THE Barwon electorate leads New South Wales in rooftop solar with more than 24,000 homes and businesses fitted with solar panels.

The latest data reveals households and businesses in regional New South Wales are leading the charge in rooftop solar adoption, accounting for nine of the top ten electorates for installations.

New South Wales leads the country in rooftop solar, with more than 1 million homes and businesses with rooftop solar – one third of all New South Wales homes.

The Barwon electorate in the state’s north-west is the leader with 24,537 homes and businesses with rooftop solar, followed closely by the Northern Rivers region with 22,743 in Ballina and 22,162 in Lismore.

While Riverstone in Sydney’s north-west ranks as the fifth highest electorate in New South Wales for solar uptake, it takes the number one spot for battery installations in the country with around 1500 households opting to capture their rooftop solar for use around the clock.

Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe said regional New South Wales is leading the charge.

“In the final quarter of last year, solar farms and rooftop solar provided 32 per cent of our state’s electricity,” she said.

“Families and businesses are saving on their bill with solar, and the highest concentration is in the regions and Western Sydney.”