Solar Citizens congratulates the Western Australian government on its announcement that they are starting the process to make plug-in solar and batteries available in that state.
Solar Citizens CEO Heidi Lee Douglas says:
“We agree with Western Australian Premier Cook that it isn’t fair that the benefits of cheap solar are out of reach for anyone who doesn’t own their roof, and welcome his commitment to make plug-in solar and batteries legally available as soon as possible in that state.
“Solar Citizens has been working with Governments and technical experts to ensure this money saving solar technology becomes safely available across Australia by 1st of July 2027.
“WA’s announcement starts a ‘race to the top’, and puts a rocket up the need for the federal government to announce a nationally coordinated approach for the release of this money saving technology across Australia by July next year”
“We support the Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announcing a date for the legal safe sale of these money saving devices that are already legally and safely available in the United Kingdom, Germany and 10 states of America.
“All Australians deserve to save money on power by harnessing the sun. We look forward to renters, apartment dwellers and low income homes being able to plug-in, switch-on and save, save, save,” said Ms Douglas.
“Plug-in solar and batteries are an anti-inflationary energy reform. They put downward pressure on household electricity bills, allow more Australians to use cheap solar power, and can reduce demand for expensive electricity during peak periods. At scale, these technologies could help lower energy system costs for everyone, not just those who own them.
“Australia has already demonstrated the benefits of rooftop solar and home batteries. Now it's time to extend those savings to renters and apartment residents.
“Plug-in solar and batteries are both an equity reform and a productivity reform: they help households spend less on an essential service while making better use of Australia's abundant low-cost solar energy.”
“The evidence is clear: batteries and solar are helping drive down electricity costs for everyone. AEMO's latest figures show wholesale electricity prices fell 27 per cent compared with the same quarter last year, while batteries supplied 8 per cent of evening peak electricity, overtaking gas.
“Plug-in solar and batteries are the next frontier. By making cheap solar power accessible to renters, apartment residents and low-income households, we can help more Australians cut their bills, reduce expensive peak demand and put further downward pressure on wholesale electricity prices.
Solar Citizens’ Expert Advisers Glen Morris and Wayne Smith, are available for interviews from the All-Energy Conference at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, where plug-in solar and battery products are on display.
Solar Citizens is holding a national webinar next Thursday 5 November with Hon. Minister Chris Bowen and technical experts to explore and explain how plug-in solar and batteries can become legal in Australia.
Expert View
Solar and battery engineer Glen Morris, Director of Smart Energy Lab and a member of the Standards Australia committees that write the solar and battery installation rules:
"The path to safe plug-in solar is not complicated. Germany has had over a million of these systems plugged in for years and the UK has just written the rules into its wiring regulations. We do not need to
invent anything. We need a product standard so the inverter shuts down instantly when unplugged, a cap of around 800 watts so it cannot overload a normal power circuit, and a simple registration with the network so they know it is there. That is a job for the Energy Ministers to hand to the regulators with a deadline."
“None of the concerns raised about plug-in solar needs new technology, they need a rule that says what is acceptable."
Read Glen Morris article on Plug-in Solar regulations and how to make it legal in Australia in Renew Economy
Media Release: Australia will get Plug-in Solar, 11 September 2026