In October 2022, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) published an article on their website called:  Turning point for incentives to invest in residential batteries. https://www.aemc.gov.au/turning-point-incentives-invest-residential-batteries In the piece they state that with the following trends in the energy markets are creating greater incentives for consumers to store and use their own energy using residential batteries: Falling price of feed-in-tariffs. Implementation of export charges during peak solar production times of the day. Increase cost of power during peak periods. Falling cost of batteries. Longer battery warranty times. For households that already have solar systems, the net benefit of owning a solar system increased  from $0.15 – $2.0 per kWh in 2020 ( this is the difference between the value of the feed-in-tariff and the cost of energy during peak periods), to $0.24 per kWh in 2021.  This trend of falling feed-in-tariffs and export charges is expected to continue, with a potential net benefit of $0.30 per kWh in 2024/25. Coupled with the now more common warranty period of 10 years by most battery manufacturers, this is now resulting in the average pay back period for many of the more reasonable priced battery storage systems to fall within the warranty period. Of course many factors come into play, such as the size of the solar [...]

1. Solar batteries don’t have to come with eye watering price tags People have been deterred from getting solar batteries for their solar systems for the last few years due to the large outlay cost associated with them despite their interest to install them. Tesla are probably the most recognisable brand of solar batteries in Australia, but when people enquire into the pricing to add some to their solar systems, they are taken back by the price tag (from around $14K – $17K) and decide not to pursue a solar battery solution. There are numerous more viable options on the market that provide much better value for money, which could reduce the overall cost by at least 30% to 40% compared to Tesla or other top tier marketing brands such as Sonnen and Fronius. In fact, Dyness batteries utilise the same LiFePO4 prismatic cells as the latest generation Sonnen systems, but cost considerably less (around 40% less). 2. It is not cost effective to get larger capacity battery storage than you actually need Solar batteries are generally used to store excess solar energy generated to from your solar system which would otherwise be exported to the grid. It would not make sense to install a larger battery than the excess solar power that your [...]

Solar Energy Warehouse is proud to announce that we are entering into a strategic partnership with Mr. Manoa S Tangi (Steve) from Solar Energy Tonga to provide affordable power solutions to the Tongan community via the Solar Power Systems initiative. Tonga has a population of approx. 106,000 and the Tongan Government has a plan to have all residential electricity users off-grid by 2030. Solar Energy Tonga was established to ensure the local population are not adversely affected by the government's plans regarding reticulated electricity. Also, Steve’s role is to build, install and ensure the project is sustainable and acceptability to the people and government of Tonga. Solar Energy Tonga has been in discussions with the Tongan Government, particularly with Tonga Power Limited (MEIDETC) and have also had positive discussions with the Tongan Development Bank regarding their support for the Solar Power Systems initiative. The Solar Power Systems initiative will also be targeting rural villages, where electricity is unreliable or non-existent and impacting villager’s health, education and sanitation. Solar Energy Tonga is focused on supporting the Tongan community and half of the proceeds of the business will be donated to the charitable trust, Fungataua Educational & Cultural Trust. Solar Energy Warehouse is proud to be involved with providing the Tongan residential community with the most affordable and cost effective solar power [...]

On the 17th November 2020, Victoria’s Minister for Solar Homes, Lily D’Ambrosio, announced that the Victorian Government will invest $797 million to support Victorians with their power bills and increase the energy efficiency of their homes, including 17,500 solar battery rebates state wide over the next 3 years. "The Victorian Budget 2020/21 will deliver the biggest household energy efficiency package in any state’s history, creating thousands of jobs, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions." This will include $335 million to upgrade 250 households with old and inefficient heating appliances such as old wood, electric or gas fired heaters with the latest energy efficient systems that are safer and cheaper to run, which will in turn drive down emissions, such as solar with batteries. Another $112 million will be invested to improve the thermal energy efficiency of social housing properties, which will make homes more comfortable and reduce power bills. $191 million will be spent to expand the existing Solar Homes program to a further 42,000 homes on top of the 100,000 homes who have already benefited by installing solar systems on their rooftops under the program.  This program will also be open to small businesses to apply, offering 15,000 solar rebates for businesses. The Solar Battery Rebate will expanded to cover all of Victoria [...]

Energy Australia says that the best way for the federal government to invest in the future of the power market and help economic recovery from COVID-10 is by subsidising battery installations. Head of consumer markets Mark Collette has made calls for a greater focus on accelerating the national transition to renewables to keep up with the recent rooftop solar panels boom by installing household and commercial batteries, to store excess energy created during the day. Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s continued heavy focus on gas as the solution to fill the gap during overcast and windless periods when conditions for renewables are unfavourable has reignited debate about the best path for Australia’s transition, and fuelled concerns from environmentalists and some business leaders who believe stimulus funding would be better spent on expanding clean energy rather than carbon-intensive fossil fuels. Former Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull said this week that renewable-led economic stimulus would be much more effective than concentrating on gas. Mr Collette said “Solar energy is now quite economic without government subsidy, it’s probably a train that moves without anu support.  I think the case for action around batteries and different support mechanisms that might help on storage could be stronger because it helps some of the emerging challenges across the grid”. Energy and Emissions [...]

There are currently over 2.3 million homes in Australia which have rooftop solar PV systems, and it is projected that there will be at least another million homes to have rooftop solar installed over the next four years. In contrast, there has been a small proportion of homes who have installed battery storage systems with their rooftop solar. Currently, one in eight new solar systems installed included batteries. Industry reports issued in 2017 and 2018 predicted that the uptake of battery systems in Australia would rise in the next few years. Industry forecasts of battery installation by 2020 ranged from 150,000 to 800,000. These predictions have proven to be optimistic, and the reality is probably closer to 70,000 by the end of 2020. It is difficult to obtain accurate battery installation figures because mandatory registration of power systems has only come into effect in early 2020. The main reasons for the lower than expected uptake of batteries are: Batteries have been perceived to be unviable Concerns about safety issues with some older Lithium battery chemistries (pre LiFePo4) Lack of flexibility in battery sizes (ie. Leading brands have limited fixed sizes). Installers have been hesitant to recommend batteries despite an increase in customers interest. With these issues in mind, Solar Energy Warehouse has sourced a [...]

There is an increased focus from home buyers on energy efficiency and sustainability features in their homes.  The main drivers for this increased focus could be social awareness, financial benefits, energy independence and more. There is a growing demand from new home buyers in Australia for the new home building industry to offer lower emission homes with lower ongoing energy costs.  This is driving the expectation that new homes built in Australia be designed with high energy efficiency ratings of a minimum of 7 stars.  This 7-star rating would provide the homeowners with at least 3 distinct benefits: They would qualify for a green home loan securing them a 0.4 % discount on their home loan rates from participating banks, for a period of 5 years. The resale value of their homes would attract a 10% premium compared to a comparable house that did not have the same high efficiency rating. Ongoing reduced energy consumption costs. Home builders could become market leaders by offering high efficiency homes that meet the market’s growing expectations.  Home builders could offer 7 star rated versions for their range of homes, or even make all their homes 7 star rated, to gain a competitive advantage in the domestic building industry. There are several ways to achieve a seven-star efficiency [...]