Solar energy arrives in store
Retailers are diving in to the solar power market amid booming interest in household renewables.
Solar panels and batteries are moving to the main street as Aldi becomes the latest retailer to roll out home energy solutions in Australia.
Aldi announced it was expanding its home solar and battery offerings to households across NSW, Queensland, Victoria and the ACT, becoming the latest major retailer to step into the residential renewables market.
The move follows what it described as a successful trial in Victoria and will see Aldi continue its partnership with energy provider Tempo to deliver the service.
This expansion aligns Aldi with other retail giants that have recently turned their attention to residential energy. Ikea began offering solar and battery products in 2020 in partnership with Solargain while Bunnings entered the space in July this year, trialling a solar and battery subscription model in Sydney and Newcastle, created to bring down upfront costs for homeowners.
"Bringing Aldi Solar to more Aussies along the Eastern Seaboard is an exciting step for us, expanding our commitment to delivering incredible quality and affordability beyond groceries."
Like Aldi, both brands are seeking to capitalise on the increasing interest in home renewables, recently boosted by a federal government battery subsidy scheme which promises to slash the cost of adding battery power storage to solar panels.
The environmental case for widespread solar deployment has been highlighted this week with the Australian government's first official climate risk assessment delivering grim tidings related to the likelihood of rising temperatures and the extreme impacts these would generate nationwide.
"Australia’s climate is changing and will continue to change into the future," the report says. "The country is likely to experience more intense and extreme climate hazards, and in some cases in areas where people and places haven’t experienced these hazards before."
In addition to slashing power bills, homeowners adopting solar and battery technology are also reducing Australia’s dependence on fossil fuels, note renewable energy advocates.
Aldi says its solar offering is designed to make rooftop solar and batteries more accessible to customers by offering "all-inclusive, upfront pricing" for packages starting from $6,999, with the first installations due to begin in November.
“Bringing Aldi Solar to more Aussies along the Eastern Seaboard is an exciting step for us, expanding our commitment to delivering incredible quality and affordability beyond groceries,” Aldi Australia’s group director Simon Padovani-Ginies said.
- Aldi’s packages include a 6.6kW solar system and a 5.5kW inverter, with two battery capacity options and an optional blackout protection feature offered as an all-inclusive solution.
- Bunnings' ‘Zelora' solar offering allows customers to buy and install solar energy and battery packages managed through a subscription to reduce upfront costs.
- Ikea's SOLSTRÅLE solar solution bundles components and installation services, including a custom design for the roof that includes solar panels, inverters and mounting systems, with an option to add a battery.
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