The UK has officially legalised plug in solar, and with momentum building across Europe, it’s time for Australia to follow suit.
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Millions of Australians are locked out of the energy transition, unable to install solar panels and stuck paying ever increasing energy bills.
All Australians, whether they rent or own a home, deserve access to cheap, clean power.
The rising cost of buying a home means more Australians are renting than ever before. The cost of living crisis is hitting renters harder as they are also facing high energy bills to stay safe and comfortable in their homes during extreme weather.
But new plug in technology for solar panels, already in use overseas, could give all Australians access to renewable energy, no matter where they live.
Renting is on the rise
Long-term trends show that more and more Australians are renting, not buying – and they’re renting for longer.
In 1996, one-quarter (27 per cent) of Australian households rented. That figure is now one third, or 3 million households.
For younger people, the trend is even starker. Between 1971 and 2021, the number of homeowners aged 25 – 29 sank from 50 per cent to 36 per cent, indicating that housing affordability hits young people hard.
No longer a stepping stone to home ownership, renting is becoming a long term reality for many, with 59 per cent of private renters saying they did not think they would ever be able to afford a home.
Rental conditions mean millions of people don’t have equal access to cheaper, cleaner energy:
- landlords have no financial incentive to install solar panels for tenants
- renters on one-year leases, as is the norm in Australia, have no incentive to invest in solar panels themselves
- renters are more likely to be under financial pressure, and may have limited access to capital for the upfront costs of installation
- many Australian rental homes are apartments, which often have small or unsuitable rooftops or strata restrictions that block solar installation.
The technology already exists for equitable access
Small solar-panel systems, known as plug-in solar, are already available overseas. They can be easily installed on balconies or sheds, and connected to a normal power point.
Portable batteries can store energy and help manage demand, and are already available in Australia. Many people use them to charge phones or small appliances. In other countries, they can also be used with plug in solar to export electricity into your home.
Internationally, this technology is already in use. Germany already has over 1 million plug in solar panels on balconies, many of these with portable batteries.
Uptake for plug in solar is increasing in Spain and Belgium, and on 27 August the UK legalised plug-in solar for homes.
The bad news – and the good
As with many new technologies, there are challenges to overcome in the Australian market.
There aren’t any approved plug in solar systems with portable batteries in Australia yet, and more research is needed to understand how these systems might affect the energy grid and current safety standards.
Current regulations mean body corporates and landlords can block plug in solar. More work is also needed to assess whether all rental properties are suitable for plug in solar and establish clear standards and compliance.
Yet depending on their home and energy use, renters could save up to 13 per cent a year on power bills with plug in solar.
Renters could also see a relatively swift return on their investment. In Germany, payback is 2 – 5 years despite lower solar energy potential than Australia.
Some state governments are already moving on rental equity, and have introduced or are investigating minimum energy efficiency rental standards. Other states are implementing voluntary home energy ratings which can help renters budget and plan for energy bills.
Plug in solar and portable batteries add to these initiatives, giving renters individual agency to take part in the energy transition.
Giving solar access to renters could also accelerate Australia’s path to net zero. Each extra household generating renewable energy reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
What needs to happen next
Imagine a sea of plug in solar panels on balconies across Australian cities: a clear visual sign that clean energy and cost savings are accessible to everyone. It also matters for Australia’s climate.
Governments can act now to safely enable plug-in solar and portable plug-in batteries in Australia. This could include:
- funding trials of these technologies in Australian rental homes
- developing nationally consistent safety, product and connection standards
- reviewing residential tenancy laws to ensure renters can access the technology where appropriate
- creating a clear, regulatory pathway for approved systems to be used in homes
- prioritising low-income and vulnerable households in demonstration and support programs.
These measures will mean the millions of renters can benefit from the renewable clean energy transition, while also accelerating Australia’s net zero transition.
The technology works. The economics make sense. Renters, like homeowners, deserve access to cheaper, cleaner power – and Australia’s energy transition will be better for it.
