The Queensland government is asking for expressions of interest from Logan solar energy retailers to deliver solar power systems to low-income families.
The solar project targets families living in public housing in the City of Logan, south of Brisbane.
Under the Logan solar scheme the electorates of Waterford, Coomera, Woodridge, Logan, Algester and Springwood are eligible for solar installations.
Tenants taking part in the Logan trial will buy the solar power they use at a discounted per kilowatt hour rate.
Expressions of interest open for Logan solar tender
The Palaszczuk Government is seeking Queensland businesses that provide solar products and have installer accreditation.
They must also have necessary insurance, registration and energy licenses in place, Crawford says. Companies like Energy Matters have full residential solar accreditation from the Clean Energy Council. This ensures solar energy installation in Brisbane adheres to the highest possible standards.
Solar power for low-income families now Australia-wide
According to Queensland Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham, the solar program has already been trialled successfully in Cairns and Rockhampton. It involves more than 800 solar installations.
Annual savings of up to $250 are expected on tenants’ electricity bills in Cairns and Rockhampton, Lynham claims. These savings should then be replicated in Logan.
In 2017 the Tasmanian opposition Labor Party suggested a similar plan to provide solar panels and energy storage batteries to low-income households.
The ACT Labor government is also offering the state’s low-income families up to 60 per cent reduction off the costs of solar energy installations. The scheme will run until 2020.
Queensland also boosting solar battery storage
The Palaszczuk Government is also urging businesses to sign up for the Interest Free Loans for Solar and Storage program. This will see 1,500 battery storage systems installed across Queensland later in 2018.
The battery phase follows the solar installation stage, which is already underway. This is helping around 3,500 households with packages up to $4,500 to help install a solar energy system.
Applicants for the Logan solar project can submit bids via the Queensland government website. Shortlisted candidates will proceed to the next stage in September.
