The Queensland government is creating a solar battery database as part of its register of home solar installations.
State electricity companies are offering a one-off $50 payment to encourage home solar battery owners to register their batteries on the database.
The news comes as the AEMC is developing its own proposal for a national database of home storage systems.
But Queensland’s Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham says his state will not wait for the national database to catch up.
Purpose of the Queensland solar battery database
According to Dr Lynham, the register is necessary to improve safety during power emergencies. For example, during a fire, emergency services need to know if a property they attend has a battery installed. This is because the battery could still be live even if the mains power is shut off.
Through the state register, solar battery owners may also be given the opportunity to feed their stored energy to the grid. When done during peak-use times, this should help reduce the risk of blackouts.
This should also help to reduce wholesale energy prices and minimise price spikes, says Dr Lynham.
While over 500 batteries are on file with energy companies, the government believes there are more out there. The $50 incentive offer to register should bring these to light.
Queenslanders with solar power battery storage who would like to do their bit for the state, and earn some cash, should register their equipment as soon as possible. Meanwhile, those households and businesses without battery storage that would like to join the program, should seek an installation quote for solar home batteries.
Queensland offers interest-free loans for solar
When it comes to solar panel installations, Queensland is leading the country. The state government also offers no-interest loans for solar panels and solar energy storage installations.
This means households and businesses may be able to install solar and batteries even if they lack upfront capital.
In addition, the government’s Affordable Energy Plan aims to improve access to solar panels and home solar batteries for residents in regional Queensland.
The Plan includes trialling shared solar schemes between landlords and tenants. This will give more Queensland renters access to solar energy and lower power bills.
