Cutting Red Tape For Solar And Energy Storage In New South Wales

Image via DPIE

The New South Wales Government wants to make it easier to install battery storage and commercial-scale solar energy systems – and is inviting feedback on proposed planning policy changes.

Under the NSW planning system, renewable electricity infrastructure development is governed primarily by the State Environmental Planning Policy (Infrastructure) 2007 (Infrastructure SEPP).

Currently, batteries are not explicitly addressed in the NSW planning system and solar energy technology has evolved since the SEPP was first implemented. For example, back in 2007 solar panels installed on rooftops were under 200 watts capacity each and these days 300+ watts is common in installations. We’re able to produce far more electricity from a much smaller area; i.e less what’s termed “environmental footprint”.

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment recognises the SEPP needs to catch up with the times in relation to residential/commercial solar power and energy storage. Among the changes to the Infrastructure SEPP proposed by the DPIE:

• Amending the definition of electricity generating works and transmission networks to include electricity storage.
• Remove the capacity thresholds for exempt (10kW) and complying development (10kW – 100kW) and have all solar energy systems being developed under the exempt development planning approval pathway.
• In terms of systems above 100kW in residential zones or installed by or on behalf of a public authority on any land, protection against inappropriately large developments would be via existing assessment processes undertaken by planning authorities.
• Provide for the exempt development of electricity storage associated with a solar energy system.

“Our planning system needs to keep pace with changing technology and community expectations,” said Executive Director of Planning Policy Luke Walton. “If we can make it easier for people to install cost-saving electricity infrastructure then we should do so.”

More on the proposed changes can be read here.

The Department is inviting feedback on the proposed changes from all interested parties until 30 October 2019. Submissions can be made by completing the form at the bottom of this page.

Battery And Solar + Storage Loans On Their Way

On a related note, the New South Wales’ Government Empowering Homes Program isn’t all that far off.

The initiative will seek to support the installation of up to 300,000 solar-battery systems across the state over a decade. But this isn’t a “free money” affair – instead, interest-free loans of up to $9,000 for a battery system or up to $14,000 for a solar-battery system will be available.

Given the performance of interest-free loan programs for battery storage elsewhere to date, perhaps the NSW Government may be little optimistic regarding initial uptake. But when battery systems eventually reduce in price to the point they’ll pay for themselves during their warranty period, then uptake should accelerate.

At this point it’s expected the Empowering Homes Program will kick off in December, or early next year.