From pv magazine Australia
In an Australian first, the state of Western Australia (WA) is on the path to legalize plug-in batteries and solar panels based on German standards.
The systems is well-known in parts of Europe and is becoming legalized in the US, and UK (though without storage), and known as plug-in solar plus storage or balcony solar. With strict limits on operation, the systems can plug directly into a standard household wall outlet generally without an electrician or license, offering clean energy and storage for homes and apartments unable to benefit from rooftop installations, and can also be moved when a resident changes address.
The WA Department of Energy and Economic Diversification (DEED) and the state’s Building and Energy Division are consulting on the proposed legalization pathway and a new technical standard.
The proposal would mean plug-in solar-plus-storage systems are classed as standard electrical appliances through a new Technical Bridging Standard (TBS). The standard proposes to enable plug-in systems with solar panel combinations up to a rated capacity of 2 kW (DC) and inverters up to a rated capacity of 800 VA (AC).
Notably for the residential storage market, the TBS does not propose to set an upper limit on plug-in battery storage capacity.
WA Energy and Decarbonisation Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson noted that the benefits of cheap solar and storage have previously been out of reach for anyone who does not own their roof.
“I’m proud that our State is leading the nation on this issue – millions of European households already use these systems every day, and WA families should be able to do the same,” Sanderson said.
Heidi Lee Douglas, chief executive officer of advocacy organization Solar Citizens, welcomed the move toward a nationally coordinated approach for the technology across Australia, noting that the devices are “already legally and safely available in the United Kingdom, Germany and 10 states of America.”
“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,” Douglas said.
According to the WA plug-in solar and batteries consultation website, state regulators will continue to work with safety experts, other states and territories, and the Australian federal government to support nationally consistent requirements for plug-in systems.
“For this reason, the final TBS is likely to have two separate parts, one each for product-specific requirements and another for installation requirements. This would make the TBS more consistent with AS/NZS [Australian/New Zealand Standard] technical documents,” the site says.
The department will also work on other regulatory changes that might be needed to support renter access to the plug-in solar and battery systems once they become available.
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