The annual Queensland Household Energy Survey (QHES) undertaken by Powerlink Queensland, Ergon Energy and Energex (part of Energy Queensland) showed Queenslanders were continuing to adopt more energy-efficient behaviours, with the biggest shift coming from the installation of rooftop solar.
The percentage of Queensland households with solar installations is predicted to jump from 33 per cent to 48 per cent over the next three years, according to insights from the survey of 4500 customers.
It showed solar PV has increased 11-fold since 2009, with 33 per cent of our Queensland household with rooftop solar. This continued strong growth in rooftop solar PV installation is also the biggest influence on residents’ energy-efficient behaviours, with many adjusting timings for when they use appliances to get more value out of their system.
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The concern about electricity bills is at a three-year low and keeping downward pressure on prices is still a priority.
The continued decrease in the cost of new technologies is changing customer behaviour and how the energy system is used.
While battery storage systems are currently in less than one per cent of Queensland homes, investment in batteries will grow as their costs decrease. Nearly 30 per cent of Queensland households stated their intention to install a battery in their homes over the next 10 years.
A key insight from this year’s survey for Energy Queensland related to electric vehicles (EVs) and growing interest due to falling costs. Only about two per cent of Queenslanders say they own an EV, but once current models get closer to the $40,000 mark, it’s likely this market will open right up.
Those who already own EVs almost always charge their car at home, according to the latest survey. This is important information because it helps plan and operate the network for those peak times of day.
Read the Insights Report to find out more.
