In the past few decades, solar technology has improved immensely. Solar panels are now cheaper and more environmentally friendly to make than ever before. Data collected by NREL shows a consistent and significant improvement in the ability of solar panels to turn sunlight into usable electricity. In response, home solar has gone mainstream. More and more people are choosing to install solar, for financial reasons as much as the environment. Over 1.7 million Australian households have installed solar panels. Rooftop solar is well and truly the new wave.