Solar Citizens welcomes the finding in the latest Residential Electricity Price Trends report that speeding up the rollout of renewable energy, including rooftop solar, battery storage and home electrification – is the surest way to reduce electricity prices.

The report released by the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) today, finds that renewable energy and batteries drive energy prices down, especially in the next five years. But there is a risk of energy prices rising after 2030 if renewable deployment slows as coal plants are due to retire after 2030.

Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas

Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas said:

“Yet again we have analysis from an expert independent authority telling us that the smartest thing Australians can do to reduce their energy bills is to invest in rooftop solar, home batteries, electric vehicles and home electrification.

“According to AEMC Chair Anna Colyer, ‘A household that fully electrifies could reduce total energy costs by up to 90 per cent, with typical payback periods of 4 years.’

The AEMC analysis shows households that electrify could see the following savings:

• Solar panels: Approximately $1,000-$1,200 per year in electricity savings for typical households.

• Home batteries: Additional $600-$900 per year in savings when combined with solar.

• Gas appliance electrification: an approximate 60 per cent reduction in heating and cooking costs (around $1,400 per year for a household currently only using gas for these purposes)

• Electric vehicles: an approximate 40 per cent reduction in annual vehicle running costs (around $1,400 per year in fuel and maintenance savings).

Solar Citizens is particularly encouraged by the policy recommendations to:

Encourage coordinated uptake of consumer energy resources:

• Continue to support home battery uptake while ensuring systems help smooth, not increase, peak demand.

• Implement consistent national standards for consumer energy resources.

• Ensure visibility of these resources to the system operator.

Enable all households to electrify:

• Address the barriers that households face, including upfront costs, rental and apartment constraints, and EV charging access.

• Provide efficient pricing for both electricity and gas services.

• Give consumers clear information to support long-term energy decisions.

 “Solar Citizens calls on all Federal, State and Territory political leaders to take these recommendations on board, and work on solutions, for households locked out of rooftop solar,” said Ms Douglas.

“The fastest, cheapest way for households to access renewable energy, and for governments to speed up the clean energy transition, is to increase the uptake of rooftop solar – for renters, apartments and commercial and industrial buildings.  

“We need to see politicians come together with renters, landlords, and the business sector to remove the barriers to accessing rooftop solar and batteries faced by 1 in 3 Australians who rent and 1 in 10 (and growing) who live in apartments.

“We challenge the Federal Government to commit to doubling rooftop solar by 2035.

About Solar Citizens

Solar Citizens is an independent, community-based organisation that champions a democratic, people-powered energy system that cuts bills, reduces emissions, and makes Australia a global leader in the clean-energy transition. Our website is https://www.solarcitizens.org.au/

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