Synergy solar boost for WA’s social housing
Synergy is helping social housing tenants across WA harness the power of renewable energy, enabling them to better manage their energy consumption and save on their household bills.
As part of the Future Communities Plan, Synergy will install, own and maintain rooftop solar PV systems on ten Department of Communities (DoC) housing sites across the South West Interconnected System (SWIS).
The plan enables tenants to access the energy savings that solar can provide, and helps Synergy explore how to create more value for energy system security and sustainability.
Around 500 social housing properties will benefit from the solar panels, with residents expected to save up to 20 per cent on their annual household bills.
Tenants will also have access to a discounted off-peak rate for electricity consumed during peak generation times (9am to 3pm daily), reflecting the benefits of solar energy.
Synergy CEO Jason Waters said the plan makes renewable energy technologies more accessible for the broader WA community.
“Our energy sector is going through a period of significant transformation, with the increased uptake of technologies such as solar PV, batteries and electric vehicles,” Mr Waters said.
“Western Australians are taking up rooftop solar at a rapid rate, with one in two customers in the SWIS expected to have panels by 2030. This trend has largely excluded renters, who could truly benefit from cost savings.”
Along with helping residents better manage their energy consumption and lower their household bills, Mr Waters said the pilot will explore opportunities to benefit the wider energy system.
“The Future Communities Plan makes solar energy more accessible and affordable. It enables social housing residents to benefit from cost savings, and provides the opportunity to further integrate solar into our energy system to provide balance.”
The ten solar PV systems will be installed by Christmas at various DoC housing sites in Clarkson, Ellenbrook, Girrawheen, Gosnells and Rockingham.
The Future Communities Plan forms a significant part of Synergy’s contribution to the State Government’s Distributed Energy Resources Roadmap.