Rewiring Australia calls for the 'right to plug in'

A new proposal from Rewiring Australia has advocated for the right of renters to plug in their own portable solar panels and batteries.

The idea forms part of Rewiring Australia’s submission to the NSW Government’s consultation on minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes. Alongside the ‘right to plug in’, suggested measures in the submission include minimum energy standards to help rental homes switch to electricity; mandatory energy performance disclosure in property ads; flexible finance and tax concessions for landlord upgrades; and gas bill reform so landlords pay fixed connection costs, as they already do for water.

Rewiring Australia CEO Francis Vierboom said the proposals are practical cost-of-living solutions to help close a fairness gap in the energy system.

“Currently we have an energy system where homeowners can slash their bills with solar, batteries and electric appliances while renters are left paying full price,” Vierboom said.

“That’s not fair or necessary, particularly because the technology already exists to fix it.”

Of the three in 10 Australians who rent, most are unable to install rooftop solar or batteries because they do not own their homes. Under these proposals, renters would be allowed to use approved plug-in devices — such as balcony solar systems, portable batteries and electric vehicle chargers — without requiring permanent changes to the property.

Vierboom made the point that similar plug-in technologies are already widely used overseas.

“In Europe and the United States, plug-in solar is taking off because it’s simple — you can buy it, plug it in, and start saving straight away,” he said.

“Australia is falling behind because our rules haven’t kept up with what’s now possible.”

Vierboom said that without action, many renters risked missing out on additional savings such as those from the Solar Sharer Offer, which provides at least three hours of free electricity in the middle of the day when solar generation is highest.

“Only 11% of rental homes have solar, compared to nearly 50% of owner-occupiers. If we’re serious about cost-of-living relief, we can’t keep ignoring them,” he said.

“This is a simple regulatory fix: update the standards, allow these devices, and make it clear landlords can’t unreasonably say no.”

Rewiring Australia said that as well as reducing bills for households, the changes would strengthen the energy grid by adding more distributed storage, shifting demand away from peak periods.

“This is one of those rare policies that’s good for families, good for the grid and good for the transition,” Vierboom said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Erdark