Western Australia will become the first state in the country to legalise plug-in solar panels and batteries, Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson will reveal on Wednesday.
The products are extremely popular in Germany, where plug-in solar panels are sold in large numbers from major outlets like Ikea.
Commonly known as balcony solar, the products can be plugged into a standard power socket, and Sanderson estimated households could save $240 a year on power bills, or $500 when paired with a battery.
The products can be sold in Australia – but not legally plugged in.
Sanderson will unveil the development at a CEDA Energy Outlook lunch on Wednesday, touting the products’ benefit to renters and apartment owners who were constrained when it came to sourcing their household power from renewables.
“For too long, the benefits of cheap solar have been out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof,” she said.
“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.”
Consultation will open on Wednesday on safety standards for the products with legislation to follow at an undetermined date.
Last month, Sanderson discussed balcony solar at a meeting of state and federal energy ministers.
Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowan said another benefit was that renters could take the kit with them wherever they move to.
“It’s been legal for a long time and now United Kingdom and New Zealand are doing it, and we’re going to do it too,” he said.
About one in 10 German households have balcony or plug-in solar installed.
Solar Citizens chief executive Heidi Lee Douglas last month welcomed the push for plug-in solar.
“Renters, apartment dwellers and low-income homes will soon be able to plug-in, switch-on and save, save, save,” she said.
“This commitment to make plug-in solar and plug-in batteries legal in Australia is great news for more than a third of Australians who rent or live in apartments, and also for low-income households so they can access some of the bill-busting benefits that cheap clean solar homeowners enjoy.”
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