THE CLIMATE COUNCIL has welcomed moves to extend trials aimed at getting more Aussie suburbs off polluting gas and onto cheaper power bills through upgraded appliances, rooftop solar and batteries.
Using ministerial powers, the Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister has formally directed ARENA (the Australian Renewable Energy Agency) to consider funding more suburb-wide energy projects.
The projects will emulate "Electrify 2515 " in North Illawarra, where $5.4 million in ARENA funding is supporting 500 homes to cut climate pollution and reduce energy costs.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said: "It's heartening to see the Senate crossbench and Federal Government recognise that action on climate pollution is also action on our cost of living crisis.
"On average, homes with rooftop solar save $1500 per year on energy bills and the Climate Council, along with other organisations, has long called for those savings to be more accessible to low income households.
"Less gas in our homes means less harmful climate pollution endangering our families and the places we love, and putting our kids' futures at risk. Initiatives like this are a significant step on Australia's path beyond polluting gas and helps turbocharge our switch to clean energy."
Climate Councillor and energy expert Greg Bourne said: "Australia is already a winner in rooftop solar, with 4 million households already putting panels on their roofs– the highest penetration in the world. Trials also are underway to enable electric vehicle batteries to power homes and the grid, building upon the momentum we've already made in the energy transition.
"Climate Council's Seize the Sun report found, despite a lot of promising progress, Australia can go even further. With more households and businesses backed up by batteries, we can double our rooftop solar capacity by 2030. It's one of the fastest ways to cut our use of polluting coal and gas.
"Using solar panels backed by home or community batteries that store the sun's energy for use at night is a proven, reliable way to generate our own power and save thousands on energy bills at the same time."
