Getting Greener

It may not have a huge amount of trees yet but Box Hill has been named as one of the nation’s greenest suburbs for 2023 according to the number of homes that have solar panels.

The figures have been released by Solar Run which lists Tarneit in Victoria at the top with 2,177 solar installations followed closely by Box Hill NSW with 2,152 installations. Also making its name in the Top Ten is Kellyville with 1,442 installations in 2023. They are the only two NSW suburbs in the Top Ten.

Solar Run, a renewable energy advocate and provider, analysed publicly available data from the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to calculate the total number of solar installations in every Australian suburb between January 2020 and December 2023, offering a detailed look into the early adoption of clean energy at a community level.

Both Box Hill and Kellyville have featured in the top ten across Australia for the past four years. In a snapshot of State-wide figures for NSW, Box Hill and Kellyville topped the list and were joined by Baulkham Hills in seventh spot for 2023.

“These findings are a testament to the growing momentum of renewable energy across Australia,” says Anthony Kurta, Managing Director and CEO of Solar Run.

“Communities are increasingly recognising the benefits of solar power, not just for the environment but also for economic resilience.

Our report highlights the leaders in this green revolution and emphasises the importance of continued support and investment in clean energy.”

Glen Ollerton, Director at MDP Architecture, also commented on the growing demand for energy-efficient homes: “The rising cost of living pressures are a concern for everyone in the community, including homeowners and the rental market.

“In particular, the rising energy costs bring into focus the immediate impact on people’s financial landscapes. Keeping our homes warm, cool and lit is a staple requirement of every house. Clients are now asking, How can we reduce our energy bills? That is often the question that opens the door about sustainability and what it means to them and the environment.”

According to the report Box Hill was the greenest suburb in Australia in 2022 with 1,957 installations with Kellyville 8th in Australia with 1,317. In 2021 Box Hill was ranked 6th and Kellyville 8th Nationally. The report went back to 2020 when Box Hill was fourth in Australia and Kellyville sixth.