- "Plug-in" solar panels and batteries to be legalised in Australian-first move
- Renters and apartment residents to benefit from significant energy bill savings
- Builds on the Cook Labor Government's record investment in solar and batteries
Renters and apartment residents will be able to save on their power bills, with the Cook Labor Government moving to legalise plug-in solar panels and batteries.
The change will make WA the first Australian state or territory to allow the systems, which are already used in millions of European households.
Portable, affordable and able to plug into a standard wall outlet, the systems offer a new route for households to save money on their power bills - particularly renters who can take systems with them if they move house.
A typical plug-in solar system could save households around $240 per year on their electricity bill, or around $500 per year if paired with a battery.
Consultation on a safety standard will be launched today, to ensure the systems are fit for Australia's electricity system and weather conditions.
The announcement builds on the Cook Labor Government's record investment in solar and batteries.
WA is a leader in rooftop solar, with panels installed on more than 40 per cent of homes in the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
In addition, more than 35,000 homes have installed home batteries under the WA Residential Battery Scheme, which offers the most generous rebates in the country.
The Department of Energy and Economic Diversification and the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safey's Building and Energy Division are consulting on the proposed legalisation pathway and a new technical standard.
The department will also work on other changes that might be needed to support renter access to the systems once they are available. More details are available on the Plug-in solar and battery systems webpage.
As stated by Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson:
"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, and the Cook Labor Government is doing something about it.
"I'm proud that our State is leading the nation on this issue - 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."
As stated by Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:
"Today's announcement is a practical move to save Western Australian families money on their power bills.
"A plug-in system arrives in a box and goes into a standard power point. When you move house, you take it with you.
"Western Australia will be the first state in the country to make this legal and we want to ensure that it's done properly.
"Today, we're kicking off a thorough consultation process to make sure that these systems are safe for Western Australian conditions, and we want to hear from industry, electrical safety experts and the community before it is finalised."
