Solar power outshines old records despite gloom of pandemic Save Normal text size Advertisement Solar power continues to shine despite the coronavirus downturn, with every state and territory except Tasmania breaking records for installed capacity of large-scale and rooftop solar last year. Australiaâs solar power capacity grew 33 per cent to 20 gigawatts, from 15 gigawatts in 2019, according to solar consultant SunWiz. Booming rooftop solar installations continued in 2020 despite the disruption from the coronavirus pandemic. Credit:Glenn Hunt Of the 5 gigawatts of new solar capacity added last year, 3 gigawatts was rooftop and 2 gigawatts was large-scale, such as solar farms. âThe number of Australians installing rooftop solar systems increased by 40 per cent compared to 2019 levels,â SunWiz managing director Warwick Johnston said.