- Eligible concession holders will forgo energy concessions for the free system
- Trial program will be for 1000 households in selected suburbs
- SA Gov says this removes the main burden of installing a system - the unit itself and installation costs
The South Australian Government has announced concession holders can now access cheaper and cleaner electricity through the South Australian Government’s new Switch for Solar program.
The trial program allows 1,000 eligible households to have a solar system installed free of charge in exchange for concession payments.
Based on current modelling, a typical household joining the program would be up to $665 better off annually compared to the current arrangement whereby eligible households receive the energy concessions and Cost of Living Concession (COLC).
In particular, eligible households who ‘switch’ to the program will receive a 4.4 kilowatt solar PV system in lieu of energy concessions and COLC for up to ten years.
Dan van Holst Pellekaan, the Minister for Energy and Mining, said the $4.25 million pilot program is designed to remove the main barrier stopping households from uptaking solar – the cost of buying and installing the system.
“From Monday, 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,” said Mr van Holst Pellekaan.
“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.”
Dan van Holst Pellekaan, Minister for Energy and Mining
Sharpe Energy Hib and Zen Energy have been selected by the State government as program partners and will install the solar systems.
The Minister for Human Services, Michelle Lensik, added that the program is a win-win for all stakeholders.
“Not only is the Government injecting money into the economy and supporting vital jobs through the purchase of 1000 new solar PV systems, our concession holders will [also] get big bill savings off their energy bills,” she said.
“There is no doubt this is huge bill relief for the households that take part in this program.”
Michelle Lensik, Minister for Human Services
Last financial year, more than 56% of electricity generated in the state was from renewable sources – on track for a net 100% renewable generation by the end of the decade.
Areas selected for the 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.
