Plug-in Solar, also known as balcony solar, gives people who don’t own their own rooftop another way to generate clean, cheap energy at home.
Small solar units can be attached to apartment balconies or set up in backyards to help power everyday appliances. And because they’re portable, renters can take them with them when they move.
🔌 Designed to plug into your home
⚡ Typically generate around 600–800 watts
💲 Expected to cost around $650–$1,300
🏠 Could open up solar to renters and apartment residents
Plug-in solar is now used in various countries in Europe. The UK is just about to start and NZ is working towards it.
On 11 September, Australia’s Energy Ministers will meet. Help SOLAR CITIZENS get plug-in solar on the agenda
https://form.123formbuilder.com/6975553/urge-minister-bowen-to-take-action-on-plug-in-solar.
Australia has been a world leader in rooftop solar. But we can’t call the transition a success if millions of people are locked out simply because they rent or don’t own their own roof.
6 Comments
TheHolm@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 18d
$650–$1,300 - for 600–800 watts at times hindered by suboptimal orientation. - nothing cheap there. It hardly ever pay for itself.
arbilp3@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 18d
Average electricity bill based on household size · 1 person. $1,252 · 2 people. $1,548 · 3 people. $1,910 · 4 people. $2,015 · 5 people (according to Canstar). I'd say it would pay for itself in 3-5 yrs dependng on use. Also, I think it might make people become even more conscientious about power use which would bring down their costs further.
YeahToast@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 17d
Disagree. Now with utilities paying 0.004c per kwh. You've got to use energy or its worthless. Most energy usage at the moment is after hours in households.. might work alright in summer with daylight savings
arbilp3@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 17d
You could be right but don't you think it's wise to give people the choice? It may be helpful to some while decreasing use of fossil fuel energy.
YeahToast@aussie.zone · 2 pts · 17d
Yeah, or ideally find a way to subsidize putting panels on a rental either through tax credits or some other mechanism?
notgold@aussie.zone · 1 pts · 17d
I like the idea of landlords getting tax credits for putting solar in rentals. The cynic in my says it will be abused.
The idea of landlords and batteries could be good if landlords are forced to service the batteries annually.