Aus renters set for major power savings

Renters and apartment dwellers could soon save hundreds on their power bills, with Western Australia set to become the first Aussie state to move towards legalising plug-in solar panels and batteries.

In a national first, the WA government has begun consultation on a safety standard for so-called “balcony solar”, a popular overseas technology that allows households to plug solar panels and batteries into a standard power point.

The move could be a game changer for renters, with a typical plug-in solar set-up offering savings of about $240 a year from a household electricity bill, while homes with a battery could save up to $500 annually.

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Unlike traditional solar systems, plug-in solar does not need to be hardwired by an electrician. Instead, electricity generated by the panels is fed into the home through an inverter and standard plug, helping reduce the amount of power drawn from the grid.

In a major win for renters and unit owners, Western Australia is leading the nation towards legalising “balcony solar” — opening the door to cheaper power bills for households without access to a roof.

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Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the technology would help open up cheaper energy to households previously locked out of solar.

It comes as electricity prices have emerged as a major contributor to inflation, rising 22.4 per cent in the year to June after government rebates rolled off.

“For too long, the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof. That isn’t fair,” Ms Sanderson said.

“Millions of European households already use these systems every day, and WA families should be able to do the same.

“Western Australians are already taking up solar and batteries in record numbers, and this will ensure even more families can see the savings from the energy transition.”

Plug-in solar is already widely used in Europe and the UK, where the systems are commonly attached to apartment balconies or set up in backyards.

Overseas, they typically cost up to $1300, with extra costs for a plug-in battery.

German retail prices for complete sets, includes panels, micro-inverter, mounting hardware and battery. Source: Smart Energy Lab

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One of the biggest selling points for renters is that the systems are portable and can be taken to a new property when they move out.

Industry experts have suggested the payback period for plug-in solar systems could range from four to 10 years, although advocacy group Solar Citizens has previously estimated average annual savings of $300 to $400, with that figure potentially doubling when paired with a battery.

The announcement has been met with plenty of approval, online.

“All rentals should have solar and batteries installed by landlords,” one person commented on Facebook.

“Such a great idea. Our caravans have solar, it really makes more sense that our rental properties do,” another person stated.

However, some questioned how the policy would be implemented.

“What about insurance? The strata insurance doesn’t cover individual solar panels, only those installed by strata, and owners can’t get insurance as they own a strata lot not the building,” one person said.

“The strata committee is going to have a field day with this,” a second person commented.

Where Aussies are feeling the greatest energy bill pressure

The WA move could also strike a chord nationally as households grapple with power bill pressure and wider living costs.

New iSelect research found energy affordability varies sharply across the country, with South Australia ranked the least affordable state for household energy bills.

Households there spend 3.41 per cent of their monthly income on energy, with the highest average monthly bill in the nation at $192.

Source: iSelect

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New South Wales ranked second least affordable, with households spending 2.66 per cent of monthly earnings on energy bills and paying an average of $168.72 a month.

Tasmania ranked third, with households spending 2.5 per cent of earnings on energy despite relatively lower average monthly bills of $141.

Victoria and the Northern Territory were ranked the most affordable for household energy. Victorians recorded the nation’s lowest average monthly bill at $117, while Northern Territory households spent the smallest share of their income on energy, at 1.90 per cent.

Western Australia and the ACT were also among the more affordable jurisdictions, although WA households still spend about $147 a month on energy.

If approved, plug-in solar could finally give renters and apartment residents access to a solar saving that, until now, has largely been reserved for homeowners.