Rising energy costs have left many households struggling to keep up, with families searching for long-term solutions to ease the financial burden.

A new initiative could offer a game-changing opportunity, promising significant relief for those looking to cut their power bills.

As plans unfold, questions arise about who will benefit, how it will work, and what this could mean for the future of household energy use.

The Australian government expanded its efforts to help households reduce energy costs by extending a $144 million electrification initiative.

Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen directed the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to consider funding more community electrification demonstration projects.

This decision followed the success of ‘Electrify 2515’, a $12 million pilot program in the 2515 postcode near Wollongong.

Government expands $144M electrification initiative nationwide. Image source: Pexel/Rodolfo Clix

The program provided subsidies for households to switch to energy-efficient electric appliances and move away from gas power.

ARENA had backed 49 projects over six years, and the agency was now exploring similar programs in the ACT, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.

Participating households received support to install solar panels, home batteries and energy-efficient appliances, along with access to shared community energy storage.

By transitioning to solar electricity, families could see a significant drop in energy bills, with experts citing it as a major cost-saving measure during the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

‘In this cost-of-living crisis one of highest-impact, non-inflationary things governments can do is to help households electrify and deliver thousands in permanent power bill relief,’ Senator David Pocock said.

Low-income families often struggled with the upfront cost of replacing appliances, making it harder for them to access these savings, which the programs aimed to address.

‘On average, homes with rooftop solar save $1500 per year on energy bills and the Climate Council, along with other organisations, has long called for those savings to be more accessible to low-income households,’ Climate Council chief executive Amanda McKenzie said.

Beyond household savings, these projects contributed to Australia’s transition away from fossil fuels and helped reduce emissions.

Swinburne renewable energy expert Professor Mehdi Seyedmahmoudian highlighted the importance of the initiative, noting that it aligned with the suburban-wide microgrid concept.

‘These trials are designed to enable communities and individual households to participate in an open, distributed energy market where energy is produced, consumed, and managed locally,’ he said.

‘This approach not only offers technological benefits but also presents an appealing business model for private sector investment in developing community-level energy management and transaction technologies.’

‘By scaling these proven strategies to a suburban context, the suburban-wide microgrid can accelerate the energy transition, enhance resilience, and support a sustainable future for communities across Australia.’

Key Takeaways

• The Australian government expanded a $144 million electrification initiative, directing ARENA to fund more community projects after the success of ‘Electrify 2515’, which helped households transition from gas to energy-efficient electric appliances.
• Over six years, ARENA supported 49 projects, and similar programs were now being considered in the ACT, Western Australia, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, providing subsidies for solar panels, home batteries and shared community energy storage.
• Experts highlighted the potential for significant savings, especially for low-income households, with rooftop solar alone reducing energy bills by an average of $1500 per year.
• The initiative aligned with the suburban-wide microgrid concept, offering technological and economic benefits while helping Australia reduce emissions and transition away from fossil fuels.

Would you make the switch if the subsidies were available in your area? Let us know in the comments.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Maybe we should all move to WA you seem to be the best place to live. Qld gets nothing but hikes in in anything run by government.

We still get hikes in government charges as well and of course we complain.
I don't know if a lot of people in WA are actually aware how lucky we are, in regards to our generous concessions. compared to most other states.

 

[mitchellowe]

IF you have solar and batteries you still will have to pay electricity suppliers over $400 a year upply charge and GST which to me is double dipping
What services do suppliers do other than supply electricity
THATS THE SERVICE SO WHY ARE WE PAYING EXERA FOR SUPPLYING THAT SERVICE
IF THEY DID NOT SERVE US WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH THEIR ELECTRICITY
ITS BLACKMAIL
WHEN I FIRST GOT SOLAR I GOT A CREDIT
NOW I AM NEARLY PAYING THE SAME FOR ELECTRICITY AS IT WAS 13 YEARS AGO EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SOLAR
WHY IS IT SOME STATES ARE GOING TO GET A CASH REBATE THIS YEARAND NOT EVERYONE ESPECIALLY PENSIONERS

 

[Margwhit57]

Yes

 

[Squizzy1]

Let me tell you something. Many years ago I used to be a promoter and sold Solar Panels by the hundreds and hundreds and they nearly sent me broke because I built my business on after sales service and in after hour service.
I never liked them and let me tell you that even though I could have installed dozens and dozens in my farm houses and farm properties, I haven't got one single solar panel on my roof.
Now I am asking you something which you might consider. What will it going to cost you when the lifespan of your solar panels will reach their end of life and how you are going to be forced to dispose of them.
Interesting enough that none of the Greenies, the multinationals, ALBO, Bowen and his lefties have made a mention to that, let alone what they are going to do with them including their huge windmills towers when that time will INEVITABLY COME.
Will they tax all of us no end or will they only forced tax on you which owns those solar panels.?
Sorry but that is the reality of it all, something which no one wants to talk about it.

