South Australian solar loans of up to $10,000 with no interest will be available to households to install both solar panels and a battery under a re-elected Labor government.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill made the announcement this morning on Facebook.
It follows yesterday’s official pledge to lift the state-based renewable energy target from 50 per cent to 75 per cent by 2025.
Premier Jay Weatherill made the announcement while also promising to introduce Australia’s first energy storage target.
The news follows a spate of renewable energy milestones in South Australia, including the world’s biggest lithium ion battery. One of the world’s biggest solar thermal plants and the world’s biggest virtual power plant are also slated.
State policy a rejection of Federal Government stance
Speaking to the Guardian, the Premier said the new policies were a rejection of the Federal Government’s renewable energy policy.
“We’re not interested in putting our leadership in renewable energy in the hands of people that don’t believe in a renewable energy future,” Mr Weatherill said.
If re-elected, the government would also require 25 per cent of the state’s peak demand met by stored renewable energy. This would account for 750 MW of storage.
Clean Energy Council applauds South Australian solar loans plan
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) says the new measures will make the state a world leader in renewable energy.
CEC Chief Kane Thornton described the targets as “genuinely world-class ambitions”. He highlighted the energy storage, saying Australia needed battery storage to accommodate more wind and solar power into the electricity grid.
“South Australia has shown that it is possible to deliver electricity that is both reliable and clean,” Mr Thornton said. “And as more low-cost renewable energy enters the power system it will push power prices down for homes and businesses.”
Mr Weatherill described the upcoming March 17 South Australian state election as a referendum on renewable energy, posting on Facebook:
“More renewable energy = cheaper power for all South Australians.”
If the Weatherill Government is re-elected, homeowners could be shopping around for solar quotes as early as April.
