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Solar Electricity Generation in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Jack Fahey Jack Fahey Melbourne, Australia Last Updated: October 2024 ANZSIC D2619b

Revenue

$1.8bn

2024-25

$1.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$XXX.Xm

Employees

5,674

Businesses

113

Wages

$XXX.Xm

Solar Electricity Generation in Australia industry analysis

As Australia looks to a cleaner future, solar power offers a bright alternative to emissions-intensive fossil fuels. Advances in solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies have made solar commercially viable, with China manufacturing most of the world's solar panels. In contrast to small-scale solar – which is covering more Australian homes than ever before – the utility-scale market remains relatively untapped. Buoyed by public sector support, private capital is now flooding into new solar projects and propelling capacity growth. Larger farms are being constructed to generate economies of scale and service industrial firms. Amid vocal consumer and shareholder support for clean energy, businesses are adopting net zero targets and locking in Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with solar generators.

Trends and Insights

  • Large-scale solar capacity is growing. Solid investment is championing solar generation as a viable alternative to other forms of renewable generation. Private and public sector support is encouraging new projects.
  • Retailers are meeting the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP). Retailers have to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable generators, with Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) providing a secondary income source for solar generators.
  • Generators need strong sunlight. Large solar farms are located where the sun is bright to ensure steady output to consumers and businesses. Battery storage is making solar power more reliable.
  • Firms are racing to expand capacity. Large-scale solar will need to expand significantly to meet the needs of consumers and businesses. As new entrants enter the industry, market share is fragmenting and concentration is declining.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 24.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Large-scale solar capacity has been expanding in a bright investment environment

  • Over the past decade, solar panels have become commercially viable renewable electricity sources. China has established the world's solar panel manufacturing hub, while photovoltaic (PV) technologies have matured. Improvements in storage capacity have also improved the commerciality of solar power investments, empowering solar generators to store power and sell on to the wholesale market during more advantageous periods.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Solar Electricity Generation in Australia
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The energy transition underpins the growth prospects for large-scale solar power

  • As Australia turns away from fossil fuels, large-scale solar is set for more capacity investment over the next decade. New entrants and existing operators will expand generation volumes, primarily through commissioning new large-scale solar generation assets. Introducing new technology to existing sites will also aid in capacity growth.

Biggest companies in the Solar Electricity Generation in Australia

Company
Market Share (%)
2025
Revenue ($m)
2025
FRV Australia
147.6
Neoen Australia
124.1
Wirsol Energy
66.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Solar Electricity Generation in Australia
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Electricity generation and Renewable energy certificates. Electricity generation is the largest segment of the Solar Electricity Generation in Australia.

Trends and Insights

More electricity is being generated from large solar farms

  • Electricity is generated from solar panels, which is sold in wholesale markets or directly to industrial firms.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Industry firms supply electricity to the wholesale market using large-scale photovoltaic generation systems, or solar thermal systems. Photovoltaic systems with a generation capacity of less than five megawatts are excluded from the industry.

What's included in this industry?

Solar electricity generationConcentrated solar thermal electricity generationSolar electricity storing and dispatching

Companies

FRV AustraliaNeoen AustraliaWirsol Energy

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

MEGAWATT (MW)MEGAWATT HOUR (MWH)GIGAWATT (GW)GIGAWATT HOUR (GWH)RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET (RET)LARGE-SCALE GENERATION CERTIFICATE (LGC)

Industry Code

ANZSIC 2006

ANZSIC 2619 - Solar Electricity Generation in Australia

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Large-scale solar capacity is growing. Solid investment is championing solar generation as a viable alternative to other forms of renewable generation. Private and public sec...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Retailers are meeting the Renewable Power Percentage (RPP). Retailers have to source a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable generators, with Large-scale Gen...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Generators need strong sunlight. Large solar farms are located where the sun is bright to ensure steady output to consumers and businesses. Battery storage is making solar po...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Firms are racing to expand capacity. Large-scale solar will need to expand significantly to meet the needs of consumers and businesses. As new entrants enter the industry, ma...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Capacity expansions are continuing to build momentum. Generators are investing in new, large-scale solar projects to meet strong consumer and business demand for clean energy...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of FRV Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Neoen Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Wirsol Energy's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for FRV Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Neoen Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Wirsol Energy, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Electricity generators face heavy regulation. As part of the electricity supply chain, generators walk a regulatory tightrope to comply with legislation. The Australian Energ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Inflated wholesale electricity prices have boosted the industry’s profitability over the past five years. High wholesale prices have meant a big payday for solar generators, ...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia in 2024?

The market size of the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia is $1.8bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Solar Electricity Generation in Australia industry in 2024?

There are 113 businesses in the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 20.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 24.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Solar Electricity Generation market in Australia?

The biggest companies operating in the Solar Electricity Generation market in Australia are FRV Australia, Neoen Australia and Wirsol Energy

What does the Solar Electricity Generation in Australia include?

Solar electricity generation and Concentrated solar thermal electricity generation are part of the Solar Electricity Generation industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Solar Electricity Generation in Australia?

The company holding the most market share in Australia is FRV Australia.

How competitive is the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Solar Electricity Generation industry in Australia.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Hydro-Electricity Generation in Australia
  • Fossil Fuel Electricity Generation in Australia
  • Wind and Other Electricity Generation in Australia

International industries

  • Solar Power in the US
  • Geothermal, Wind and Other Electricity Generation in New Zealand
  • Renewable Electricity Generation in the UK
  • Solar Power Generation in China

View all industries in Australia

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Australia include:

  • Australian Bureau of Statistics
  • Australian Taxation Office
  • Australian Securities & Investments Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.