solar power for rent: electricity companies offer solar, battery technology for lease - commercial energy storage systems
In order to retain customers and reduce their own costs, power companies have provided rental of solar and battery systems.
Battery technology is called the next "big phenomenon" by energy analysts"
But the installation is too expensive for most people.
But John Grimes of the Energy Storage Association says power companies are trying to adapt.
"This will happen and it will be a big phenomenon," Mr Grimes said . ".
"So they need to research and learn about the technology and understand how they interact and how they can make money by embracing the technology instead of resisting it.
"As part of the Ergon Energy commercial trial, hybrid solar and battery power generation systems will be installed in 33 regional households in Queensland.
Sunverge will provide battery and software for the trial.
"Customers Benefit, retailers benefit, grid operators benefit because they are able to delay capital investments and get better use of their assets for longer periods of time," said Philip Keogan, sunverge spokesman.
Ian McLeod, chief executive of Elgen Energy, said the battery would help the company, which costs $2.
2 million in trials, it costs less to upgrade the power network because it can get power from them to help meet peak demand.
"We do believe that this is one of the key solutions we have to address network constraints and can reduce our investment," Mr McLeod said . ".
But Ergon also wants to make sure it doesn't get left when the battery gets cheaper.
"We know the cost of the battery is going down," Mr McLeod said . ".
"We know some price paths and some different chemicals, so it's all about getting ready at a reasonable price.
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)
Ivor Frischknecht, who also supports the trial, said that power companies need to change their business as people adopt renewable energy and reduce electricity consumption.
"They just want to buy less electronics and buy less energy from traditional power companies, so by participating in the game, by actually selling the battery, by leasing the battery to the end user, by installing solar panels in people's homes, Frischknecht said: "These retailers and networks can be part of the future in a larger way. ".
According to renewable energy advocates, battery technology will mean the end of the grid and existing power companies.
But the electricity industry says that if power companies change their business model, the grid can help people get the cheapest power and even trade their own.
"Our network is the only thing that connects all customers and resources together," Mr McLeod said . ".
"So whether the cheapest resource is from the sun, or from a local tip or sugar factory, or on the way from a central generator, or in your neighborhood, what connects all this is the grid. "Topics:solar-
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