The renewables industry is an echo chamber, and rightly so. Countless Aussies and experts abroad are working together towards a common goal: decarbonising the grid. Step outside of this chamber, and it’s quite clear that Australians are firmly split into two camps: the want and the want-nots. 125,000 homes have installed batteries since the Cheaper Home Batteries Program sprang to life on 1 July. They joined the 271,000 homes already with home energy storage. While 400,000 homes sporting technology that saves them money while supporting the grid is nothing to scoff at, it’s only 3.5% of the almost 11 million dwellings in Australia.
Almost 40% of homes now have solar on the roof, but electric vehicle and battery adoption has been much slower off the mark. Let’s look at the divide and why many Aussies are waiting, or refusing, to take the leap.
Money, money, money
There’s no prize for guessing that money is the largest driving factor behind and against renewables adoption. Way back in the early noughties, when solar technology started gaining steam, it was those with some disposable income who invested and swiftly made their money back. It is the disposable income cohort that largely purchased electric vehicles and even home batteries as they entered the Aussie market. Then there are the savvy investors who see the financial benefit of renewable energy tech. They may not be cashed up and may even use financing or loans, but they see the potential for quick returns.
Finally, some simply cannot afford to replace their vehicle with a slightly more expensive electric alternative. Home energy storage, even with the generous federal rebates, is still too large an investment. Solar on the home, whilst vastly cheaper now than ever before, still requires an investment in the thousands. In a time where the cost of living has reached crisis level, renewables are often viewed as a luxury.
Lack of faith in the technology
The high feed-in tariffs enjoyed by early solar adopters have long since disappeared. Those who have invested and who are not home during the day to benefit sometimes cry foul of solar. Distributors will now cap solar exports, further limiting the potential to make money from feeding into the grid. Electric vehicles require topping up occasionally or access to regular chargers for cross-country trips. The thought of being tethered for longer than the couple of minutes it takes to fuel up at the bowser is unpalatable for many. Then comes home energy storage. For years, batteries have not been a financial sure thing. The ROI was 14-18 years when the first Tesla Powerwall hit our shores.
Fears of fires, a misunderstanding of how solar works, and perceived inconvenience and poor returns on investment have all been reasons for many to avoid renewable energy tech.
The solar industry has been fraught with scammers for decades. Dodgy installers, subpar components, and a mostly unregulated industry have seen thousands of Aussies scammed out of their hard-earned money. Once bitten, twice shy – those who have been taken for a ride are understandably wary of the industry and will often share their experiences with others, further solidifying negative attitudes toward the industry.
Misinformation and negative press are a major barrier for the industry. You would think that electric vehicles are burning at every intersection, given the way they are reported in Australia. The truth has rarely stood in the way of a good story, and political parties and their media arms are usually to blame for the pervasive negative image.
The reality of solar, batteries, EVs, and more is that they face the barrier of politicisation. When mandates are created and perceived inconveniences and costs are involved, negative reactions are expected. Victorians love their gas, so removing it as an option for new estates has been met with widespread panning. Incentivising the uptake of heat pumps and solar hot water systems has done little to change the mindset that ‘gas/electric is best’. And it’s little wonder why, when ‘choice’ is replaced with mandates.
Change is a difficult pill to swallow
We love our plastic straws, plastic bags, gas cooking, and petrol cars. The alternative is often subpar, inconvenient, and costly. But we’ve all slowly become accustomed to bringing our reusable bags. Those who have made the switch will usually praise the ease, convenience, and cost savings associated with induction cooktops and electric vehicles. It’s not until you’ve embraced it that you can see the flip side. You can start to see the waste and the cost of the items you replaced.
I will die on the plastic straw hill, however. There must be a better alternative to paper straws?!
The case for renewables
Solar
Solar remains the easiest and most cost-effective way for households to slash their bills. Even if your feed-in tariff is zero, shifting your daytime usage gives you instant savings because every kilowatt you produce is one you don’t buy at 24 to 45c per kilowatt hour. Modern panels are cheaper, stronger, and more efficient than anything from the early noughties, so most homes see a fast payback. With a reputable installer and quality gear, solar is a rock-solid investment for almost every Aussie home.
Home batteries
If the budget allows, a home battery can be a genuine game changer. The federal rebate takes a big chunk out of the upfront cost, and when you combine smart system design with high solar generation, you can shave years off your return. Batteries provide blackout protection and can earn extra income through wholesale energy trading platforms such as Amber Electric. The key is to work with your installer to size and configure the system so you hit payback in under ten years, which many homes can now achieve.
Electric vehicles
EVs are sprinting ahead in range, charging speed, and affordability. Some new models can travel more than 1,000 kilometres on a single charge, giving long-range drivers peace of mind. For most Aussies who can charge at home, the convenience is unmatched because you wake up with a full battery every morning. Prices continue to drop and are fast levelling with petrol and diesel cars. Whether you care about emissions or not, fewer fuel stops and lower running costs are hard to ignore.
Heat pumps
Heat pumps are one of the quiet achievers in the clean energy space. Replacing gas or old electric hot water systems with a heat pump can halve or even quarter your energy use for hot water, which is often the biggest energy draw in the home. They work efficiently in most Aussie climates and pair perfectly with solar because they can run when the sun is high. Upfront cost can be a sticking point, but rebates and lower running costs make them a smart long-term upgrade.
LED lighting and smart efficiency tech
LEDs might not be glamorous, but they deliver instant results. Replacing old halogens or CFLs slashes your lighting costs and reduces heat in the home. Add smart timers, power boards, and energy-efficient appliances, and you create a home that wastes less and saves more. For households wanting a first step into renewables without the big spend, these quick wins build confidence fast.
The final word
There are very few fence sitters, and if you have been teetering on the edge of decision, then it likely has come down to opportunity/finance rather than ideology. It is the ideological chasm in Australia that will see so many Aussies remain renewable energy tech-less into the next decade.
Whether you believe in anthropogenic (man-made) climate change or not, or that Australia should use gas or not, or that you should reduce your carbon footprint or not, is completely irrelevant. Renewable energy tech can save you money – we know tens of thousands of Aussies who can attest to this. So you don’t have to be an environmentalist, a hippy, a tree-hugger, or someone who likes wearing hemp to adopt renewable energy tech. If you like to see more money in your pocket, then solar, batteries, EVs, heat pumps, LED lights, and other tech are for YOU. Take the leap, you won’t regret it.
