HOME batteries are set to change the energy landscape with household subsidies to solar and storage systems to deliver benefits to household power bills and take strain off the energy grid.
The Smart Energy Council has predicted $1.3 billion would be saved on wholesale power prices each year if one million batteries were installed in Australia, delivering benefit to all consumers.
The Cheaper Home Batteries Program will allow Australian households without solar to save up to $2300 a year if they get solar and a solar battery, while those with solar can save up to an extra $1100 by adding a solar battery.
There are currently 77 solar batteries on the Australian market, starting at around $4000 for a 5kWh battery.
Helen Haines, re-elected Independent federal MP for Indi, said her home batteries policy, which was adopted by the Labor government during the election, will transform how households benefit from their rooftop solar and substantially reduce their annual energy bills.
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“The scheme starts on 1 July but batteries can be purchased and installed now and be eligible for the subsidy in the new financial year,” Dr Haines said.
“I spent two years prosecuting this policy to the government, knowing the potential for households to substantially reduce their energy bills if we could increase their access to home batteries.
“I was thrilled when Labor committed to my policy so that home battery subsidies will be available to people across Indi and the nation to benefit from energy generated by their home solar to store and use during peak periods.
"Home batteries will deliver immediate bill relief for households and community groups, and over time we will see this benefit extend to all consumers by reducing overall pressure on the grid.
“Batteries allow households with solar to store energy generated by the sun, then use it at times when the sun isn’t shining, like at night time. It can also help even out the amount of energy in the grid when household solar is producing more energy than the grid needs.”
Dr Haines said in addition to her home battery policy, she would extend her focus to micro-grids and community energy to help towns that experience repeat power outages in extreme weather and at edge-of-grid.
“Regional, edge-of-grid towns deserve reliable and secure power supply and there are communities in Indi and across Australia that suffer from repeat outages," she said.
“These communities have been firmly on my mind in developing policy for microgrids to help shore up their energy security.
“Microgrids are a tangible, practical way to respond to regional community needs to keep the lights on and I will be pursuing this solution in this next term of parliament."
