Melbourne, Victoria Oct 16, 2019 (Issuewire.com) - DC Power Co, Australia’s first solar-focused energy services company, aims to assist the 2 million solar households who lack the information and support to get the most from their rooftop solar. This coincides with new research by market insights group Essence that suggests almost two-thirds of solar households have a limited understanding of their system or lack the confidence to get the most from it and save.
While over two-thirds of households surveyed installed solar panels to save money, only three in 10 actively monitor how much electricity they use or fully understand how solar feed-in tariffs work.
DC Power Co Co-founder and CEO, Nic Frances Gilley, says this isn’t the fault of consumers - the system isn’t set up to support them and they’re losing money.
“Solar households create their own electricity and therefore buy less, so electricity companies aren’t incentivised to help them get their solar working optimally. The large electricity companies have their own generation assets and, whether it’s coal, gas or renewables, they have a vested interested in making sure their customers buy this electricity. No-one is looking out for the solar household and the system is fundamentally broken,” says Nic.
One in five rooftop solar systems is deficient according to the latest data from the Clean Energy Council (CEC). For a Victorian household with a 4kW system that isn’t functioning properly, this could equate to a loss of up to $1100 a year*.
Currently, 20 percent of Australian homes have rooftop solar systems and this is projected to increase to 45 percent by 2050. DC Power Co has entered the market as a solar-focused energy services company to bring service to this growing group, in an industry that has historically been driven by price.
Most households were motivated to install solar to save money on their bill and the disconnect between investing in solar and seeing a return has never been more stark.
“Our research found that 64 percent of solar households don’t feel confident they’re getting the best out of their system despite investing to save money or increase the value of their home. And with limited knowledge on their feed-in tariff, there’s clearly a need for more education and for electricity companies to offer more support,” says Essence Director, Penny Burke.
DC Power Co is dedicated to educating solar households on their solar system and electricity use, so they can buy less and save more. DC Power Co’s services tackle consumer confusion head-on, providing personalised advice to help solar households save.
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Research finding from Understanding Solar Report, Essence, 2019.
*Based upon average self-consumption value, DC Power Co feed-in tariff and peak rate.
DC Power Co is the world’s first crowdfunded energy services company dedicated to solar households. They provide personalised specialist services to help people get the most from their solar and save money. Solar households are different - they make their own electricity and buy less. That’s why, unlike traditional electricity companies whose business models focus on selling more, DC Power Co has no financial interest in customers using more electricity. With no tricky discounts and a flat monthly fee, they provide transparent pricing that allows customers to know exactly what they’re paying for. Because DC Power Co is built by solar people, for solar people.
Based in Melbourne, DC Power Co was founded by entrepreneurs Nic Frances Gilley, Monique Conheady, Emma Jenkin and Nick Brass in 2017, through the world’s largest equity crowdfunding campaign for the launch of a business.
Media Contact
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