Six solar battery installers – five of them local companies – have joined the ACT government's Next Generation Energy Storage (Next Gen) program, one of the world's largest rollouts of solar batteries.
The new program providers are ECG Electrical, Solahart Canberra, Solar4life, Solargain, SolarHub and SunStak. There were only two installers in the preliminary round.
"As more installers join the program, households and businesses will have more choice in battery storage and will encourage more competition, which in turn will lower prices," said Shane Rattenbury, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction.
The ACT government intends to make Canberra a global center for innovation and investment in renewable energy, a launch pad for national and international companies looking to invest in the global battery storage market, which is expected to be worth more than $ 400 billion by 2030 becomes.
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The $ 25 million Next Gen program offers discounts for installing solar batteries in homes and offices. Since its establishment in 2016, more than 1,600 batteries have been installed, offering discounts for 7.3 megawatts of storage capacity. The government offers discounts of up to $ 825 for every kilowatt of sustained peak power, resulting in an average discount of $ 4,000.
Mr Rattenbury said the program would help households save money, cut energy bills and protect the environment, while supporting the ACT solar industry and easing the burden on the electricity grid.
He said companies could build a low cost energy system in their warehouses by combining batteries with lots of solar panels. Households could put a solar array on their rooftops, charge it during the day while they are at work, and pull power from their battery when they get home at night – "essentially drawing your own free energy from your home battery".
Callum Beaton, owner and general manager of ECG Electrical, said his company has long wanted to participate in the program. He had seen great acceptance in solar batteries; Since COVID-19, people have wanted to become more self-sufficient and make their contribution to the environment.
Interest in solar batteries has grown since the ACT government announced its sustainable budget program that allows middle-income Canberrans to borrow up to $ 15,000 for the installation of batteries, solar panels, zero-emission vehicles and energy-efficient appliances.
Mr. Rattenbury expected battery prices to decline (currently $ 6,000-10,000 for a 6.6 kW system). Gradually changing battery prices will make them more affordable.
More solar installers can apply to be program providers next month.
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