Australia, Projects, Renewables, Solar, Solar, Storage, Uncategorised

Community solar bring renewable savings home

In a joint initiative between the Federal and Queensland Governments, up to 5500 households in Caloundra and Townsville are poised to enjoy significant savings on their electricity bills through the installation of community solar and storage systems.

Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen said the Albanese Government is delivering lasting savings to households by helping reduce energy bills through greater access to cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.

“Queenslanders have some of the country’s best sunshine. The Albanese Government’s Solar Banks program is making sure everyone can enjoy cheap solar power in their homes,” Bowen said.

“By partnering with the Queensland Government we’re making it easier for Queenslanders to access the cheapest form of energy and cut power bills.”

The program aims to extend the benefits of solar power to renters, apartment dwellers, and vulnerable communities.

The Queensland Government has already committed $80 million to establish Local Renewable Energy Zones (LREZ) in Townsville and Caloundra.

These zones will enable the sharing of solar energy, allowing households with rooftop solar panels to transfer excess energy generated during the day to local batteries.

This stored energy can then be distributed back to households during peak evening hours when demand is high and solar generation is low.

To further bolster this initiative, the Albanese Government has announced an additional $21.2 million investment to expand the solar capacity of the Queensland LREZ projects by an additional 10.6 megawatts.

This funding is part of the federal government’s Community Solar Banks program, which aims to provide access to shared solar for 25,000 households across Australia that have previously faced challenges in adopting solar power.

The program is expected to yield significant savings for participating households, with estimates suggesting potential annual savings of up to $800 on electricity bills.

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