Solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia
Australia: Solar energy generation vs. capacity was 58,381 terawatt-hours in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia, 1990–2025
Source: Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
The most recent figure for solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia is 58,381 terawatt-hours, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 36 years on record.
The figure is up 12.6% on the previous year and up 842.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia peaked at 58,381 terawatt-hours in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1990.
Australia ranks 8th of 79 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia, year by year
| Year | terawatt-hours | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0 terawatt-hours | — |
| 1991 | 5.45 terawatt-hours | — |
| 1992 | 12.1 terawatt-hours | +122.0% |
| 1993 | 14.6 terawatt-hours | +20.7% |
| 1994 | 17.4 terawatt-hours | +19.2% |
| 1995 | 21.15 terawatt-hours | +21.6% |
| 1996 | 25.6 terawatt-hours | +21.0% |
| 1997 | 30.65 terawatt-hours | +19.7% |
| 1998 | 35.6 terawatt-hours | +16.2% |
| 1999 | 40.6 terawatt-hours | +14.0% |
| 2000 | 46.75 terawatt-hours | +15.1% |
| 2001 | 54.15 terawatt-hours | +15.8% |
| 2002 | 58.3 terawatt-hours | +7.7% |
| 2003 | 63.2 terawatt-hours | +8.4% |
| 2004 | 72.95 terawatt-hours | +15.4% |
| 2005 | 84.05 terawatt-hours | +15.2% |
| 2006 | 97.5 terawatt-hours | +16.0% |
| 2007 | 113.75 terawatt-hours | +16.7% |
| 2008 | 139.2 terawatt-hours | +22.4% |
| 2009 | 290.24 terawatt-hours | +108.5% |
| 2010 | 977.65 terawatt-hours | +236.8% |
| 2011 | 2,045 terawatt-hours | +109.1% |
| 2012 | 2,412 terawatt-hours | +18.0% |
| 2013 | 3,847 terawatt-hours | +59.5% |
| 2014 | 4,952 terawatt-hours | +28.7% |
| 2015 | 6,196 terawatt-hours | +25.1% |
| 2016 | 7,440 terawatt-hours | +20.1% |
| 2017 | 8,918 terawatt-hours | +19.9% |
| 2018 | 12,332 terawatt-hours | +38.3% |
| 2019 | 18,297 terawatt-hours | +48.4% |
| 2020 | 23,844 terawatt-hours | +30.3% |
| 2021 | 31,194 terawatt-hours | +30.8% |
| 2022 | 37,544 terawatt-hours | +20.4% |
| 2023 | 45,922 terawatt-hours | +22.3% |
| 2024 | 51,849 terawatt-hours | +12.9% |
| 2025 | 58,381 terawatt-hours | +12.6% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 58,381 terawatt-hours is above the median for high income countries, which is 4,936 terawatt-hours, 11.8× the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Australia's 58,381 terawatt-hours is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 8,315 terawatt-hours, 7.0× the median. (12 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | +236.8% | 290.24 terawatt-hours | 977.65 terawatt-hours |
| 1992 | +122.0% | 5.45 terawatt-hours | 12.1 terawatt-hours |
| 2011 | +109.1% | 977.65 terawatt-hours | 2,045 terawatt-hours |
| 2009 | +108.5% | 139.2 terawatt-hours | 290.24 terawatt-hours |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 20.32 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 40.6 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 102.01 terawatt-hours | 46.75 terawatt-hours | 290.24 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 6,742 terawatt-hours | 977.65 terawatt-hours | 18,297 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 41,456 terawatt-hours | 23,844 terawatt-hours | 58,381 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near Australia
More energy & mining data for Australia
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -0.4235 % change on previous year (2025)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0.0001 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per capita 0.0001 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2025)
- Fuel imports 11.7% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia?
- Solar energy generation vs. capacity in Australia was 58,381 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 58,381 terawatt-hours in 2025.
- What is the lowest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1990.
- How does Australia rank for solar energy generation vs. capacity?
- Australia ranks 8th out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is solar energy generation vs. capacity rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 842.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute – Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Solar energy generation vs. capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 36 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Figures are based on gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.