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Household solar cuts power bills, anxiety

Marion RaeAAP
Some 42 per cent of solar owners say they save more than 70 per cent off their electricity bills. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
Camera IconSome 42 per cent of solar owners say they save more than 70 per cent off their electricity bills. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP

Households with rooftop solar are enjoying massive reductions in power bills, a nationwide survey shows.

Those without the clean energy solution, on the other hand, were much more likely to be significantly concerned about rising electricity prices, the research commissioned by community-based organisation Solar Citizens found.

"At the moment, high global coal and gas prices are driving power bills through the roof," Stephanie Gray, deputy director at Solar Citizens told AAP.

"The only guaranteed way for households to shield themselves and bring down their electricity bills is to generate their own power."

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Some 42 per cent of solar owners say they save more than 70 per cent off their electricity bills, or are usually in credit.

A further 20 per cent had power bills cut in half by switching to solar.

"We're also hearing that many people are looking to electrify their household and get off the gas network to untie themselves from spiralling gas prices," Ms Gray said.

Some 41 per cent of those who had gas in their households said they would switch to electric alternatives helped by a government subsidy, according to the survey of 1700 Australians.

Federal, state and territory energy ministers met on Friday and agreed to shore up the gas supply.

They also agreed to include emissions-reduction in national energy laws, in the first update to the objectives in 15 years, to support the expansion of renewable energy, transmission and energy storage.

Solar Citizens wants the federal government to add a renewable energy storage target to help more households utilise their cheap solar energy around the clock.

"This would be good news for the grid and help bring down prices for everyone," Ms Gray said.

Close to 85 per cent of solar owners surveyed who do not currently have a battery are looking to purchase one in the next three years.

The cost of battery energy storage is still seen as a major barrier but more than a quarter (26 per cent) say a government subsidy of at least $3000-$4000 would be enough to get them over the line.

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