The Government of Queensland commits to generate 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. To help achieve the goal, Queensland’s local utility Ergon Energy has contracted with SunPower to offer high efficiency PV solar power systems with energy storage technology from Sunverge Energy to 33 Queensland homes. This is Ergon Energy's first residential solar and storage project to be piloted in a limited release commercial offer.
Ergon Energy is looking to the future and partnering with SunPower and Sunverge to provide solar and battery systems as part of this trial due to the unique demand management features which allow stored power to be put back into the grid. Ergon Energy Retail will trial the hybrid energy systems with 33 customers in Toowoomba, Townsville and Cannonvale. SunPower will design and install the systems, which will include SunPower solar panels and Sunverge Solar Integration Systems (SIS). SIS includes backup power capability and a 6kW inverter with 11.6kWh of energy, on-board computing and cellular communications.
The project is being supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), which has contributed $AUD400,000 towards Ergon's approach to provide solar PV and battery storage systems to residential customers. All of the systems are expected to be installed and operational by the end of this year.
"We commend Ergon Energy for its leadership in offering customers innovative energy solutions, including high performance SunPower solar power systems and reliable Sunverge energy storage technology," said Tom Werner, president and CEO of SunPower. "This program gives participating homeowners a 'Smart Energy' solution that can deliver unprecedented levels of personalization, value and control, and will likely serve as a model for similar programs around the world."