SA Power Networks seems to have taken a dim view of mains-connected solar households incorporating battery storage systems.
While countries such as Germany are actively encouraging the uptake of home energy storage, it appears South Australia is actively discouraging it.
In an industry news bulletin from earlier this month; SA Power Networks have declared that customers installing energy storage will lose their feed in tariff incentive.
According to the document:
“If a customer currently receives feed-in credits under the Solar Feed-in Scheme, they will no longer be eligible for receipt of credits once they install a battery storage system or a Fuel Cell system.”
While the goal of many who install battery systems would be to avoid exporting electricity as it provides greater financial benefits when consumed on-site; SA Power Networks’ stance may be seen just as another slap in the face for households with solar panels.
SA Power Networks’ attitude could backfire in the years ahead. Once energy storage technology becomes more affordable, households may opt for larger battery systems than they otherwise may have chosen – and ditch their connection to the mains grid altogether.
Affordability could come sooner than later if options such as those for solar power systems ; e.g. payment plans or leasing, become available.
In the not too distant future, solar companies may increasingly become a one-stop shop for all a household’s power needs – cutting out Big Energy entirely.
SA Power Networks is the operator of the South Australian electricity distribution network; so it is the only game in town. As it operates under a licence granted by the Government of South Australia; the government might also find itself under pressure to explain how SA Power Networks have been allowed to implement such a rule.
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