State-
The Western Australian energy minister said its own utility synergies are being positioned to provide solar home battery storage systems when they become more affordable.
Mike Nahan said Synergy has been working on technology that has been coupling solar panels to home battery storage for some time and will enter the market when prices drop.
"For most families, the battery is still not commercial," Dr Nahan said . ".
"Their prices are falling, but I know they are experimental. "[For]
According to the consumption situation, some families and enterprises make sense --
But for the vast majority of people, it hasn't.
"Collaboration and other [companies]. . .
Ready to enter the market, get an investment, get to know it, they will be ready to go when the battery fails.
"While Dr Nahan will not disclose the schedule, ABC knows that synergies may provide these systems to families by the middle of next year.
It is believed that it will follow the announcement by Synergy in early 2016 of a solar PV product and energy management solution for homes and businesses.
The move is similar to the move by natural gas retailer Alinta, which revealed to ABC on August that it will start selling solar panels to homes in a few months, it is planned to provide battery storage equipment when the technology is commercially feasible.
Synergy already has a big foothold in the rooftop solar market and currently buys 500 MW of electricity from homes every year.
The use of WA roof solar panels is growing at an annual rate as customers try to offset rising electricity prices.
Alinta hopes to gain some market share by selling or leasing solar panel systems ranging from 1 KW to 5 KW.
Dr. Nahan welcomed the competition.
"The investment in synergy is very large, which promotes a large amount of investment in solar energy.
"Alinta is a new member of the region," Dr. Nahan said . ".
"Alinta plans to invest in solar energy on the roof and buy energy from the roof.
This is not a retailer for families.
It's also very important, from small to medium
The business of doing so is very large.
"Origin is considering doing this, and Alinta is doing it in the market, and Synergy has been planning for a while.
"I am sure it is looking forward to when we reach full retail competition and I encourage it to do so.
"Alinta can't sell electricity to homes until the market relaxes regulation
2018, therefore, natural gas retailers address this restriction by selling power generation products to customers rather than electricity itself.
Dr Nahan said the government will also remove a regulation banning battery power from the grid, which is expected to calm the peak and trough of solar energy.
"This era is the limit of regulators," he said . ".
"I have already discussed it with the times, with Western forces and with each other [the need to]
Remove any obstacles. . .
The electronics from the battery enter the grid and I expect this to change in a month. " Topics:solar-
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