solar batteries 'exploding' in popularity with uptake tipped to triple in 2017, audit finds - powerwall battery

The first national audit of batteries storing solar energy showed that Australian households installed nearly 7,000 batteries last year --
That number is expected to double this year.
Warwick Johnston, SunWiz, a solar consulting firm, conducted an audit by talking to manufacturers and suppliers.
"Battery prices have dropped significantly in the medium term.
"It was not until 2016 that the popularity of batteries had just erupted," he told ABC . ".
With power outages in South Australia, the battery will eventually become a "game changer" for Australia's energy network, he said ".
The price of solar cells is expensive, but the fierce competition has lowered the price.
About 20 manufacturers are producing about 90 products in Australia, and the cheapest battery retail price is $1,200.
The price of many larger batteries is still between $8,000 and $10,000.
Mr. Johnston says the battery is good not only for homeowners but for the entire community.
He said the energy stored in the battery is likely to be put back into the grid for public use.
"I would like to say that in three years we will start to see the battery play an important role in the network," Mr Johnston said . ".
"It is both a matter of management and a matter of great opportunity for Australia.
"Some have criticized Australia for its unreliable energy network, and some consumers see batteries as a way to ensure adequate supply.
Sydney resident Alan Jones was one of the first Australians to install Tesla Powerwall batteries at home in December 2015.
He sees this as a way to save electricity and ensure supply during power outages.
"Just power the fridge, the lights and the hot water system, the home will last four or five days," he told ABC . ".
"So it's worth investing if you don't want [a blackout]
It happened to you.
"You need some roof space, or some land that doesn't have trees and capital, maybe $10,000 or $15,000, and you might be spending money on a pool or a new car.
"Networks in most states and regions, including South Australia, are conducting battery trials to study the impact on their infrastructure.
As part of the trial, SA Power Networks can leverage the battery energy stored by customers when they need to manage network problems.
Energy Network AustraliaENA)
Australian chief executive John Bradley says the battery is "absolutely" part of Australia's future.
The feedback from the network running the battery test, he said, is that the technology works well.
"The technology is going on in a predictable way, and the real art will be how we set the right incentives to get the full value out of it," he said . ".
He said two of ENA's.
The annual study with CSIRO also found that customers can provide more than half the energy of conventional generators in the future.
"We can see that there are as many as 10 million participants in this small-scale market, all of whom are rewarded and paid for allowing their tech support grid, Mr Bradley said: "That means you have a more efficient grid, but a more stable one. ".
But before that, he said, the market needed to change significantly.
The Bill and the northern region, as well as the Adelaide City Council, are offering rebates for battery installation.
Topic: electricity-energy-and-
Utilities, industry, commerce-economics-and-
Alternative finance
Energy, environment, energy, scienceand-