EnergyAustralia launches trial to boost solar energy installations

ELECTRICITY customers are being encouraged to install solar panels with easier ways to pay, thanks to a new “one-stop” package.

ELECTRICITY customers are being offered fixed monthly payment plans for solar panels and batteries to make it easier to afford going green.

EnergyAustralia has launch­ed a trial to encourage solar uptake through a “one-stop” package without steep upfront costs or interest charges.

EnergyAustralia NextGen executive Andrew Perry said the pilot program, which matches customers with a single agent to arrange purchase, installation and financing, aimed to make it simpler to benefit from rooftop solar.

SOLAR VERSUS NON-SOLAR POWER BILLS COMPARED

Australians installed a record number of solar panels last year. Picture: Joe Raedle/Getty

SOLAR STORAGE BATTERY SALES SPIKE

The company is approaching 10,000 customers in NSW to take part. It will ­assess feedback in coming months and consider expanding the deal to Victoria and other states.

The trial involves fixed monthly payments for a panel, inverter and battery package; an online payback tracker; and a sole customer service agent.

“Installing a home solar system puts customers in control of their energy consumption and can help them manage their electricity costs,” Mr Perry said.

“But it’s also a big investment for most people, so the ­process has to be simple and transparent.”

Monthly repayments start from $183 and vary depending on system size.

They take an average of five to seven years to pay off.

Australians last year install­ed a record 3.5 million solar panels, according to the Clean Energy Regulator.

That was up 41 per cent on the previous year.

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@KarenCollierHS