Donvale couple Breanna and Ben, pictured with their young family, have been hit with big solar bills despite investing in rooftop solar.
A Melbourne family hit by a 400 per cent increase in its electricity bills has warned of the pitfalls of investing in solar power without a battery.
Donvale couple Breanna and Ben installed a 13kW solar system when they built their new home five years ago to future proof against surging power costs.
But with the removal of minimum solar feed-in tariffs last year, they’ve been shocked to see their monthly bill jump from a maximum of $90 to more than $450.
RELATED: How Aussie dad cut power bill to $0
How to cut hundreds from your power bill ahead of winter
Influencer shock home bill stuns Gen Z
They took advantage of Victorian government rebates and loans to install rooftop solar, based on calculations that their system would pay for itself within eight years.
The family has since put in a swimming pool, but Breanna said that alone did not account for their surging bills.
“In that time since we built electricity prices have skyrocketed and I have just been watching the tariffs go down and down,” she said.
“The electricity bill is just ridiculous and I don’t see any tangible difference in having solar and I feel it’s a bit wasted.
“We effectively need a battery to warrant all the investment we have made.”
She said the complexities around choosing the right battery and energy retailer only compounded the problem.
“On my actual electricity bill it says you could be saving $3000 a year on a cheaper plan but I keep wanting to get a battery and I don’t want to change my plan until I get a battery because I’m overwhelmed,” she said.
Compare the Market economic director David Koch encourages consumers to shop around.
Compare the Market’s economic director David Koch said the case was a timely reminder that shopping around could be a game-changer for cash-strapped households.
“It’s not surprising that busy, working parents struggle to find time to go through their bills but failing to do so could be costing them hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars,” Mr Koch said.
“In many cases, potential savings could be hiding right under their noses.”
He said recent figures from the ACCC suggested people who had been on the same energy plan for three years or more paid an average of $221 than those on new plans.
“Right now, there are electricity plans with up to 22 per cent of the benchmark price in Victoria so making a switch could make a meaningful difference,” he said.
VoltX Energy chief operating officer David Sedighi.
VoltX Energy chief operating officer David Sedighi said Australian households were increasing looking to batteries to reduce costs, with a 28kW system hitting the sweet spot for affordability.
The company recently expanded into Victoria amid an anticipated surge in demand.
“When it comes to solar and the uptake of home batteries, it’s true that Victoria is lagging behind the other states and territories with data showing just 31 per cent of properties have installed solar, compared to the national average of 40 per cent,” Mr Sedighi said.
“However, we expect in the next 12 months that Victorians will embrace solar and home battery systems more fully as energy costs continue to balloon.”
Help us improve your reading experience
Got a minute? Your feedback will help us build a better experience for you.
Help us improve this page
English (US) · 