You don't have to be a lefty to believe in cleaner air and environment. As you would know most of the materials in panels are recyclable, just as much as all those plastic cars, fibreglass boards, boats aircraft etc, and if the will is there, there is a way. Some of my panels are 15yrs old and still going strong, they have paid for themselves a few times over and helped feed the grid as I only use a quarter of the output. If as you state you have no solar you are only fooling yourself, because it is the only way the individual has to cut his/her cost. I have not had a bill in over a decade, and b4 when the FIT was more respectable used the credits to pay for gas. I have a homemade bore and use some of that free energy to pump free water for the garden and vegies, saving the water system for those like yourself to use, I can only imagine what you are missing out on on a farm, but that's your choice, so good for you. Taxing for the recycling of panels like is done for tyres is not a stupid idea and worthy of discussion, and who do you suppose pays for the decommissioning of other energy generation and mining sites, the owners.

 

[Squizzy1]

IF you have solar and batteries you still will have to pay electricity suppliers over $400 a year upply charge and GST which to me is double dipping
What services do suppliers do other than supply electricity
THATS THE SERVICE SO WHY ARE WE PAYING EXERA FOR SUPPLYING THAT SERVICE
IF THEY DID NOT SERVE US WHAT WOULD THEY DO WITH THEIR ELECTRICITY
ITS BLACKMAIL
WHEN I FIRST GOT SOLAR I GOT A CREDIT
NOW I AM NEARLY PAYING THE SAME FOR ELECTRICITY AS IT WAS 13 YEARS AGO EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SOLAR
WHY IS IT SOME STATES ARE GOING TO GET A CASH REBATE THIS YEARAND NOT EVERYONE ESPECIALLY PENSIONERS

It is all relative I have had solar for around 15yrs and no bill in over a decade, but the $1 a day to stay with the grid while annoying is insurance, we pay for water supply, even if we are not connected. Everyone got the $250 rebate from the Feds as well as most states had a rebate for those on pensions etc.

 

[Kelpie]

Yes , no don’t waste power, as I am the only one using power, I also Unplug when not using electric items. I had Solarhart do my solar panels and they put on what they said I needed , he even told me to switch fridge, freezer etc at night ,which I won’t do ,switching on and off I believe would cause damage ,and are too expensive to replace. All electric items are power efficient. Even had a letter offering a battery for approximately $3000.? a few months ago ,not interested .just had Solar replaced from hail damage.

And how did you manage to dispose of the damaged solar panels.?
Curious indeed.
And I also know what damage hail can do to solar panels and windmill generators where hail will not stop a turbine (Be it gas or coal, diesel or Nuclear) from working.
Somewhere in Texas not so long ago thousands of solar panels got damaged by a hail storm and they kept secret under Biden and his Energy secretary of course, how long people were without any power.
One of my relations living near there told me that there were literally tens of thousands of panels damaged while the Energy Dept kept it in the hundreds and they also kept quite the damage they would have caused to the environment and the waterways, as we all know the high toxicity of material in which they are made of.

And I quote:

In mid-March, a hailstorm outside of Houston crippled an enormous solar plant, breaking panels and leaving local residents concerned about metals leaking into water supplies.
Solar panels are getting larger and their glass is getting thinner to reduce costs, making the panels more fragile.

 

[mitchellowe]

It is all relative I have had solar for around 15yrs and no bill in over a decade, but the $1 a day to stay with the grid while annoying is insurance, we pay for water supply, even if we are not connected. Everyone got the $250 rebate from the Feds as well as most states had a rebate for those on pensions etc.

YES everyone got the rebate last year including politicians and the rich but what about this year

 

[Squizzy1]

I was.born in Victoria. Moved here 51 years ago and never wanted to go back.
I lived in SA for a while. They have the dearest power and concessions were pretty much non existent.
NSW and Vic not much better.
My son wants me to move to NSW and be near them. My answer was why did you move to NSW, everything is so much more expensive.
WA is the place to be.IMO.

WA is not a part of the National grid network which was supposed to make energy cheaper if you remember, but then they privatised everything and now it's used to manipulate the market. Most of the plant in SA seldom runs and is mothballed to keep the market at a peak, that is why solar is popular here as it is the only way an individual has to ease the cost. The WA Govt. on the other hand still own the vast majority of generation there, as well as contracts for domestic gas supply, hence avoiding the pitfalls of the Eastern States

 

[mitchellowe]

It is all relative I have had solar for around 15yrs and no bill in over a decade, but the $1 a day to stay with the grid while annoying is insurance, we pay for water supply, even if we are not connected. Everyone got the $250 rebate from the Feds as well as most states had a rebate for those on pensions etc.

when solar first came out you got 36 cents feed in FOR YEARS
WHAT IS IT NOW
THERE WAS NO SUPPLY CHARGE THEN
WHEN PENSIONS GET THE PAYRISE EVERY 6 MONTHS IT IS NOT BASED ON THE TRUE CPI
SEVERAL COST INCREASES ARE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT SO THE GOVT CAN RIP OFF PENSIONERS WITH FALSE CPI READINGS AND THEY ARE PROUD ABOUT IT

 

[Luckyus]

Yes, I have 13kw solar but would definately be interested in batteries.

