Australia has become the first country to endorse a global plan to double the number of homes with rooftop solar by 2030.
The Global Rooftop Solar Declaration was endorsed by Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and president of negotiations for COP31, Chris Bowen.
The announcement was made at the 2026 Pacific Pre-COP meeting in Fiji, ahead of next month’s COP31 Summit.
The Declaration provides a blueprint for governments to make home solar and battery systems easier and cheaper to install, providing more secure and affordable electricity to their citizens.
That means cutting red tape for installations, helping families access affordable finance, upgrading power grids and training more local workers.
The Declaration underpins the 300 Million Solar Homes initiative. Around 150 million homes worldwide have rooftop solar today, and the initiative aims to double that by 2030. Its partners – including the Global Solar Council, Smart Energy Council Australia and Solar Citizens.
Rooftop solar, and battery storage, is one of the fastest-growing parts of the global energy system, expected to deliver 42% of solar growth and 34% of all renewable energy growth by 2030.
With energy prices volatile following a second global energy crisis in four years, the fastest and cheapest way for households to ensure a secure supply of electricity and take control of their bills is by installing panels and batteries.
Australia is a world leader in rooftop solar and home batteries, with solar on more than 40% of homes and rooftop systems supplying around an eighth of the country's electricity.
In the Pacific, five islands in Tonga run entirely on solar and battery storage.
As president of negotiations Australia's backing of the declaration ahead of November's summit in Türkiye is a clear signal to other countries that the global community can tackle skyrocketing energy prices through rooftop solar and home batteries.
Solar Citizens CEO, Lee Douglas, said rooftop and home solar is the sleeping giant in global climate diplomacy, despite powering millions of homes.
“This pivotal Declaration provides a pathway to rapidly change that,” Douglas said.