Benefits from Australia’s global solar success story are set to flow to more consumers through the Albanese Government’s Solar Share Offer (SSO), an initiative strongly welcomed by the Smart Energy Council.
While one in three Australian households have solar rooftops, Smart Energy Council Chief Executive John Grimes said this means many are yet to plug in to the cheapest form of energy generation available.
“Solar Sharer means more homes accessing the lowest cost form of energy, and is proof that the millions of Australian solar homes have quietly revolutionised the nation’s energy grid.”
“Australia’s four million solar soaking homes are now generating so much cheap energy that they’re routinely outstripping demand, and are effectively being forced to shut their systems down.”
“Rather than dumping that power, the Solar Sharer Offer is redirecting that generation into a three hour, free power window during the day, it’s brilliant.”
“Networks are wasting tens of millions of dollars turning off free solar energy, Solar Sharer instead gives it to people for nothing.”
Mr Grimes pointed to multiple benefits stemming from the Solar Sharer Offer, including the reduced need for unreliable and expensive coal and gas, and increased grid resilience.
“Alongside helping people to slash their energy bills, Solar Sharer will ease pressure during both periods of peak and minimum demand.”
“Evenings are when Australians are typically forced to use expensive power from coal and gas, now they can time-shift their energy use to the daytime when power is free.”
“Together with the massive adoption of solar batteries, Australia’s energy grid is rapidly shifting away from antiquated, centralised systems, to distributed energy that hands more control and power to consumers.”
The Smart Energy Council congratulates Minister Chris Bowen for this initiative that democratises the supply of cheaper energy.
“There will be critics of this shift, particularly those with vested economic interests, but measures that increase energy resilience, security and independence are to be applauded,” Mr Grimes said.
Media contact: Tim Lamacraft – tim@smartenergy.org.au – 0448 972 192
