For Australians considering installing a solar power system to their home, there has never been a better time to act. Over the last few years, implementing renewable solar energy has become easier, less expensive, and more beneficial financially.
There are several reasons: the hardware is cheaper and easier to install than ever before; the technology is more efficient, and the need to reduce our burden on the environment has become critical.
There are more than enough good reasons to go solar, and Springtime is as good a time as any. The following article should merely push you in the right direction.
It’s Springtime
Spring in Australia is equivalent to summer in most parts of the world – we really are spoiled for the sun. There are so many hours of high-quality sunshine that it is a wonder the whole country isn’t powered by solar. No matter where you reside in Australia, there is enough spring sunlight to cut the cost of your electricity usage. Truthfully, the same can also be said of the other three seasons too. In other words, there is no better place than Australia to go solar.
Solar panels generate electricity via sunlight, not heat. The theory that solar power is only cost-effective on blazing hot summer days is simply incorrect. As long as the sky is clear your panels will be drawing in that precious solar energy.
Electricity is Getting More Expensive
The rising of electricity costs over the last ten years has been astronomical – an approximate 117% hike over the last decade has driven the average Australian electricity bill up to over $1500 a year! For some, that figure might not seem so alarming. This is especially true when you consider the price of installing a new solar power system.
However, conventional electricity is becoming more expensive, and most solar power systems pay for themselves within 5 years. If paying large sums upfront is an issue, as it is for many of us, there are some great government schemes in place to help ease the burden (see below). After your initial overlay, the financial benefits are simply too good to ignore. Think of it this way, after five years – every time you see the sun shining you will be making money!
Australian Solar Rebates
Rebates come in a few shapes and sizes and vary from place to place. However, the Government has created a national rebate that rises up to as much as $4,000. Today, they are more willing than ever to contribute to the cost of installing a solar power system.
Technology is getting Cheaper
Over the last ten years, there has been a drop of over 75% in the cost of installing a solar power system to your home. This fact is remarkable enough on its own, however, not only is the technology getting cheaper, but it is also getting more efficient and powerful.
So, on the one hand, you are now getting better equipment for less money. On the other hand, new government rebates – as we mentioned above – now mean that your system will save you more money per electricity bill cycle than ever before. One of the main reasons behind this is the new feed-in tariffs that are being offered throughout Australia. Another reason is the surge in popularity of storage batteries – and the ability to store the electricity you create.
The Solar Energy You Create is More Valuable
The government, as they are represented through the energy suppliers of each individual state, set a price on electricity. They set a price at which they sell it to you and a price at which they will buy it from you.
Solar power makes both of these prices more appealing: on the one hand, generating your own electricity means you will not have to buy as much from the government, on the other, you are now creating surplus electricity which can be sold back to the electricity grid. This is what is called Feed-In electricity.
The feed-in tariffs (prices) are different from state to state but in general, they are becoming more favorable to residents who use solar.
Further development in this field is the new trend for installing solar storage batteries alongside your solar power system. This is an even more sound economic decision as it means you don’t have to sell electricity back to the grid – you can just store it for use at a later date.
Just like exchanging currency, when you sell your electricity back to the grid you are losing money. The buyback rates are much less favorable than the sale rates you pay. A solar battery can eliminate this whole process by storing all the surplus electricity you generate.
Environmental Loans
To further incentivize the movement towards solar energy generation, the Australian government has subsidized a package of “green” loans for the general public. These loans offer excellent interest rates for any purchase considered to be environmentally friendly. Specifically, installing solar power systems has been check-marked as worthy of a green loan which can be paid back at very reasonable rates. Consequently, the vast majority of homeowners can now afford solar power systems.
New Initiatives, New Beginnings
The Australian government is doing more than ever before to change the state of the national power industry. They have created a number of initiatives that all favor renewable energy generation over older forms of energy creation.
There has never been a better time for Australians to enter the solar energy field, for economic reasons as well as environmental ones. Throughout this blog we have articles that can help you understand all aspects of the solar power industry, from installation tips and hardware reviews, to price and cost analysis. Energy Solar Pro is your Australian solar energy hub.
