An average household could cut its power bill by up to 80 per cent under Federal Labor’s proposed solar battery rebate.
That’s the verdict of the Smart Energy Council (SEC), based on Labor’s $2,000 rebate and the current offerings by solar battery retailers in Australia.
Labor would introduce the solar battery rebate scheme if elected on May 18. The scheme gives a $2,000 solar battery rebate on 100,000 battery installations in households with a gross annual income of less than $18,000.
Turn your home into solar power station and save
The rapid drop in prices and evolution of lithium-ion batteries and associated technology is changing the way people think about solar power.
The new generation of solar energy storage is cheaper to buy, more cost-effective, streamlined and better looking.
Plug and play, set-and-forget solar battery power for homes such as the Tesla Powerwall and the Enphase AC Battery are an increasingly common sight in solar households and smart homes.
Solar battery rebate schemes roaring success
Solar battery rebate schemes are also taking off around Australia. From 1 July Victoria’s successful Solar Homes program will offer half-price solar batteries for 10,000 households.
Eligible homeowners could save $4,850 on the installation of an 11 kWh battery unit. This equals savings of up to $650 a year in addition to those from rooftop solar panels.
The Queensland Government is expanding its successful solar battery rebate and loans scheme. Round one helped 1,500 applicants access grants up to $3,000 along with interest-free loans.
Meanwhile, the $100 million South Australia Home Battery Scheme offers solar battery subsidies up to $6,000 for eligible households.
Labor rolls out ambitious renewable energy program
Bill Shorten’s Labor opposition has set an ambitious renewable energy target (RET) of 50 per cent by 2030.
It also plans to bring back the defunct National Energy Guarantee (NEG) with an increased emission reduction target. Labor would aim for 45 reduction of 2005 CO2 levels by 2003. The Coalition is staying with its current commitment of 26-28 per cent.
Meanwhile, Shorten has pledged $75 million to create thousands of jobs in the clean energy industry if Labor wins the election. This would create 70,000 jobs in the growing renewable sector. Clean energy apprentice programs would also get $45 million of this amount.
