How the Residential Solar Market Declined & Where Retailers Should Focus Next

The Australian residential solar market experienced a noticeable slowdown in 2024, marking one of its weakest years in recent history. According to the 2025 Annual SunWiz PV Market Report, the downturn was largely due to falling solar system prices reducing overall revenue, a sharp decline in small-scale residential installations, and changing market dynamics.

Key Trends in the Residential Solar Slowdown

📉 Reduced Residential Installation Volume

Total residential solar installations declined as consumer demand shifted away from smaller systems due to lower incentives and payback concerns. The biggest residential segments suffered the greatest contraction. This was almost-but-not-quite balanced by growth in 10-15kW systems.

💰 Falling Equipment Prices Resulted in Lower Revenue

While module and inverter prices declined, so did the total revenue generated per installation, putting pressure on solar retailers reliant on volume sales.

🏡 Small-Scale Residential Segment Suffered the Most

The market segment below 10kW was hit hardest, as households hesitated to invest due to interest rate pressures and diminishing feed-in tariffs.

Where Should Retailers Focus Next?

🔹 Small-Scale Commercial Solar (15-30kW)

With residential demand declining, solar retailers should shift their focus to the growing small-commercial market, where businesses seek long-term cost savings and energy independence.

🔋 Battery Storage – The Next Growth Market

As self-consumption becomes more critical due to declining feed-in tariffs, battery storage solutions are gaining traction.
The SunWiz Battery Market Report, due next month, will provide detailed insights into battery adoption trends, pricing shifts, and emerging opportunities.

Final Thoughts

The decline in residential solar volumes presents both a challenge and an opportunity for the solar industry. While traditional small-scale residential sales have declined, small-commercial solar and battery storage represent the future growth drivers. Solar retailers who adapt their business models to these emerging trends will be best positioned for success in 2025 and beyond.

For a comprehensive analysis of market trends, opportunities, and competitive insights, purchase the 2025 Annual SunWiz PV Market Report today. Stay ahead of industry shifts, identify emerging growth areas, and make informed business decisions with Australia’s most trusted solar market intelligence.

Secure your copy now.

Interval Meter Data Tool Disclaimer

The Interval Meter Data Tool is designed to convert standard form meter data for the OpenSolar platform.

Users are responsible for meeting the requirements of the data that needs to be uploaded to the tool, which extends to but is not limited to

The completeness and accuracy of the data
Ensuring that there are no missing records
Uploading the data in one of the compatible intervals (15m, 30m or 1h).

Data uploaded to the Interval Meter Data Tool should not contain multiple datasets. In the case an excel file is uploaded, only the first sheet will be considered.

The accuracy of the output is dependent on the user’s dataset, therefore SunWiz does not guarantee the accuracy of the output.

The user must acknowledge that the output of the tool is beyond the control of SunWiz, and they must ensure that the data is accurate on their own behalf.

In the event that the program runs into an issue, the user will be issued with warnings or solutions to address or resolve the issue.

If the user requires additional support, they can avail it as a separate service from SunWiz

Warranties on performance

The Interval Meter Data tool from SunWiz attempts to convert most frequently occurring types of standard meter data file types in specific formats for the purpose of being used on the OpenSolar platform. Unless mentioned otherwise, SunWiz does not extend any guarantee of any kind, either expressed or implied, on the limited success of the Interval Meter Data Tool and the extent of it’s automation. Depending on the user’s upload, the program may require additional inputs, the training for which is not included in the purchase of this service and can be purchased separately.

Input requirements

The Interval Meter Data Tool accepts data in the 15-minute, 30-minute and 60-minute(hourly) intervals. In case the file is uploaded in an excel format (*.xls, *.xlsx, *.xlsm), only the first sheet of the file will be considered. Our tool is required to accept raw meter data, usually highlighted as ‘E’ data in its standard format; and therefore SunWiz does not guarantee that all data formats will be accepted.

For complete automation, the file must adhere to an acceptable standard format. In the case of an issue, the user will be provided with instructions by the tool on how it can be resolved. Warnings will be issued if the data is incompatible, incomplete with missing records and if multiple datasets are uploaded at once.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
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Residential Solar Slowdown & The Shift to New Opportunities