Cost zaps solar battery uptake

HOME batteries are the latest electricity buzzwords, but an industry conference yesterday heard high prices and consumer concerns are among barriers to the devices’ rapid adoption.

These barriers could fall with technology costs reducing over time, a green loans-style scheme or a government hub for information, the Queensland Energy Storage Summit was told.

Queensland has 425,000 households connected to solar energy. But Australiawide there were 6750 solar power storage installations in 2016 and potentially 20,000 in 2017. Installing batteries, panels and related devices could cost $11,000 to $20,000.