Want to switch to solar power? Plenti and AGL are making it cheaper for Australians

If you’ve ever thought about switching to a green energy source but have been put off by the large upfront cost, now might be the time to reconsider.

In partnership with AGL, energy provider Plenti has announced a plan to make solar batteries more affordable for Australian customers.

Under this new program, customers who finance their new home battery through Plenti and connect to AGL’s Virtual Power Plant (VPP) can access subsidies of up to $1,500 depending on where they live.

In South Australia, the subsidy amounts to $1,500 and in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, it’s worth $1,000.

Cashing in on energy subsidies 

Some states already have government subsidies in place to encourage the implementation of green energy. In this instance, customers from these states will be able to claim the AGL VPP Battery Subsidy on top of the government subsidy.

This means that Victorian customers may be eligible for up to $4,500, while South Australian customers up to $3,500 off their upfront battery costs.

“We know the upfront costs of batteries are a significant barrier for households to adopt battery technology, and together we are delivering this solution to better overcome this hurdle and drive the update of battery systems in Australia,” says Plenti chief executive, Daniel Foggo.

Switching to solar for smarter energy use

Put simply, the partnership between Plenti and AGL has two intended outcomes: it encourages people to turn to solar batteries by making the switch cheaper, while those who sign up to AGL’s VPP join a growing network of homes with solar batteries that can help take pressure off the electricity grid when needed. This includes days when there’s high energy demand.

AGL Energy chief customer officer, Christine Corbett says that the partnership gives customers more options and, “empowers them to choose renewables at home and provides greater flexibility and affordability.”

Finally, customers who choose to go solar with AGL’s VPP program will not only benefit from a cleaner, more reliable energy system, but will also benefit from AGL’s solar feed-in tariff which may save them money on their energy bills.

If you want to learn more about solar energy, check out our solar energy guide.