South Australian concession holders can now access cheaper, cleaner electricity with the Switch for Solar pilot program kicking off today.
The Switch for Solar trial program gives one thousand eligible households the chance to have a free solar system installed in exchange for their concession payments and drives further job creation in the renewable energy sector.
A typical household joining Switch for Solar could be up to $665 better off every year, compared to continuing to receive the energy concession and Cost of Living Concession (COLC).
One thousand concession holders in selected suburbs will be offered the chance to ‘switch’ their energy concession and COLC for a period of ten years for a 4.4 kilowatt solar PV system installed on their home at no upfront cost.
Suburbs selected for this pilot include Hope Valley, Banksia Park, Tea Tree Gully, Vista, Modbury, Modbury Heights, Modbury North, Felixstow, Campbelltown, Newton, Paradise, Athelstone, Dernancourt, Holden Hill, Highbury, Redwood Park and Ridgehaven, and Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island in regional SA.
Local companies Sharpe Energy Hub and Zen Energy have been selected as program partners and will install the solar systems for the pilot program.
From 17 May 2021 eligible concession holders in the selected suburbs will be contacted directly to hear more about how the program can save them money on their electricity bills and how they can go about signing up.
Modelling shows a typical household joining Switch for Solar could be $210 to $665 better off every year, compared to the energy concession and Cost of Living Concession they currently receive.
This pilot program is a great chance for concession holders to not just access more affordable electricity but cleaner electricity – more than 56 per cent of electricity generated in South Australia was from renewable sources last financial year and we’re aiming for net 100 per cent renewable generation by 2030.
Background
Eligible ConcessionsSA customers can receive up to $215.10 per year from the Cost of Living Concession and up to $231.41 per year towards their energy bill, totalling up to $446.51.
In exchange for these payments, eligible concession holders will get a free solar PV system and the flow on effect of huge bill savings annually. A small fee may be payable if a non-standard installation is required.
Eligible households will need to own their own home and not have an existing solar system.
The suburbs and regions were selected by the Department for Energy and Mining based on where the network can best accommodate the volume of solar installations.
More information and application
More information about the Switch for Solar program and ways to apply for your place on the program can be found at www.sa.gov.au/switchforsolar
Monday 17 May 2021
