New energy product rewards customers while stabilising the grid
As announced by the Western Australian Government: Sunny savings for rooftop solar homes
A new initiative rewarding Synergy customers for helping stabilise the electricity grid has had an overwhelming public response.
Solar Rewards went live on October 1 and allows households to unlock more value from their rooftop solar system while providing stability to the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
Customers receive a $100 credit toward their energy bill and a credit to cover the cost of electricity consumed during a Solar Rewards event.
More than 2600 Synergy customers signed up for Solar Rewards during a targeted campaign, with many more joining the waitlist.
Solar Rewards gives Synergy the option to temporarily turn off participating households’ rooftop solar when electricity demand is low, and instead providing no cost energy to the home straight from the grid.
The initiative assists in maintaining the stability of the SWIS when the supply of electricity generated by rooftop solar is high but demand is low. Referred to as a low load event, this typically occurs in the middle of the day in Spring and Autumn.
To be eligible for Solar Rewards, Synergy customers need to have a rooftop solar system with an inverter capacity of 5kW or less and the capability to be remotely turned off.
Plico Energy is providing additional support through its community of 1600 plus solar and battery customers via its virtual power plant.
The Solar Rewards initiative will help reduce the need for Emergency Solar Management (ESM). ESM is where rooftop solar systems are turned off remotely as a last resort measure to protect the SWIS during extreme low load events.
For more information and to join the waitlist for similar opportunities in the future visit: Solar Rewards.
Comments attributed to Energy Minister Bill Johnston:
"Solar Rewards is a win-win initiative and I'm not surprised it's so popular.
"Participating Synergy customers can save money on their energy bill while also helping maintain the stability of the grid.
"Solar Rewards is one of many ways the Cook Government is providing a more sustainable, affordable and reliable energy future for Western Australians."