The Federal Government has welcomed news that over 1 million rooftop solar panels supported by the Renewable Energy Target (RET) have been installed since 2007.

Minister for Industry and Innovation, Greg Combet, said that the news was proof that the scheme was driving clean energy adaptation.

“When Labor came to power in 2007 solar was a niche industry. Only 7,472 small-scale solar systems had been supported by the Howard Government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target and there were only 339 accredited installers across the country,” Mr Combet said.

“The solar credits multiplier, combined with declining system costs, State and Territory feed-in tariffs and a high Australian dollar, has created an economically-sustainable solar industry.

“We have now surpassed 1 million small-scale solar photovoltaic systems, meaning around 2.5 million Australians live under rooftops with solar power.”