Households Increasing Solar System Sizes for EVs and Battery Storage

Rising Interest in Solar and Electric Vehicles as Households Adapt to Energy Costs

An increasing number of households are showing interest in installing solar energy systems or expanding their existing setups, driven by the growing popularity of home batteries and electric vehicles (EVs), particularly in the context of rising fuel and electricity prices.

The latest Queensland Household Energy Survey, conducted by Ergon Energy Network, Energex, and Powerlink Queensland, gathered insights from 4,301 participants to understand energy behaviours and attitudes across the state.

Shifting Attitudes Towards Renewable Technologies

Technologies that were once considered cutting-edge when the survey began in 2009 have now become commonplace. As families continue to face the pressures of the cost of living, these innovations are providing viable solutions for reducing household expenses.

The survey revealed an increase in EV ownership among households, rising from 10 per cent in 2025 to 15 per cent in 2026. Furthermore, two-thirds of participants without an EV who plan to buy a new car in the next three years are contemplating either an electric or hybrid vehicle. This marks a notable increase from the previous year, when only 58 per cent expressed similar intentions.

Regional Insights into EV Ownership

South-East Queensland boasts the highest rate of EV ownership in the state at 16 per cent, with the demographic of 35–54-year-olds leading the charge at 22 per cent ownership. Within this age group, a remarkable 71 per cent are considering purchasing an EV.

Meanwhile, the rate of households with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems has stabilised at 47 per cent, a slight increase from 46 per cent in 2025. However, the desire to upgrade existing systems or invest in new ones has jumped from 26 per cent to 34 per cent.

Growth in Battery Storage Ownership

Moreover, ownership of battery storage solutions among solar PV owners surged from 21 per cent in 2025 to 35 per cent in 2026, reflecting the rising interest in the Australian Government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program.

Despite a slight decline in the intention to purchase battery storage, this may be attributed to the high volume of battery systems purchased over the past year.

The complete findings of the survey are available at QHES.com.au.