Australia Utility Ergon Energy Selects SunPower and Sunverge Energy for Residential Solar and Storage Program
SunPower and Sunverge Energy selected for Residential Solar and Storage Program
SAN JOSE— Australia’s Ergon Energy has signed a contract with SunPower and Sunverge Energy to supply solar power to 33 Queensland homes.
This is in line with the Government of Queensland’s call to have more than 50 % of its electricity generated from solar by 2030.
“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. We hope to create customer and network value by utilising energy resources located at the customer premises,” Ergon Energy Chief Executive Ian McLeod said. “This is an important step towards more efficient ways to run electricity networks and also towards giving customers greater choice and control in how they manage their electricity needs. We want to be at the forefront of these developments to increase customer service offerings and reduce investment into constrained areas of the network.”
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.
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, the most efficient and reliable panels on the market today, and Sunverge Solar Integration Systems (SIS). SIS include backup power capability and a 6-kilowatt inverter with 11.6 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy, on-board computing and cellular communications.
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.”
Ken Munson, co-founder and CEO of Sunverge Energy, said: “Because of its abundant sun and wind, Australia – where one in five homes use solar power – is a global leader in transforming the energy industry. With Sunverge SIS, utilities can deploy and collectively manage distributed renewable assets for improved grid efficiency and resiliency. We’re honored to be chosen by Ergon Energy to bring the social, environmental and financial benefits of solar storage to Queensland residents.”