The NSW government has announced Clean Energy Initiatives to tackle high electricity costs and energy security. It will also look at smart energy for homes and businesses by creating virtual power plants.
The Department of Planning and Environment’s clean energy package consists of six programs. These six initiatives are designed to assist households and businesses to afford clean energy such as solar power to cut power bills.
Prospective participants are invited to register their interest at the Department’s web site.
Smart Energy for Homes and Businesses
The Smart Energy for Homes and Businesses program will recruit customers who use smart energy systems, like storage batteries or smart air-conditioners.
This program is designed to help manage peak demand through creation of a distributed virtual power plant.
Homes and businesses that use smart energy technology to save energy or to feed excess power back to the grid, may be eligible for incentives of up to $1,000. This clean energy initiative may mean that a solar battery may also be more affordable.
Smart technology examples include solar batteries and smart appliances. Platforms such as PowerPlay can also monitor home energy use.
Regional Community Energy
This program was developed because regional households and businesses tend to experience higher energy costs than their city counterparts. It will provide:
- Grants for innovative renewable energy projects.
- Funding for community hubs that provide expert advice and initiatives such as rooftop solar bulk-buys.
- Funding for emergency back-up systems in evacuation locations.
Solar for Low Income Households
Under this trial project up to 3,400 eligible households can swap their low-income household rebate for a 2.5kW solar installation. This would provide the potential for savings of up to $600 per year on energy bills.
The trial regions are: Central Coast, North Coast, South Coast, Sydney’s south, and Shoalhaven.
Other clean energy programs
There are also several other programs under the clean energy initiatives:
- Emerging energy. Funding for eligible large-scale technology-neutral energy generation and also storage programs.
- Hydro energy and storage.
- Smart batteries for government buildings. Energy storage batteries for government buildings such as schools and hospitals that already have rooftop solar panels. Participants could save up to $40,000 a year on energy costs.
Projects in other states also afoot
Other states and territories are also developing their own clean energy programs and initiatives.
Queensland
The Palaszczuk Government is providing solar no-interest loans to eligible households and businesses to install rooftop solar as well as battery storage.
Victoria
The Andrews Government has introduced the Solar Homes Rebate offer. Under this program the government pays $2,225 towards the cost of a solar installation for eligible homes.
South Australia
The Marshall Government’s Home Battery Scheme gives 40,000 households access to $100 million in subsidies. There is also an additional $100 million in loans.
