They differ from traditional solar installations on rooftops as individuals can buy a number of solar panels in a small-scale array in a location directly connected to the grid with the energy generated from these panels sent back into the network as a whole, rather than powering your home directly. The savings come as the energy your panels generate counts as a rebate against your total bill, no matter where you live. Enova Energy is one Australian retailer currently investing in solar gardens. Its chief executive Tony Pfeiffer said the scheme is ideal for people who can’t install solar panels and batteries, such as renters or those living in units. "Solar gardens work by investors buying into an array which then on-sells the energy generated," Pfeiffer says. The solar power is provided without having to attach panels to your residence, providing what Pfeiffer calls a "portable experience".

By combining this program with digital meters, or behind-the-meter technology, people can see how much of their power comes from renewable energy sources. Additionally, by keeping the array just under 100 kilowatts investors are able to keep the small-scale renewable energy generation certificates for resale to non-renewable energy generators, who need to have a certain proportion of 'renewable energy', providing a further investment discount. Solar gardens are providing renters or people living in units the opportunity to use solar power. Credit:Prashanth Vishwanathan Pfeiffer says the panels can also be sold onwards, meaning you’re not locked into an investment if you decide to change your residence or move overseas. The payback for the panel, the point where you are essentially getting 'free' energy – minus the network charges associated with still being connected to the grid – is dependent on your initial investment, however, a buy-in of around $1000 into standard system will likely see a payback of between five and six years.

You also have the added bonus – albeit a small one – of getting a feed-in tariff, which is a small government subsidy for providing power back into the wider grid. Loading But note, buying into a solar garden doesn’t mean your bills will go to zero immediately; as you are still connected to the grid you are still exposed to network costs - paying for the poles and wires - you just no longer have to pay for wholesale prices. If your property already has solar panels, there’s also the option of turning your extra power to profit by sharing your energy with your neighbours. Peer-to-peer energy trading is being seen as the next major revolution ahead and is being driven by the uptake in batteries.

Currently, any excess power your solar panels generate can be sold back to your retailer or is simply wasted, however, new technology is allowing you to sell it to other people. One Australian company, Power Ledger, uses blockchain technology backed by cryptocurrency similar to Bitcoin to create a transparent and auditable record of energy generation and consumption, allowing consumers to trade energy with their neighbours automatically. "Peer-to-peer energy trading presents an opportunity to unlock enormous value for consumers, it disintermediates the energy supply model putting consumers in direct contact with other consumers," Power Ledger managing director David Martin says. Origin and EnergyAustralia are both looking into this as well, with expectations that it would help to drive down power prices. While this capability is still in its early stages – it has only been available since July 2017 – it is rapidly growing.