Ownership

I benefit from the energy transition

Explore Ownership:

Objectives

Those of us who own solar panels and batteries are not only consumers, we can supply energy and provide system security services. Those of us who can shift our energy use to off-peak periods can take pressure off the grid. These contributions mean less investment is needed in building out the network – saving all of us money. We think these contributions should be valued fairly. But, we also think that people who cannot participate in these ways shouldn’t be punished. We need a system that is designed for diversity, and offers services, tools and rewards that suit different motivations, ability and opportunities.

Whether it’s online advertising for dodgy heat pumps, rumours in group chats about smart meters spying on people, or claims that offshore wind farms kill whales, Australians are being fed a daily diet of misinformation about the energy transition. And the more cynical it makes us, the less likely we are to participate in the energy transition, even if we could benefit from it. We all deserve to be protected from fearmongering and falsehoods - and told the truth. ECA will do our bit to help households and small businesses find information they can trust.

Some of us face a range of barriers to investing in and accessing consumer energy resources – and those barriers go beyond our income levels. There are numerous rules that prevent people installing solar panels and batteries, for example heritage regulations. People in apartment buildings or strata schemes often can’t invest in them, nor can businesses in shopping centres, while renters face the simple issue that solar panels aren’t transportable if they move. We need to address these barriers so everyone can access and benefit from investing in these products.

Those of us who rent or live in social or community housing can’t easily make our homes all-electric. For the energy transition to be successful and provide benefits to those who need them most, we need to see targeted supports for people most at risk of being left behind. Governments are increasing their investment in new social housing, but the homes people are living in now also need to be upgraded. Perhaps surprisingly, many small businesses also fall into this category, particularly those in embedded networks.

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Showing 1 - 9 of 49 results
Illustration of young girl reading book outside house
Grants Archive
12 June 2025
Enabling community shared ownership (CSO) of large-scale renewable energy assets to advance social equity outcomes for disadvantaged energy consumers
This grant was awarded to Community Power Agency.
Grants Archive
12 June 2025
Electrification Accelerator: A community-led approach to making electrification faster, fairer and better
A grant was allocated to Rewiring Australia.
Photo of a blue sign against a blue sky with 'electric vehicle' written on it, in front of a street sign saying 'Franklin St'
Submission
12 June 2025
2 min read
Submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) on CPU’s ring-fencing waiver application for providing kerbside EV charging infrastructure
Our submission to the Australian Energy Regulator (AER), relating to CitiPower, Powercor, and United Energy’s (CPU) ring-fencing waiver application for providing kerbside electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Photograph of rooftops in a rural Victorian neighbourhood, with gum trees in the background. The rooftop in the foreground has solar panels on it.
Research
12 June 2025
2 min read
Report: Opportunities for CER participation in wholesale markets and grid services
Our new report, commissioned with Rennie Advisory, shows how international solutions can lower electricity prices and energy system costs, through better integrating Consumer Energy Resources (CER), like household solar and batteries, and demand response into our National Electricity Market (NEM).
Photo of a person with a solar panel, standing on a ladder. They are going to install the solar panel on a rooftop.
News
12 June 2025
2 min read
National body needed to unlock CER benefits
Media release: A new expert report has recommended a dedicated and enduring national body is needed to oversee the coordination of the role of consumer energy resources (CER) in the national energy market (NEM), including household solar and batteries, to help lower electricity prices and energy system costs.
Photo of a parking spot for an electric vehicle with painted sign, 'EV Charging Only'.
Submission
02 May 2025
2 min read
Submission to the Legislative Assembly Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on its Inquiry into infrastructure for electric and alternative source vehicles in NSW
Our submission to the Inquiry into infrastructure for electric and alternative source vehicles in New South Wales (NSW).
Photo of a woman looking at a laptop and smiling. She is inside a house with a child in the background near to a beige couch. There is a box of highlighters in shot next to her laptop.
Submission
31 March 2025
2 min read
Submission to the SA Department for Energy and Mining on the Retailer Energy Productivity Scheme 2026-2030 Consultation
Our submission advocates for reforms that support low-income households, small businesses, First Nations communities, and renters.
Couple standing in front of home with solar panels
04 March 2025
Consumer Energy Report Card
Access data and insights from the Consumer Energy Report card, our comprehensive research and analysis project, which reveals the attitudes and behaviours of thousands of Australian households and small businesses.
Aerial photo of lots of houses with grey rooftops
Submission
14 February 2025
2 min read
Submission to the National Electricity Market (NEM) Review Initial Consultation
The National Electricity Market (NEM) Review should seek to ensure that demand-side measures have sufficient support to unlock their full potential, both for consumer benefit and to provide firmed, renewable generation and storage capacity in the NEM.
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