Solar- Australia’s Most Preferred Energy Source

Table of Contents

Solar is the most preferred source of energy among Australians according to the 2021 Climate Of A Nation poll.

The climate of the Nation, commissioned by the Australia Institute (TAI), is the longest continuous survey that provides an extensive view of changing Australian beliefs and attitudes on climate change including energy. This initiative was started in the year 2007 and in the year 2021, about 2,626 Australians (18 years and above) were surveyed.

What are Australia’s top energy sources?

Solar energy tops the table since the last 4 years:

2021 2020 2019 2018

Solar 79% 79% 76% 76%

Wind 63% 62% 58% 39%

Hydro 37% 39% 39% 38%

Power Storage 31% 29% 29% 35%

Tidal/Wave 20% 22% 21% 19%

Nuclear 20% 21% 22% 17%

Gas 19% 19% 20% 22%

Geothermal 16% 16% 17% 17%

Coal 15% 14% 18% 18%

Power storage(like batteries) does not really count as an energy source but can be associated with other sources.

Solar has been the top favorite for the last 4 years as 79% of people ranked it in the top 3 in 2021. 52% of respondents ranked solar as number 1. Solar is the most popular energy source across gender, age, state, and political affiliation.

Western Australia (85%) and Southern Australia (83%) have a strong preference for solar energy.

Considering the energy from fossil fuels, around 70% of people ranked coal in the bottom three whereas, only 6% ranked it as their most preferred energy source. 52% ranked gas in the bottom three while a small 5% ranked it as number one.

Concluding the data

Only 12% of the respondents consider gas for Australia’s economic recovery as compared to 63% who prefer renewable sources.
About 82% of Australians support a phase-out of coal-fired power stations.
10% of the respondents think that coal need not be replaced with renewable power sources.