Queensland’s Labor government has launched a distributed energy trial that aims to give the state’s most vulnerable electricity customers – as well as its half a million rental households – access to solar power.
The three-pronged trial is part of the government’s plan to deliver up to 6MW of new solar PV on up to 4000 rooftops across the state.
Three separate locations will be targeted in the trial, including the regional Cairns and Rockhampton housing service areas; a remote community at the Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council; and the Woodbridge Housing Service Centre area in the metro-area Logan City.
Queensland energy minister Mark Bailey said on Monday that in the Cairns program, eligible public housing tenants would be able to enter into a solar lease arrangement which allowed them to receive cheaper power from solar.
In Lockhart River, rooftop solar and battery storage will be installed on government-owned buildings in an effort to provide cheaper power to up to 100 local households and help wean the community off diesel power.
In the final location, Solar Power Purchase Agreements will be trialled for up to 2000 tenants in Logan City – in an effort to design a workable model that could allow solar power to be offered to Queenslanders renting in the private market.
“This is the first step toward fundamental change in the way we deliver renewable energy across Queensland,” the state’s minister for housing, Mick de Brenni, said.
“As the state’s largest landlord, this trial presents an opportunity for the Queensland government to work through issues and develop a workable model for the private rental sector.
Compare solar & battery storage quotes from installers in your area!
Image source via: www.qld.gov.au
© 2017 Solar Choice Pty Ltd
