With millions already welcoming solar energy into their homes, the government is helping everyone along with incredible incentives, such as the Home Battery Scheme. So there has never been a better time to make the switch to solar power, especially in South Australia.
Investment in solar is happening on a global, national and residential scale, reducing demand on an already crumbling network.
Renewable energy in South Australia
The South Australian Government is serious about renewable energy.
The state has already smashed its renewable energy target of 26%, with 2020 seeing a massive 60% of its energy needs coming from renewables.
This is especially impressive when you consider as recently as 2006, 100% of South Australia’s energy came from fossil fuels.
By 2050, the SA government wants to generate 500% of the state’s energy needs from renewable sources, and the Home Battery Scheme is the next step in the plan.
What is the Home Battery Scheme?
The South Australian Home Battery Scheme gives everyone connected to the grid access to state government subsidies and low-interest loans.
Provided by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, these loans are to help pay for a home solar battery system and new solar panels if needed.
Thanks to the Home Battery Scheme and other government-supported programs, there are now over 26,000 batteries installed or approved for installation at homes across South Australia.
In fact, the state leads the nation in home battery uptake, responsible for nearly a third of all installations in 2020.
Wait, back up… what exactly is a home battery?
Ok, if you’re completely new to solar energy you might be a bit lost.
A solar battery is simply a giant battery that allows you to store the electricity you generated through your solar panels.
Usually, as your solar panels harness the sun’s energy and transform it into usable electricity, you either “use it or lose it”.
With a solar battery, you can keep what your PV system has generated, using it later when you need it the most.
Solar batteries are an addition to your home solar system and save you even more money than just having solar panels.
The more people who join the Home Battery Scheme, the more we all save
As we mentioned recently, Virtual Power Plants now seem to be the future of solar power.
A Virtual Power Plant is exactly what it sounds like – an online power plant.
Tesla has already built one in South Australia, to initial success, stepping in to prop up the grid when a coal plant failed.
So how does it work?
A virtual power plant uses thousands of home solar systems around the area, combining them all to work as a single entity.
Using sophisticated software to charge or dispatch batteries across the system, the VPP can send electricity where it’s needed, taking it from where there is a surplus.
The result is a balance in the system, reducing everyone’s energy bills and rewarding households in return for joining a VPP.
The more people who sign up for the government’s home battery system, the more we all benefit in the long term.
Is it worth getting a solar battery?
Yes, 100%.
If you already have solar panels, you will have undoubtedly seen a reduction in your energy bills.
By adding a solar battery to your system, you could see a further decrease of 75%, saving you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Add to that the government incentives and subsidies through the Home Battery Scheme, and there has never been a better time to invest in solar power for your home or business.
If you would like to be in charge of your own energy generation and storage, then contact us today.
Our highly skilled engineers are fully accredited and licensed by the Clean Energy Council (CEC), so you can depend on us to know what we’re talking about.
We have also recently partnered up with Discover Energy VPP to bring you even more savings!
Solar power is no longer the future, it’s here, today, and the South Australian Home Battery Scheme is proof of that.
If you have any questions about buying a solar battery or would like some advice about what type you would need for your system, then please don’t hesitate to give us a call for a chat.
Our friendly technicians will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Bright Earth Solar offers a range of exceptional solar products, helping you save money while doing your bit to save the planet. We keep you up to date with new technology, innovation and trends in renewable energy.