Solar power system owners in Sweden can now receive up to ~AUD $7,300 to go towards the purchase of battery storage.
Renewable Energy World reports the initiative is part of Sweden’s commitment to achieve electricity generation free of fossil fuels by 2040 and adds to existing financial support available in the country for the acquisition of solar panels.
According to Swedish solar installer Svensk Solenergi, the program covers up to 60 percent of the cost of the storage system, with a ceiling of SEK 50, 000.
The Swedish government’s budget for the program for 2016 is SEK 25 million, while the budget for 2017 to 2019 is 50 million per year.
Sweden’s battery subsidy makes it one of the world’s leaders in terms of national residential programs.
The country’s uptake of solar has been slow compared to other countries, but has begun to grow with the aid of government funding. In 2015, total installed capacity in the country was 79.4 MW – double that of the previous year. No doubt the added lure of financial support for storage will further boost interest in solar PV.
Sweden is no slouch on renewable energy, with renewables already accounting for 52% of Swedish energy production. Of this, almost 95% is hydropower.
Unlike solar feed in tariffs and other incentives designed to boost uptake of PV systems, subsidies for residential energy storage are still not commonplace around the world. As with FiT’s, Germany has led the way in battery subsidies; with a scheme that kicked off in May 2013.
Battery subsidies and rebates in Australia are still pretty thin on the ground, with Adelaide City Council being the leader in this regard. The Council is currently offering businesses and residents within its boundaries up to $5,000 for installing battery storage; as well as up to $5,000 to install solar panels. This is in addition to other support, such as the Solar Credits subsidy.
With the cost of energy storage falling rapidly, battery systems are becoming more accessible to an increasing number of Australians. Many households have already made the decision to get the most from their valuable rooftop-generated electricity.
Top Right Image Credit: BigStock