Same here, but being on a pension only way, out of my reach.

 

[Squizzy1]

This useless government really knows how to spend taxpayer dollars with no benefit for the population. But they don't know anything about electricity and the heartache they have inflicted on this country through their inane and unworkable solutions which are destroying this country. They lie at every turn and have not fulfilled any of their election promises so I don't trust them and hope that they get tossed out at the next election.

If you think electricity is dear now, wait till the nuclear hits in 15-20yrs time, assuming you will still be with us. I have solar for 15yrs and no bill in over a decade

 

[mylittletibbies]

WA is not a part of the National grid network which was supposed to make energy cheaper if you remember, but then they privatised everything and now it's used to manipulate the market. Most of the plant in SA seldom runs and is mothballed to keep the market at a peak, that is why solar is popular here as it is the only way an individual has to ease the cost. The WA Govt. on the other hand still own the vast majority of generation there, as well as contracts for domestic gas supply, hence avoiding the pitfalls of the Eastern States

The government privatise everything, telling us competition will make things cheaper. It never does.
Every time something is privatised everything goes down the gurgler except surprise, surprise, prices.

 

[Kelpie]

For your interest and perusal:

""(
The incident points out the perils of trading traditional power sources for vulnerable “green” alternatives and underscores the importance of an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy instead of relying on or fully transitioning to renewable energy sources. Because solar panels are largely manufactured in China, China may not be sympathetic to helping U.S. utilities if the electric grid is down due to solar panel problems.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, solar panels contain metals such as lead and cadmium, which are harmful to human health and the environment at high levels. However, in solar cells these metals are found in solid form in a thin film that usually becomes an environmental concern when disposing of them. While some solar panels are considered hazardous waste, others are not, depending on the leachability of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act toxic materials in the solar panel. Denmark-based Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the parent company of the Fighting Jays Solar project’s developer, AP Solar Holdings, confirmed the storm had taken out much of the farm, but stated there was currently no risk to the nearby community of chemical exposure.

Hail is becoming a major issue for the PV industry as more solar sites are being built in the central part of the United States — a hail-prone region — and modules are moving towards larger panels with thinner glass. To mitigate the damage that hail can cause, moving panels into hail stow is proving effective. Hail stow entails increasing the angle of the panels to a more vertical incline, reducing the likelihood hail will damage panels. Because it requires moving the panels out of the optimal production angle, utilizing hail stow will lead to a loss of revenue. It is estimated that the solar industry is losing $2.5 billion annually from equipment underperformance, likely caused by equipment malfunctions and weather conditions, according to an article in kWh Analytics’ 2023 Solar Risk Assessment.

Last year, GCube Insurance, an underwriter for renewable energy, released a report stating that the solar industry needs to find low-cost solutions due to the escalating frequency and severity of hailstorms, based on data it collected over five years. It reported that hail claims average around $58.4 million per claim and account for 54.21 percent of incurred costs of total solar loss claims being attributable to hail, which creates a gap between the insurance requirements for solar projects and what is available in the market, leading to project delays and cancellations. The report identifies several factors contributing to solar project vulnerability, including inadequate hail risk models, ineffective mitigation strategies, limited and costly insurance coverage, and an uncertain funding landscape. It also highlights how solar manufacturers wanting to reduce costs have introduced larger solar panels with thinner, more fragile glass and have chosen locations more susceptible to hail risk, threatening the financial viability of future projects.)""

 

[Squizzy1]

YES everyone got the rebate last year including politicians and the rich but what about this year

It's Feb 2nd and Parliament's still on leave,

 

[Squizzy1]

The government privatise everything, telling us competition will make things cheaper. It never does.
Every time something is privatised everything goes down the gurgler except surprise, surprise, prices.

Exactly, and they were warned it didn't work from the UK's experience dome years earlier.

 

[Squizzy1]

For your interest and perusal:

""(
The incident points out the perils of trading traditional power sources for vulnerable “green” alternatives and underscores the importance of an “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy instead of relying on or fully transitioning to renewable energy sources. Because solar panels are largely manufactured in China, China may not be sympathetic to helping U.S. utilities if the electric grid is down due to solar panel problems.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, solar panels contain metals such as lead and cadmium, which are harmful to human health and the environment at high levels. However, in solar cells these metals are found in solid form in a thin film that usually becomes an environmental concern when disposing of them. While some solar panels are considered hazardous waste, others are not, depending on the leachability of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act toxic materials in the solar panel. Denmark-based Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, the parent company of the Fighting Jays Solar project’s developer, AP Solar Holdings, confirmed the storm had taken out much of the farm, but stated there was currently no risk to the nearby community of chemical exposure.

