Insights from the Experience with Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Australia and Indonesia

In the last five years, Australia has experienced a rapid deployment of household rooftop PV systems, to the extent that around 1.25 million households (15% of all households) now have rooftop PV systems. Experience from this “social experiment” may provide useful insights for other countries considering similar scenarios. Indonesia has deployed PV systems since the 1970's with a hiatus caused by the Asian Financial Crisis in 1997. Significant deployment of PV systems recommenced after the turn of the century for both off-grid and grid-connected applications, with the grid-connected PV systems being connected to isolated diesel power systems on the smaller islands of the Indonesian archipelago. This paper discusses the nature of the Australian and Indonesian experiences with PV systems from technical, social, economic and policy perspectives, with the intention of providing insights to other countries contemplating similar scenarios. A key recommendation is to adopt a carefully planned and implemented strategy that avoids triggering a divisive cultural contest.