Ministerial Council to Explore Plug-in Solar as National Energy Resource
What happened
The Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council agreed to explore the safe use of plug-in solar systems. These systems, also known as balcony solar or balcony power stations, consist of portable photovoltaic panels that can be plugged into a standard power outlet, potentially paired with a plug-in battery. The exploration of this technology has moved into the national consumer energy resource agenda.
Why it matters
The potential for plug-in solar offers energy cost savings for households, though these remain estimates based on individual usage patterns and electricity tariffs. The successful integration of these systems would require new standards to be developed for the residential solar market.
Who's involved
- Chris BowenMinister involved in the Ministerial Council discussions
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Australian Energy RegulatorSpeculative
The Australian Energy Regulator could face pressure to develop new standards for the residential solar market.
- Clean Energy Finance CorporationSpeculative
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation could unlock a large new residential solar market segment.