Hail is becoming a major issue for the PV industry as more solar sites are being built in the central part of the United States — a hail-prone region — and modules are moving towards larger panels with thinner glass. To mitigate the damage that hail can cause, moving panels into hail stow is proving effective. Hail stow entails increasing the angle of the panels to a more vertical incline, reducing the likelihood hail will damage panels. Because it requires moving the panels out of the optimal production angle, utilizing hail stow will lead to a loss of revenue. It is estimated that the solar industry is losing $2.5 billion annually from equipment underperformance, likely caused by equipment malfunctions and weather conditions, according to an article in kWh Analytics’ 2023 Solar Risk Assessment.

Last year, GCube Insurance, an underwriter for renewable energy, released a report stating that the solar industry needs to find low-cost solutions due to the escalating frequency and severity of hailstorms, based on data it collected over five years. It reported that hail claims average around $58.4 million per claim and account for 54.21 percent of incurred costs of total solar loss claims being attributable to hail, which creates a gap between the insurance requirements for solar projects and what is available in the market, leading to project delays and cancellations. The report identifies several factors contributing to solar project vulnerability, including inadequate hail risk models, ineffective mitigation strategies, limited and costly insurance coverage, and an uncertain funding landscape. It also highlights how solar manufacturers wanting to reduce costs have introduced larger solar panels with thinner, more fragile glass and have chosen locations more susceptible to hail risk, threatening the financial viability of future projects.)""

It pays to install appropriate systems capable of enduring the local environment as they do with other structures and insure them. I can't remember the last hail here at home but it had no effect on my panels

 

[Squizzy1]

when solar first came out you got 36 cents feed in FOR YEARS
WHAT IS IT NOW
THERE WAS NO SUPPLY CHARGE THEN
WHEN PENSIONS GET THE PAYRISE EVERY 6 MONTHS IT IS NOT BASED ON THE TRUE CPI
SEVERAL COST INCREASES ARE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT SO THE GOVT CAN RIP OFF PENSIONERS WITH FALSE CPI READINGS AND THEY ARE PROUD ABOUT IT

Many things are not considered in cpi, such as housing, only the cost of materials.

 

[Kelpie]

WA is not a part of the National grid network which was supposed to make energy cheaper if you remember, but then they privatised everything and now it's used to manipulate the market. Most of the plant in SA seldom runs and is mothballed to keep the market at a peak, that is why solar is popular here as it is the only way an individual has to ease the cost. The WA Govt. on the other hand still own the vast majority of generation there, as well as contracts for domestic gas supply, hence avoiding the pitfalls of the Eastern States

As you correctly quoted: The WA Government is in full control of the generation AND MOST IMPORTANTLT THE GAS. It also encourages more Gas exploration contrary to the Marxist Victoria Government and our Socialist Minns Government where Gas exploration is banned and are begging other States to keep Gas supply to them. I know that NSW especially has an abundance of Gas underground but companies are barred from drilling in order to please the very small percentage of the City greenies while they are now planning to build an LNG Gas terminal so that they can import gas from other Countries.

That is total madness. And is that going to keep your energy prices down let alone the cost of living.?

 

[mylittletibbies]

You don't have to be a lefty to believe in cleaner air and environment. As you would know most of the materials in panels are recyclable, just as much as all those plastic cars, fibreglass boards, boats aircraft etc, and if the will is there, there is a way. Some of my panels are 15yrs old and still going strong, they have paid for themselves a few times over and helped feed the grid as I only use a quarter of the output. If as you state you have no solar you are only fooling yourself, because it is the only way the individual has to cut his/her cost. I have not had a bill in over a decade, and b4 when the FIT was more respectable used the credits to pay for gas. I have a homemade bore and use some of that free energy to pump free water for the garden and vegies, saving the water system for those like yourself to use, I can only imagine what you are missing out on on a farm, but that's your choice, so good for you. Taxing for the recycling of panels like is done for tyres is not a stupid idea and worthy of discussion, and who do you suppose pays for the decommissioning of other energy generation and mining sites, the owners.

You usually find that it's the people who don't actually have solar that speak against it the most.
A bit like the people who have never bought anything from Temu but nonetheless add their two cents worth in speaking out about something they really know anything about.

 

[Squizzy1]

Have you ever found/known of a career Politician or a career bureaucrat admitting to their mistakes and/or blunders.?

Yes Morrison, because according to him he never made any.