Energy Minister
Dr Anthony Lynham

November 20, 2018

The State Government is offering grants and interest-free loans for households and small businesses to install batteries to store their solar power.

Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham announced the grants and loans scheme on Monday.

He said the grants would help an estimated 1500 Queensland households and small businesses cut their power bills.

“Almost half a million households in Queensland are generating power from rooftop solar,” Dr Lynham said.

“This places us in a great position for the next wave of our renewable journey – storing this solar power through home battery systems.”

Dr Lynham said the government was offering interest-free loans of up to $10,000 and grants of $3000 to purchase batteries or combined solar-battery systems.

“A high energy-using household that contributes $2000 to $3000 towards the upfront cost of their solar and battery system may save $400 a year, even after taking into account their interest-free loan repayments,” he said.

“Queensland’s small businesses can also apply for up to a $3000 grant.”

The scheme offers:

  • Grants of $3000 and interest-free loans of up to $10,000 for up to 1000 combined solar and battery systems
  • Grants of $3000 and interest-free loans of up to $6,000 for 500 batteries

This is on top of a scheme that started in June offering interest-free loans of up to $4500 for solar systems.

Dr Lynham said the government’s policy mix had already generated an estimated $2 billion worth of private investment in solar from households and small business.

He said the roll out of the solar and battery packages was also backed up with a strong safety focus.

Applicants for loans and grants must select from a panel of approved suppliers who meet stringent safety standards.

To apply for a grant or loan:

  • Get a quote from an eligible battery supplier for an eligible battery system – eligible suppliers can be found online
  • Get approved
  • Tell your supplier you’re approved and get your system installed (any system installed before approval is ineligible)
  • Get back online to have your approved dollar amount paid to your supplier

Applicants have six months from approval to get their system installed.

 

2 Responses to "Solar Battery Grants Now Available"

  1. Sounds great but if I can’t use my trusted local electrician then it’s a pass for me. It’s all well and good to have some big out-of-town installers do the job but what happens if something goes wrong? Do I have to get them back out to fix it at extra expense for the distances involved? If we can only use “approved suppliers who meet stringent safety standards” then I’d imagine that would be a yes. I wonder exactly what these “stringent safety standards” are and why our local guys don’t meet those standards. Something for this publication to look into perhaps…

    Reply

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