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As with other large purchases, solar PV systems, with optional battery storage, can be quite an investment and it is natural to look for a high return on investment (ROI) that will benefit you over a long period of time.

Installing solar is great for the environment but what happens to the solar equipment like panels, inverters and batteries, when they get damaged, stop working effectively or are at the end of their life? We can’t (and should not) just throw them in the bin for them to end up in landfill.

We made it through the year!

Our thoughts are with everyone and, at this time of year, we would like to show our gratitude and reflect on 20 positives 2020 delivered. Here is our list of 20 positives that we’d like to share with you.

Exciting news! EnergyAustralia plan to acquire 100% of Echo Group, trading as eko energy. This reinforces Echo Group’s position as a reliable, long term and stable partner for each and every one of our customers. 

Did you know that with more residential solar being installed, it is proving more difficult to get electricity distributor approval for residential solar systems to export surplus energy to the grid? Some distributors are not accepting any energy being fed back into the grid, restricting it to a level lower than the system can produce. 

There’s no doubt Australia is playing its part in embracing renewable energy and contributing to the fight against climate change. After all, we as a country did commit to the Paris Agreement. What we didn’t plan for…was the grid being overloaded and network distributors placing export limitations on residential solar systems. Thus, the debate started as to whether it’s fair that two houses side-by-side don’t have the same benefits of solar purely because of the date of installation. The reality is electricity was never meant to move in two directions.

Is your solar inverter tripping throughout the day and you have no idea why? We have been asked this question a lot lately from our customers. The good news is it isn’t the inverter that is causing the issue. It’s high grid voltage and it’s becoming an ongoing problem not just in Victoria, but across Australia.

It has been a devastating summer so far with bushfires wreaking havoc in Victoria and other States across Australia. However, there has been immense support from people and businesses all over the world, willing to donate money to organisations set-up to help those desperately in need.

It’s echoed across the country (around this time) each year that ‘summer blackouts’ are inevitable. Some of us choose to listen, whilst others simply shrug it off. The fact is, there has never been more evidence to suggest that the grid is working overtime. Not just in Western Australia and South Australia either, but right here in our backyard of Victoria.

eko energy have an extremely strong focus on health and safety in our office and on our work sites. We take safety seriously and, to that end, recently appointed a Health, Safety and Environment Manager, Travis Cameron and a Field Service Manager, Keith Aggus. 

The end of August is fast approaching, and with it, the second month of the Victorian solar battery rebate. While the solar rebate was quickly snatched up in record timing, the battery rebate remains open for applications and is a generous offer for eligible households.

The new financial year brings big changes and one of the most important changes are the Victorian Default Offer and the price cap in NSW, SA and south-east QLD.  

Solar Victoria have officially released all information regarding the solar rebates that will be on offer from 1st July 2019.

High voltage issues are often ignored or simply not even considered. However, if not managed properly, it can become an annoying problem for your household. In Australia, the normal grid voltage is between 225 and 240 Volts (V). Voltage levels will fluctuate during the day depending on how much power is being drawn from the grid, and how much solar is being sent back. It is up to the electricity distributor to monitor the voltage levels; however, it is becoming more difficult to keep voltage levels below 254V.

It's fair to say there's a little confusion surrounding the Victorian solar rebate. So, just to clarify, it has closed. However, the rebate will be re-opening from 1st July with even more on offer for Victorians - including:

1. The number of STCs being created is higher than the target set 

Following a decision not to progress a franchise model, Echo Group has moved away from the Jim's Energy brand, and has officially become ekoenergy.

Is residential energy storage right for you?

Quick battery storage checklist – is solar battery storage right for me?

1. Is your current electricity bill over $500 per quarter?
2. Is your roof suitable for solar?
3. Do you use most energy during peak times?
4. Are you worried about continuously rising electricity prices?
5. Are you in a regional area or impacted by blackouts?
6. Do you have a well-ventilated space in your house or garage to install a battery?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to three or more of the above, a solar battery storage system could make sense for you.

As you are probably aware, batteries alone do not produce electricity, they simply store and release it. So, your first step should be determining your suitability for residential solar, click here to read our guide. When choosing a solar provider, preference should be given to a Clean Energy Council (CEC) approved solar retailer that provides quality products, has a proven track record and dedication to customer service. Select a supplier who can offer both solar and battery storage solutions rather than trying to find a separate battery provider as most reputable companies will not retrofit a battery into an existing system they have not installed.

