Home battery scheme goes live in SA, with local battery builders to get head start
LOCAL battery builders will be given a head start under a new State Government subsidy scheme that aims to add storage to up to 40,000 home solar systems and goes live today.
- Thousands of dollars in savings in battery scheme
- Batteries plan to start for summer, to protect against blackouts
LOCAL battery builders will be given a head start under a new $200 million State Government scheme that aims to halt blackouts and cut power bills by adding storage to up to 40,000 home solar systems.
Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan has confirmed the “home battery scheme”, which was a key plank in the Government’s pre-election power pitch, will go live today and says it could deliver big household savings.
Households will be able to access subsidies of up to $6000 to buy a battery, as well as cheap loans for solar systems if needed.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the Government had included a nine-week “priority period” for batteries that are manufactured or assembled in SA.
That means German energy giant Sonnen will be able to get a jump on its competition, after recently confirming plans to set up a new factory and employ 400 people on the old Holden site at Elizabeth.
Negotiations to lure Sonnen were started by the former Labor government, and Premier Steven Marshall confirmed its move last month.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said he expected other SA-based companies would also qualify as priority battery providers.
“Providing companies that establish manufacturing facilities in SA with priority to the grants drives local investment, innovation and job creation,” he said.
“We want to place SA at the centre of the development, manufacturing and use of home batteries.”
Households that get batteries are expected to be able to keep bills down by generating and then using their own energy around the clock.
It is hoped other homes will have fewer blackouts and lower bills as more energy stays in the shared grid for them to use.
The scheme is separate to a trial launched by the former Labor government, which installs Tesla batteries on Housing Trust homes.
If successful, as many as 50,000 homes could later be linked together as a “virtual power plant”.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the new battery scheme would offer more subsidy to people who already receive energy concessions, ensuring low-income households can also access storage. The subsidy will increase along with the size of the battery being installed, calculated on the kilowatt hour capacity.
The Government has established a dedicated Home Battery Scheme website, and phone hotline on 8463 3555.
Before the election, the Government promised cuts to bills of $302 over five years. In the next 12 months, SA’s major retailer has predicted a $10 cut.