A family invested in a solar battery to reduce their energy bills and contribute to environmental conservation. This decision was influenced by the high costs of drawing energy from the grid during peak hours. By taking advantage of an early rebate, they could start saving immediately. This article explores their journey, costs, and implications for Australian households.
Family’s Investment in Solar Battery
Reducing Peak Hour Costs
- The mum-of-two mentioned that most of their bill was from drawing from the grid during peak hours.
- They invested in a battery to reduce this and received an early rebate.
- She encouraged others to take advantage of the rebate without waiting.
Immediate Savings
- The family is already saving on their bills by using stored energy from their battery.
- They didn’t have to wait until November to benefit from the rebate.
Cost and Installation
Battery and Solar Panel Costs
| Item | Initial Cost | Rebate | Final Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10kWh Battery | $7,500 | $1,600 | $5,900 |
| 10kWh Rooftop Solar | $7,000 | Included | $7,000 |
Energy Bill Savings
- Rosenbaum highlighted that the energy bill savings were welcome amidst rising costs.
- She mentioned that bills, especially the power bill, were their number one expense.
Environmental Impact
Electric Vehicle and Solar Panels
- The family, who owns an electric vehicle, was keen to move to solar panels to contribute to environmental conservation.
National Energy Expenses
Stressful Energy Bills
- In June, a quarter of Australians discovered that their energy bill was one of the most anxiety-inducing costs.
- On average, Australians spent $384 on electricity and $215 on gas in the June quarter.
Rebate Backlog Warning
Rooftop Solar and Battery Adoption
- More than 3.2 million homes in Australia have solar panels installed on their rooftops, and New South Wales (NSW) accounts for 885,000 of these installations.
- However, only 2% of households across Australia have a battery.
VoltX Energy’s Early Rebate Offer
- VoltX Energy anticipates a backlog of installations when the NSW government’s battery incentive starts in November.
- They are offering the rebate now to help people avoid delays and start saving immediately.
Sun Tax and Tariffs
New Charges for Solar Panel Owners
- The “sun tax” will charge solar panel owners who send extra electricity back to the grid during peak times.
- From July, Ausgrid started charging an opt-in 1.2c/kWh tariff for rooftop solar exported to its network from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. above a free threshold.
- Customers pay 2.3c/kWh for electricity exported during peak demand periods (4pm to 9pm).
Maximizing Savings with Batteries
- Installing a battery can help maximize savings by reducing reliance on the grid, especially during peak times.
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