Key facts
- Plug-in solar panels could save Australian households up to $370 annually.
- These systems are legal in the UK, Germany, Spain, and New Zealand.
- An 800-watt system costs approximately $1,000 and pays for itself in three years.
- Renters and apartment dwellers are disproportionately missing out on solar benefits.
- Australia is experiencing accelerating investment in large-scale solar and high demand for home batteries.
Millions of Australians could significantly reduce their energy bills and contribute to climate action if plug-in solar panels were legalized, according to Solar Citizens. These small, standalone solar units can be attached to balconies or used in yards and plugged directly into household power points to offset appliance energy use.
Researchers estimate that residents in Australian capital cities could save between $226 and $372 annually by using these systems. While such systems are sold in Australia, they are not yet legal to connect and operate. This prevents over a third of Australians who rent or live in apartments from accessing the cost-saving benefits enjoyed by homeowners with traditional solar installations.
Heidi Lee Douglas, CEO of Solar Citizens, highlighted the unfairness of this situation, noting that countries like the UK, Germany, Spain, and New Zealand have already made plug-in solar available. She urged Australian politicians and regulators to update regulations to allow the technology.
Glen Morris, a solar and battery engineer, explained that an 800-watt system, costing around $1,000, could power essential appliances like a fridge and television during the day. He added that such a system pays for itself within three years and has a lifespan of twenty years, making it a viable solar option for renters who can take it with them when they move.
Research by Energy Consumers Australia indicates a significant disparity in solar adoption, with only 11% of renters having solar compared to 44% of homeowners. A similar gap exists for apartment dwellers (6%) versus those in detached houses (39%). The organization attributes this to the 'split incentive' problem, where landlords bear installation costs while tenants reap the primary benefits, and structural complexities for apartment residents.
In parallel, Australia is experiencing rapid growth in renewable energy investment. The regulator reported record quarterly investment in large-scale solar, with 1.8 gigawatts reaching final investment decisions. The acting chair, Carl Binning, noted the accelerating pace of the energy transition, supported by strong demand for home batteries under the government's Cheaper Home Batteries program, which has received over 500,000 applications.