Participation Application Pack

A.  To participate in the Trial households must:

•   Have an active connection to the electricity network (i.e. you cannot be off grid);
•   Be connected to the southern Bruny feeder (you can check this at brunybatterytrial.org);
•   Be willing to install a subsidised battery system at the property;
•   Have, or be willing to install, a subsidised solar system at the property; and
•   Have, or be willing to connect to, a reliable always on, internet service.

Please refer to the Participation Application and Selection Fact Sheet for more information, including a map showing the eligible areas of Bruny Island.

A. Yes, however we will require signed agreements with both the homeowner and the tenant.

A. Yes, providing you meet all other eligibility criteria and commit to installing your battery system before your letter of offer expires.

A. Not unless you intend on connecting to the electricity network. You must have a connection to the electricity network to participate.

A. Yes, the subsidy will cover a portion of both the installation of solar and the battery system.

A. Yes, the subsidy can be used to upgrade an existing solar system and install the battery

A. We will request the battery to act to support the network using your internet connection. Similarly you will be provided data on how your system is operating and your energy usage using data acquired from the battery over the internet.

A. We require an internet connection that is active all the time, even when you are not home. This means that portable internet connections such as your mobile phone or ‘pocket Wi-Fi’ devices are not sufficient. If you do not currently have a permanent internet connection, you can still apply, but you will need to ensure it is connected before your battery system is installed.

A. Both permanent residences and holiday homes are eligible, providing all other criteria are met. The preference is for households that are occupied at least part-time (around 3 nights per week).

A. Business are not excluded from applying, however the first preference will be given to residences.

A. The Bruny Island Battery Trial Participation Application and Selection Fact Sheet will guide you through the application process.

A. We encourage everyone who is interested to apply. If you change your mind after applying, you are not obligated to proceed – even if we send a letter of offer to you, you may withdraw at any time prior to the system being installed at your property.

A. Applications close Friday 26 August 2016.

A. Eligible applications will be grouped in order of preference; with our first preference for households that are occupied for a minimum of three nights per week. If the number of applications received exceeds the number of spaces available, a ballot process will be conducted by an independent body. Should further spaces in the Trial become available after the initial offers are made, all previously unsuccessful applications will be considered as part of a second ballot.

A. We intend on sending out the first round of the letters in the beginning of September 2016. Should further spaces in the Trial become available after the initial offers are made, all previously unsuccessful applications will be considered as part of a second ballot.

If you are selected to participate in the Trial, you will receive a letter of offer including detailed information about what you will be required to do throughout the Trial and an agreement which will set out the terms and conditions of participating in the Trial should you choose to proceed. You will also receive a list of installers and instructions on how to access the subsidy and have your battery storage system installed. You can find more information about this process at www.brunybatterytrial.org

A. The amount of subsidy you get will depend on the type and size of the system you install. The subsidy will be capped at a maximum of $17,000 per household.

A. For an average household installing an average system, we expect that the payback period will be around 2 – 6 years. This will be highly variable, depending on each household’s particular circumstances and the system installed. You can discuss this with your installer to make sure you choose the system that is right for you. You will also be paid a network support payment whenever we use the electricity stored in your battery. We expect these payments to total approximately $30 to $150 per year.

A. You will pay your contribution to your system installer and you will need to discuss how you pay directly with them. Your required contribution will depend on the system you install. If you are selected and decide that you do not wish to proceed after discussing the options available to you with your installer, you are not obligated to continue with the installation. You may withdraw at any time prior to the system being installed at your property.

A. No, the subsidy will not cover rectifying substandard wiring. Your installer may be able to bring your wiring up to standard, however this will be at your cost.

A. A standard battery system will not supply your house during a blackout. Some battery systems do provide back-up in the event of power outages. You can discuss this with your installer, but this option is likely to increase the contribution you will be required to pay for your system.

A. No, the purpose of the batteries is to reduce the load during peak times and TasNetworks are unable to access any power stored in your battery during an outage. You may choose to install a battery that will allow you to supply your own house in the event of a power outage. This is not a standard function of most battery systems and you will need to talk to your installer if this is important for you.

A. Most standard residential batteries are smaller than a fridge. They may be indoor or outdoor approved. You can discuss the size and location of the batteries with your installer.

A. We will not maintain the solar or battery systems installed as part of this Trial. The subsidy is designed to assist you in purchasing and installing the system. You will own and be responsible for any ongoing maintenance of the system.

A. The Legacy Feed-in-Tariff expires on 31 December 2018. If you increase the capacity of your system (by installing additional solar generation) you will no longer be eligible for the legacy feed in tariff. If you simply install a battery (without additional solar generation) you may be able to retain your legacy feed in tariff in some cases. You will not make a financial return on your battery with the legacy feed in tariff as it works for you by exploiting differences between your retail and feed in tariff. With a battery you will also feed much less energy into the grid. You should carefully consider what you do if you are in this situation. Your installer will be able to assist you in making this decision.

A. Our recent condition assessment of the cables showed they were in good condition. There are plans in place to maintain supply to the island in the unlikely event that of a cable failing.

A. This is not currently an option; however Reposit Power may consider adding this option based on the number of customer requests.

A. You will receive the same feed-in tariff as any other customer in Tasmania. During periods of high demand we may pay a network support payment to access the power stored in your battery.