Australia’s energy market is changing but to take full advantage home owners, renovators and builders need to be plugged into solar.

With sophisticated monitoring technology, the latest systems can take advantage of new pricing conditions.

“The middle of the day, not the middle of the night, is becoming the new off-peak period,” says Scott White, Sharpe Energy-Hub’s Renewables/Storage Manager.

“Because South Australia’s rooftop solar often is producing more than is being used at this time the big retailers are buying it for less and now plan to sell it for less.”

Householders will be able to take advantage of the situation by activating swimming pool pumps, heating, and cooling systems and other appliances, such as dishwashers, during this period.

“The latest monitoring technology is so advanced it can show exactly how much power a kettle uses (around 2kW)”, says Mr. White. “This knowledge puts power into your hands.”

Battery storage, which attracts generous subsidies at present, is the ultimate way to control energy use. Present subsidies and incentives make the payback figures add up in South Australia better than any other State.

“There are options with the size of battery storage,” says Mr. White. “For example, we can provide the South-Australian-manufactured Sonnen system in stages so it can be increased to meet a family’s growing needs.”

Monitoring systems have other useful benefits.

They can reveal if the hot water thermostat is faulty, or if the fridge is not operating at peak efficiency.

Sharpe Energy-Hub has consultants ready to explain all the options on display at its Port Road, Thebarton, showroom.

Their key tool is the Energy Analyser, which crunches consumption figures to show how a household can save up to 80 percent on energy costs.

Sharpe Energy-Hub systems are installed and serviced by its own technicians, backed by the experience and knowledge of 39 years in business.