Learn more about residential solar systems and the solar PV options available through Eko Energy >

Already have a solar system installed?

Generally, we do not recommend battery storage for older solar PV systems less than 4kW as you may not be generating enough excess energy to store in a battery. However, if you know you are exporting the majority of your generation, a battery could still be a good option. It’s possible to replace your existing inverter with a battery-ready inverter or a hybrid battery-inverter, but we recommend speaking to an expert to fully understand your options. The cost of a battery system alone can be broken down into:

• The battery itself
• A battery-ready inverter to convert DC to AC power
• A battery management system to monitor and control charging and power dispatch
• Installation
• Maintenance

As with any major purchase, be wary of providers offering cheap battery options, they are likely to be too small, have limited warranties or hidden costs.

Types of batteries

• Lead Acid
• Lithium-Ion the most popular choice for on-grid battery storage
• Flow
• Sodium Nickle Chloride

Suitable consumption profiles

The primary purpose of installing a battery storage system is to store any excess energy produced by your solar system, instead of feeding it back into the grid. This allows you to use more stored energy at times throughout the day or night when your solar panels are not producing energy. If you use most energy during peak times (early morning or late afternoon), or export most of your solar generation, a battery could be a good option.

The benefits of investing in solar battery storage

As electricity prices continue to rise and with the current lack of policy certainty, Australians are looking to take back control of their energy usage and become less reliant on the grid. Solar battery storage systems are an excellent way to secure a lower electricity rate long-term, while reducing your carbon footprint.

Store excess energy

If you are on a time-varying rate, electricity will cost more during peak hours and less during the daytime when your solar panels are at their most productive. Therefore, you could benefit from a battery storage system to store electricity generated by your solar system during the day and use it during peak times mentioned above.

Understanding time-of-use (TOU) electricity rates and feed-in tariffs

From 1 July 2018, the Essential Services Commission (ESC) has announced that energy retailers in Victoria must offer at least one of two feed-in tariffs (FiTs):

• the time varying FiT and/or
• the single-rate FiT

You can see from this diagram that the average household will see consumption spikes first thing in the morning and again in the evening. These spikes are largely unaffected by solar generated during the middle of the day, using stored energy during the spikes makes a strong case for battery storage.

Understanding battery capacity

It's a common misconception that batteries can power an entire household. A typical battery can power household lighting and appliances (like your all important fridge and TV) but cannot power multiple air conditioning units or other high energy users like electric car chargers.

Prevent blackouts

With a standard solar system, you will still lose power during an outage because your panels are connected to the grid. However, when you add a battery, your home can use the solar energy stored in the event the grid goes down. Solar battery storage is more attractive than traditional diesel generators as they provide backup power without producing greenhouse gas emissions.

Reduce your carbon footprint

Going solar is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint and consumption of electricity generated by fossil fuels. A 5.4kWh solar system typically generates as much energy as it takes to drive 2 cars for a year or represents the carbon sequestered by over 250 trees grown for 10 years!

Our CEO, Erik & Project Coordinator, Jack at a Redback installation 

Financing solar battery storage and typical payback

Paybacks for solar and battery storage are different for every household and depend on your electricity usage over time, the price you pay for electricity and your system’s performance over and above the warranted specifications.

The good news is that batteries are now financially viable.

Eko Energy are offering an exclusive opportunity to finance a 6.4kW solar system + 4.8kWh Redback storage for as little as $29 net outgoings per month^.

 ^Terms and conditions apply. Based on 28 c/kWh electricity rate, 84 month finance term,  8% annual increase in electricity prices, 0.5% annual solar degradation rate, eligibility for the maximum Victorian Solar Homes subsidy and EnergyAustralia's PowerReponse program.

PLUS if the Victorian Labor party win November's election, there will be an additional subsidy of $4,838 for the first 10,000 households to install battery storage.

Eko Energy are making solar and battery storage affordable.

Make the most of our PowerResponse program and get $1,000 upfront discount for switching to EnergyAustralia plus an additional $120 per annum minimum over 3 years.

If you haven't already heard the news - the Victorian Government's Solar Home rebate applications are now open! You can now check your eligibility and apply to claim up to $2,225 off the cost of your solar system.

As you may be aware, the number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) you are able to claim for solar systems <99kW is set to decrease again by 6.5% on 1 January 2019.

If you didn't already know, STCs are a federal government subsidy that are set to be phased out by 2030.