And let's be honest, we already know the power companies and businesses do not pass on savings to the consumer and will just keep it all to boost profits. I would much rather solar directly benefits households, no matter how little it may be.

[+] Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz -7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The policy says the rebate is for a battery as well.

How very environmentally friendly, the process to make any battery is absolutely filthy.

It's far better to use that power as it's made, or use something like grid scale pumped hydro.

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It's slowly improving and will only get better with the popularity of EV's. Even LiFePO4 batteries are considered much more environmentally friendly than previous tech. I got a quote a few months ago for solar + battery and that already included LiFePO4 battery storage.

The tech won't improve unless there's uptake and demand, which is starting to increase now. Australia has had subsidies for solar installation for a while now and costs for rooftop PV there are some of the lowest.

It's up to you if you want to trust the power companies, but in the 5 or so years of living in this house our power prices have only ever increased.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz -2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Still far from ideal from an environmental perspective, when the alternative is the power being used in the same building that is generating it.

I just don't think this is a cost effective policy myself

[–] eagleeyedtiger@lemmy.nz 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ideally we should incentivize both residential and commercial installations.

[–] Ilovethebomb@lemmy.nz -3 points 1 year ago

Ideally, yes. We certainly shouldn't be incentivising house batteries though.