Fully-matching results
A solar PV system earning the 44c Feed in Tariff (FiT) under the Solar Bonus Scheme will lose eligibility if:
- You changed the account details, such as account name or added an account holder (other than a spouse)
- You increased the solar PV system’s rated inverter capacity. Note, extra panels can be connected to the existing inverter(s) without eligibility being affected.
Exceptions
Your 44c FiT eligibility will be reinstated if you provide evidence that:
- The new electricity account holder is the spouse of the original account holder
- One or more of multiple account holders were removed from the account but at least one original account holder remains and no new names were added
- The FiT was otherwise removed incorrectly.
This is due to changes to legislation which took effect on 23 November 2012.
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If you're currently on the 44 c/kWh solar feed-in tariff and earning money for feeding electricity back into the grid, you may be better off continuing to export your electricity rather than installing batteries and storing it. The Queensland Government released new guidelines in 2017 about using batteries alongside the 44 c/kWh feed-in tariff. If in doubt, talk to your system installer for details.
If you're currently on a lower solar feed-in tariff, and your solar panels generate more electricity than you use during the day, installing a battery storage system may help reduce your overall cost of electricity. These feed-in tariffs are now set by electricity retailers, so you'll need to check with your retailer about the conditions of your scheme.
If you have a small solar PV system and you’re not exporting much electricity, or if you're thinking about upgrading your solar panels (and forgoing the 44 c/kWh feed-in tariff), batteries may still be worth considering.
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There are a number of great benefits to electric vehicles (EVs) over conventional petrol/diesel cars.
- Cheaper to run
- Cheaper to maintain
- Cheaper to register
- Better for the environment
- Health benefits
- Better for the Network
- Better for our energy security
Find out more about the Benefits of Electric Vehicles.
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The benefits of having battery storage can include:
- Use more solar – Battery storage allows you to store your solar power for use at night, helping you save on your electricity bills
- Back-up power – Stay out of the dark and use your battery storage system for back-up power during a blackout*
- More sustainable – Work towards your sustainability goals and store excess renewable energy for later use.
* Not all battery systems will work during a blackout so check this with your installer.
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There are two main types of electric vehicles (EVs), defined by the degree that electricity is used as their energy source:
- Battery Electric Vehicles – BEVs
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – PHEVs.
For more information visit our Types of EVs web page.
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Power from a solar PV system is generally used to supply your premises first. Any excess solar power that is not used by your home or business may be ‘fed-in’, to the electricity grid (if you are approved to connect and export). This is what ‘exporting to the grid’ means.
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The key features to look at when comparing battery storage systems are:
- Charging cycles. Batteries have different cycle lives – the number of times a battery can be charged/discharged over its lifetime.
- Battery life. All batteries will lose storage capacity over time, some quicker than others. Battery storage capacity and battery life are also impacted by how the battery is used and temperature. When you enquire about your battery storage system, ask about warranty periods and disposal costs at the end of battery life. Generally your battery storage system will last for 5 to 15 years.
- Usable energy. The usable energy of your battery storage system is what needs to match your electricity needs. However not all of the energy a battery stores is available as 'usable energy' in your premises. The amount of usable energy (or 'typical cycle capacity') can range from 30% to 80% of the battery's energy storage capacity. For example, one battery may have a total energy storage capacity of 20kWh and a cycle capacity of 80%, and therefore 16kWh is available as usable energy. Another battery may have a total energy storage capacity of 20kWh and a cycle capacity of only 50%, and therefore only 10kWh is available as usable energy.
- Safety. There is a wide range of battery storage systems and they can all differ in their technical safety. Misusing the battery or not having the correct battery management system might put stress on the system, making it more vulnerable to fail or in some cases start a fire. Check with your battery installer and other sources for the technical safety of your proposed battery storage system. Also be aware that batteries can present dangers if that part of your premises was to catch fire. Do not use your battery if there is ANY damage to the battery enclosure or the battery.
- Temperature. Different batteries are suited to different climates, but most batteries do not like very high or very low temperatures. When installing the system, make sure there is good ventilation, no direct sunlight or exposure to the weather. Choose a battery technology that can cope with the temperatures your premises is likely to experience.
