The Federal and Queensland Governments have joined forces to launch a community solar and storage programme aimed at supporting renters, apartment residents, and those facing vulnerabilities across the state.
Up to 5,500 households in the areas of Caloundra and Townsville will benefit from the setup of communal solar systems, potentially saving each household as much as $800 annually on their electricity bills.
Investment in Renewable Energy Zones
The Queensland Government has pledged $80 million towards Local Renewable Energy Zones (LREZ) projects located in Townsville and Caloundra. This initiative is designed to extend the advantages of solar energy to those living in flats and low-income rental properties.
By integrating shared solar resources with the LREZ initiative, households equipped with rooftop solar panels can send their surplus energy produced during daylight hours into local battery storage. Subsequently, this energy can be drawn upon in the evening when demand typically rises and sunlight is no longer available.
Benefits for the Local Energy Grid
Enhancing the production of renewable energy in both Caloundra and Townsville is expected to bolster grid reliability in these areas, ensuring a steady energy supply for local residents.
Moreover, the Federal Government has allocated an extra £21.2 million to augment the solar capacity of Queensland’s LREZ initiatives by an additional 10.6MW.
This financial support forms a part of the Federal Government’s Community Solar Banks programme, which aims to make shared solar energy accessible to 25,000 homes across Australia that have previously struggled to utilise solar power.
Statements from Government Officials
Chris Bowen, the Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, remarked that the Federal Government is striving to provide lasting relief to households by lowering energy expenses through broader access to economical, cleaner, and more reliable energy sources.
“Residents of Queensland enjoy some of the best sunshine in the country. The Federal Government’s Solar Banks programme ensures that everyone can benefit from affordable solar energy in their homes,” asserted Mr Bowen.
Additionally, Queensland’s Minister for Energy and Clean Economy Jobs, Mick de Brenni, expressed that the new arrangement with the Federal Government represents a valuable opportunity for Queensland to supply more affordable and dependable power to both apartments and houses that traditionally lack access to solar energy.
“Being known as the sunshine state, it is only logical for us to harness affordable energy from the sun for the benefit of all community members, and this partnership is set to achieve exactly that,” stated Mr de Brenni.
He further added that the investment through the Solar Banks initiative would enhance the efforts already being made by the Queensland Government in Caloundra and Townsville, empowering local communities to take charge of their energy needs.