Millions of Australians could save up to $370 a year on energy bills and contribute to climate action if the federal government followed the UK in legalising plug-in solar panels, according to advocacy group Solar Citizens. The organisation estimates that Australians in capital cities could save between $226 and $372 annually with a plug-in system.
What is plug-in solar?
Plug-in solar refers to small standalone solar units that can be attached to balconies or used in backyards and plugged into power points, offsetting the energy used by household appliances. While these systems are sold in Australia, they are not yet legal to plug in and use.
Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive of Solar Citizens, said more than a third of Australians who rent or live in apartments are missing out on the "bill-busting benefits" that solar home owners enjoy. The campaign organisation urged Australian governments to make plug-in solar available after the technology was legalised in the UK this week, with units going on sale from Thursday.
Expert and consumer perspectives
Solar and battery engineer Glen Morris, director of the Smart Energy Lab, said an 800-watt system could produce enough power to run a fridge, television, and other appliances during the day. "A kit that costs about $1,000 pays for itself in three years and keeps working for twenty," he said. "For most renters it is the only form of solar they can own, and they take it with them when they move."
Research by Energy Consumers Australia found that only about 11% of Australian renters have solar installed, compared to about 44% of home owners. A similar gap exists for apartment dwellers, with 6% having solar, compared to 39% of people in detached or semi-detached houses.
Barriers and regulatory push
The consumer organisation attributed renters' lack of solar to the "split incentive" problem, where landlords face upfront installation costs while tenants reap the benefits. Apartment dwellers also face structural barriers due to complexities governing common property.
Douglas said, "It's unfair that more than three million Aussies who could benefit from portable plug-in solar panels are missing out because our regulations aren't up to date with the latest technology." She added, "We see the UK, Germany, Spain, and our neighbour New Zealand making plug-in solar available - so it's time for Australian politicians and regulators to work it out here. If it's good enough for the Kiwis and the Brits, it's good enough for us."
Broader solar market trends
Alongside the push for plug-in solar, the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) reported record quarterly investment in large-scale solar, with 1.8 gigawatts reaching final investment decision - the strongest result since the regulator began tracking investment activity. Acting chair Carl Binning said, "The speed of the transition is accelerating," attributing strong battery demand to the government's Cheaper Home Batteries program, which has received more than 500,000 battery applications since it started.
Binning noted, "We've now received more than 500,000 battery applications since the program started, which shows the scale of household demand when the economics stack up."
