During our recent annual Noosa MP Community Survey, some residents raised the need for increased subsidised rooftop solar, as well the promotion of bidirectional charging and community batteries to store excess solar energy. Following our enquiries, the Queensland Treasurer provided the below information in italics on the current strategies being pursued.
Regarding rooftop solar, the government has announced and is developing its Supercharged Solar for Renters program.
Regarding community batteries and bidirectional charging, the government is trialling options to best support integration across the energy network.
This includes activities like Energy Queensland Limited’s Neighbourhood Battery Trial in the Ipswich region in collaboration with retailer Origin Energy.
In addition, the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council has endorsed the National Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Roadmap. The roadmap sets out an overarching vision and plan to unlock the full potential of CER at scale.
The roadmap includes extensive priority reforms to enable the coordination of CER to help lower costs for all consumers.
Implementation of priority reforms span four workstreams – consumers, technology, markets and power system operations – and includes a focus on nationally consistent standards (such as Vehicle to Grid technologies), consumer literacy and protections, network reforms and consideration of other opportunities, such as innovative market offerings and tariff structures, to enable greater benefits from CER.
We would appreciate any feedback on the above information to further inform our advocacy in this space. Please email our office via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Further information
For Sandy’s previous advocacy regarding solar power and storage, visit https://www.sandybolton.com/?s=solar.
For further information on installing solar power for your home, visit https://www.qld.gov.au/housing/buying-owning-home/energy-water-home/solar.
For further information on community batteries, including the Ipswich Neighbourhood Battery Trial, visit https://www.energex.com.au/our-network/our-network-batteries/community-batteries.
For further information on the National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap, visit https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-07/national-consumer-energy-resources-roadmap.pdf.
For direct advocacy regarding matters related to the Queensland Treasury, contact the Queensland Treasurer via treasurer@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.
For the full results of the recent Noosa MP Community Survey, please visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa-mp-community-survey-results-2024-2025/.
Updates on many local matters are available on Noosa 360 at www.sandybolton.com/noosa360. To receive information straight to your email inbox, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter via www.sandybolton.com/newsletters. This also ensures you receive any future Noosa related surveys or polls.