- Battery management system. A battery management system is used for some types of batteries. A lithium based battery must have a battery management system. The battery management system ensures that the flow of energy in and out of the battery does not harm it. It also ensures that the battery does not overheat. Other battery systems, for example a lead acid based battery, do not require a battery management system and the charger (or inverter) controls the amount of energy flowing in and out of the battery. If a battery’s charge and discharge is not well managed, the battery life may be shortened and the battery may fail.
- User interface. Some battery storage systems have a user friendly interface via a front screen and some use a smart phone app (or similar). A monitoring system can be used to check how your system is operating. You may need to provide an internet connection for your system.
- Inverters. Your battery storage system will connect to the grid and your premises through an inverter. The inverter converts the direct current (DC) power of your battery to the alternating current (AC) power suitable for your premises. AC power is supplied from the inverter at 240v (+/-6v) – the voltage generally used by appliances in homes and businesses. The inverter should be sized to suit your energy needs and the battery system requirements. It must be able to talk to the battery management system and be compatible with your battery.
- How is it intended to be used? For example:
- some systems are only intended for providing backup power
- some systems can only charge from your solar panels and not from the electricity grid.
- How big is it and where does it need to be installed?
Your system installer will help you understand the differences between systems and choose a system appropriate for your requirements.
Additional features you might want to discuss with your system installer include:
- The battery’s operating temperature range. Some systems do not operate well in particularly cold weather or on hot days.
- Can the batteries be recycled at the end of their useful life?
- How long will the battery system last, and what is the product warranty period?
- Would it be simple to add more batteries to the system down the track if your needs change?
- Is it an ‘all in one’ device or are there multiple components that must also be installed – including any programming to ensure compatibility.
- Inverter compatibility: Does it only work with a specific inverter or is it compatible with multiple brands?
- Does it have direct solar panel input?
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Depending which product you choose, some battery systems can be wall mounted, while others are floor standing. Some are best located inside while others should be installed outside. You may also choose to install multiple batteries to increase your storage capacity, in which case you'll need extra storage space. All installations need to comply with the latest Clean Energy Council installation guidelines.
Lead acid batteries tend to be physically larger than lithium batteries and are usually installed outside or in a utility room (e.g. garage or basement), as they may vent hydrogen. Some batteries (usually lithium batteries) are designed to be wall mounted inside a utility room, which helps control their temperature.
If your battery is designed to be installed outside, it needs to be in a weatherproof enclosure. When choosing an installation space, consider access for electrical wiring and potential flooding/splashing of the enclosure. The battery should be out of direct sunlight, and not be adjacent to heat or ignition sources. If your battery is installed inside, you may also need to consider ventilation. Your manufacturer’s instructions will confirm whether your battery can be safely installed inside.
These are all factors to consider when you talk to a battery system installer or supplier. For more information visit Talk to the experts.
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To ensure your battery storage system operates at an optimal level and achieves its expected service life you'll need to think about where you locate the system.
Here are our top seven things to consider when deciding where to install your battery storage system:
- Ventilation and heat. Batteries need to be in well-ventilated areas and away from sources of heat, including direct sunlight.
- Accessibility. Your battery should be easily accessible for maintenance.
- Safety. A battery storage system should be enclosed and have suitable warning signs indicating that a large amount of energy is stored within.
- Protection. Batteries should be protected from vermin and weather.
- Isolation. You need to be able to quickly isolate your battery from the electricity network in the case of an emergency.
- Weight. Batteries can be quite heavy so a structural engineer may be needed to review the storage location and recommend appropriate fittings to meet building codes.
- Inside or outside? Installing a battery storage system inside your home or business is often not the best solution.
Moving properties?
It is possible to take your battery system with you when you move house, so long as a qualified electrician performs the task and notifies the Queensland distributed network service provider. However, a battery system can weigh over 500kg and may be considered a fixture of the house when selling.
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Contact your electricity retailer to ask if they will pay you for the electricity your solar PV system may export.
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Category: Solar, batteries & EVs