The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is investigating the impact of distributed energy such as that from rooftop solar panel systems on the electricity grid. Its new initiative — the Distributed Energy Integration Program (DEIP) — aims to find the best way to harness residential solar power’s collective potential.
Families in Cairns are taking advantage of the new Queensland interest free solar loans program. Like other North Queenslanders, eligible Cairns residents can now apply for a $4,500 interest free loan from the Palaszczuk Government to help buy a new solar PV system.
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has developed a home battery quality assurance and standards program. The CEC produced the ‘Clean Energy Council’s Battery Assurance Program’ in consultation with organisations including the CSIRO and the Smart Energy Council.
The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has given the Tesla Powerpack grid backup battery in South Australia a big thumbs up, reports Business Insider Australia. While some members of the federal government mocked the battery, assigning it ‘gimmick’ status, AEMO’s operations manager Damien Sanford describes it as “very encouraging”.