SA Home Battery Scheme reaches 5000 but Government warns subsidy won’t last forever
After a slow start, the subsidy scheme for home batteries has picked up pace. And you’d better get a wriggle on if you want to get all the cash on offer, the Government says.
SA News
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A surge in approvals for home batteries in the final months of the year has taken the total over 5000 — but also led the State Government to warn consumers the taxpayer-funded subsidy of up to $6000 will start winding down next year.
More than 1000 battery subsidies were approved in November, the highest number in a month since the scheme was launched in October 2018.
“More and more South Australians are realising the Marshall Government’s subsidies of up to $6000 and low interest loans for home batteries and rooftop solar can free them from the burden of electricity bills and provide blackout protection,” Energy and Mining Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan said.
“The Home Battery Scheme is the largest program of its type in the world.
“After an expected slow start, 40 per cent of the total number of approvals have occurred in just the last two and a half months as South Australians realise the subsidy of up to $6000 makes purchasing a home battery financially attractive.
“The scheme now has about 56MWh storage capacity approved taking the collective storage capacity of home batteries to over half of that of the state’s big battery at Jamestown.”
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said the maximum subsidy of $6000 was aimed at early adopters and the government would start phasing down the payment in 2020.
The phase-down schedule would be decided later.
The government initially set a target of 40,000 homes buying batteries under the scheme.
A total of 5332 households had subsidies paid or approved as at mid-December.
A further 1763 households had been quoted for a battery installation by a provider but were still deciding whether to make the investment.
The biggest uptake has been among residents in the northern suburbs postcode 5108 which includes Paralowie, Salisbury, Salisbury North and Salisbury Downs.
That was closely followed by the 5114 postcode which takes in Craigmore, Blakeview and areas to the east.
The leading spot for completed installations was Mt Gambier, followed by Port Pirie.
The most popular battery has been the Tesla, with sonnen, LG Chem and Alpha also recording strong sales.
To assist potential buyers, more information on indicative pricing has been added to the scheme’s website.
This shows the considerable range with the lowest median price for battery, installation and GST after the subsidy is paid being $2200 for a 4.4kWh system.
The highest median price is $24,189 for an 18.6kWh system.
The average size of approved batteries is 11.5kWh.
The Home Battery Scheme is a separate initiative to the virtual power plant trial of 1100 Housing SA properties where Tesla batteries are being installed.