Network tariffs and grid barriers hinder commercial rooftop solar adoption in Australia

Australian households are generating nearly four times as much solar energy as retailers, manufacturers and other non-residential buildings, with most commercial rooftops panel-free.

Harvesting the vast, untapped generating and storage potential in cities and towns depends on devising incentives targeting this 'missing middle' and reforming the way commercial players interact with the grid, an energy think tank says.

Despite using more electricity than households, and most of it during the day, the commercial sector lags well behind homes on rooftop systems and batteries.