UK smart energy supplier Social Energy has begun it’s global expansion, offering a completely green energy package with an exclusive Duracell home solar battery system in Australia.
The solar and storage system will be managed by the company’s artificial intelligence platform and virtual power plant technology, saving Australian customers as much as $2,182 (approx. £1,200) in the first year.
Social Energy is offering customers who purchase and install solar panels and a battery a feed-in tariff of 40c (approx. £0.22) per kWh. This it says is unseen for almost a decade in the country, with customers set to receive this export tariff for the first 300kWh they export each quarter.
Following this there will be a secondary standard feed-in tariff, that is still higher than the average in the regions of New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland where the customer proposition is being launched.
Chris Parratt, managing director Australia, Social Energy, said the company was delighted to be rolling out in Australia as the “financial and environmental impact for people here is huge.”
“Our ground-breaking technology is a complete game changer for our users, making the combination of solar and battery storage offer better returns than solar on its own. It will support millions of homeowners in becoming more independent from the grid.
“Having been involved in some major steps forward in the Australian energy market, I’m extremely excited to be pioneering the next big leap – with an energy plan that finally makes batteries a sensible investment for Australian families.”
Social Energy has partnered with Duracell for the expansion, offering customers access to the impressive lithium-ion Duracell Energy Bank 2.
SolaX is also set to provide battery technology, with more battery suppliers to follow in early 2021.
The cost of the system, combining solar panels, a battery and Social Energy install is approximately $12,000 (approx. £6600) for a 6.6kWp tier 1 solar installation and an 11.6kWh SolaX battery system, connected with a Social Energy Hub. There are finance packages and government grants available additionally, to help homeowners who may be interested.
Australia is seeing long-term sustainable growth in the solar sector, with around 23,000 new residential installations each month, quickly expanding the 2.5 million homes that already have a solar system.
The expansion is Social Energy’s first move outside the UK market, where it recently became the first ever fully domestic weekly Firm Frequency Response contract with National Grid ESO.
Elsewhere it is working with the DNO UK Power Networks to develop a smart grid, offering customers batteries as part of a new trial in London, the South East and East of England.