticipated become even more affordable it will looks like the solar industry has a sustainable future.