Australia funds shared community batteries for solar storage

Australia has launched an A$200 million (£100 million) grant scheme to install 400 community batteries, providing shared storage of excess solar storage, so households can access cheap, green electricity during demand peaks.

The government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program is designed to lower electricity bills, support more households to install rooftop solar, allow households who cannot install solar panels to enjoy renewable energy, reduce pressure on the electricity grid, absorb excess energy that might cause voltage spikes in the electricity grid and lower emissions.

Australia’s  Department of Industry, Science and Resources’ Business Grants Hub is providing A$29 million for 58 batteries for business users. And the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Community Batteries Funding scheme is providing A$171 for an initial 370 community batteries, with more to follow.

Community storage batteries from Fundamentals’ Australian partner EcoJoule are among the products being used in the rollout.

The initiative is part of Australia’s strategy to accelerate its transition away from reliance on coal. This includes embracing and encouraging domestic rooftop solar generation and local energy storage – simultaneously reducing electricity bills, while helping to balance supply and demand.

For example, 13 batteries have been installed to support 600 households in the Illawarra region, saving each of them an estimated A$400 a year.