Arabic version: قواعد الطاقة الشمسية القابلة للتوصيل قد تخفّض فواتير الأستراليين

According to The Guardian, millions of Australians could save up to $370 a year on energy bills if governments legalised plug-in solar panels, following the United Kingdom’s decision to allow the technology. Researchers estimated that people living in Australian capital cities could save between $226 and $372 annually using a plug-in system.

Plug-in solar consists of small standalone units that can be attached to balconies or used in back yards, then plugged into power points to offset electricity used by household appliances. Although the systems are sold in Australia, they are not legal to plug in and use. Units went on sale in the UK from Thursday after the technology was made legal there this week.

Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive of Solar Citizens, said renters and apartment residents were missing the “bill-busting benefits” available to solar homeowners. She said more than three million Australians could benefit from portable panels and called on politicians and regulators to update rules. Douglas pointed to the UK, Germany, Spain and New Zealand as places where plug-in solar is available.

Glen Morris, director of the Smart Energy Lab, said an 800-watt system could generate enough electricity to run a fridge, television and other appliances during daylight hours. He said a kit costing about $1,000 could pay for itself in three years and continue working for 20 years. Morris said it was often the only solar option renters could own, as they could take the equipment when they moved.

Energy Consumers Australia found that about 11% of renters had solar installed, compared with about 44% of homeowners. Solar was installed at 6% of apartments, versus 39% of detached or semi-detached homes. The organisation cited a split incentive in which landlords face installation costs while tenants receive most of the benefits, as well as common-property complexities for apartment dwellers.