Western Australian Minister for Energy, the Hon. Bill Johnston MLA, has today launched the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS), which introduces payments for energy exported to the grid from eligible home batteries and electric vehicles.
To support the uptake of batteries and electric vehicles, the State Government will extend buyback payments to export from these sources in the same way as rooftop solar.
The DEBS will apply to eligible households, schools and not-for-profits installing new solar panels or batteries, or upgrading their existing solar panel system (up to a five kilowatt maximum).
Under the new scheme:
- Electricity exported between 3 pm and 9 pm will earn 10 cents a kilowatt-hour (kWh); and
- Electricity exported at other times will earn 3c/kWh.
Until 6 November 2020, DEBS customers will receive the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS) to allow energy providers Synergy and Horizon Power to complete software and technical upgrades.
The McGowan Government said the new pricing better reflects the cost of electricity at different times of day, with the 10c provided during the greater demand period when wholesale cost of electricity is high.
The Government maintained that REBS customers will not be affected by these changes, unless they choose to switch to DEBS; install a battery which is not currently eligible for REBS; or upgrade their solar panel system.
“Western Australia is undergoing a massive energy transformation, with one in two households expected to have solar panels by 2030. This new scheme encourages households to make the most of their solar energy, when it is plentiful in the middle of the day, which not only benefits them but also supports the grid,” commented Minister Johnston this morning.
“It encourages households to install batteries and west-facing panels, which helps stretch solar generation into the afternoon-evening peak, extending the time to benefit from the sun’s rays.”
For more information, please visit https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/energy-policy-wa/household-renewable-energy-overview
