Getting Paid or Paying for Green Power?
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008Are you buying green power? Have you paid to offset your carbon emission? What if you did not pay for it – but got paid?
We hear everywhere that it is good to purchase green power or offset your carbon emissions. But what are we really paying for when we do that?
Solar Hot Water – the Single Biggest Impact on Carbon Emissions.
When you install solar hot water, you reduce your household’s carbon emissions by around 25%. They are not just offset, they are eliminated. Not once, but for the lifespan of the solar hot water system (often 20 years).
Our government knows that and is paying you to do it: $1,600 federal rebate.
On top of that, you receive payment for REC’s (Renewable Energy Certificates). And guess who purchases these REC’s? It is mostly energy retailers. Up to $2,000. They then pass that charge on to consumers who pay for green power.
The same is true for some carbon offsetting schemes. They purchase REC’s, which gives them the right to the saved CO2.
So what are you really paying for when you buy green power or carbon offsets? You are subsidising someone else to reduce their carbon emissions. It feels good, but you can bet that the subsidised person feels even better.
Here are the two choices:
- Continue to pay the electricity company and let others benefit from the subsidies you pay.
- Or take control, make a real difference in your carbon emissions, get paid for it, slash your electricity bill at the same time and do not get caught with future increases in electricity.
If you have questions about your particular situation or want help in deciding which solar hot water system is most suitable, call me on 5400 1800 or get an instant online quote below.
