Community Independent candidate for Dickson Ellie Smith has called on the major parties to develop a bi-partisan policy to super charge the installation of home battery energy systems.
The call comes as both major parties signal their support for financial incentives for homes and businesses to install battery storage systems.
However, neither party has released their policy, instead choosing to wait it out to gain some sort of perceived political advantage.
Meanwhile, homes and businesses are being denied hundreds of dollars in energy bill relief. About 64 percent of dwellings in Dickson have rooftop solar systems.
About 30,000 homes and businesses in Dickson were without power in the aftermath of Cyclone Alfred. Thousands are still waiting for power to be restored.
Ellie Smith said:
“It’s taken an election campaign for both major parties to finally recognise the obvious.
“Home battery energy storage systems are the best way to immediately reduce energy costs, support a more reliable electricity grid; and encourage a more sustainable roll out of rooftop solar.
“Home batteries help make homes more resilient during blackouts. They could have helped thousands of homes stay connected during Cyclone Alfred - just in Dickson alone.
Dickson resident Jeremy Mansfield's 13.5kWh home battery switched to storm mode as Cyclone Alfred approached Brisbane’s northwest region, working in tandem with his 6.8 kilowatt rooftop solar setup.
He says the system trims his energy bills and keeps him steady when storms hit.
"It’s a no-brainer to pair batteries with solar in homes as fast as possible," Jeremy said.
“It stores excess solar power, saves money, and takes stress off the grid during peak periods. Best of all, it keeps us powered during outages—there’s real peace of mind knowing the battery’s got our back."
Ellie Smith said:
“More than 60 per cent of homes in Dickson have already installed rooftop solar systems, but only a fraction have been able to afford a home battery.
“It means that many of these homes are practically giving their excess energy away to their energy company, while paying higher rates for electricity when the sun isn’t shining.
“I’m calling on the major parties to agree to make a super charged home battery support program their immediate priority.
“This could include a rebate program, incentives for landlords with benefits flowing to renters and a low or no interest loan scheme.
“People in Dickson are sick and tired of hearing that the LNP or Labor will only release their policies closer to the election. If it's a good idea, tell us now and work together after the election to make the policy even better.”
Ms Smith said she would work with an incoming Government, the Opposition and Cross Bench MPs, to support a battery energy incentive program that provided maximum benefit to homes and businesses.
“This super charged home battery policy should be up and running before we enter the high winter billing period and to insulate customers from any potential energy bill increases on July 1.”
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