Archive for December, 2009

Less than 9 months ago, the Sunshine Coast Environment Council kicked off the 1,000 Solar Roofs Challenge. Last Saturday, Councillor Keryn Jones congratulated all participants on the amazingly successful program and announced that SCEC is going for the next level with the 10,000 Solar Roofs Project.

According to Energex, the Sunshine Coast is the region with one of the highest uptakes of solar in all of Australia. The SCEC project has certainly played a huge part in that.

Affordable solar with $0 up front

Even though the $8,000 Federal solar rebate does not exist any more, SCEC has been able to bring the right partners together to make solar affordable for everyone. With the help of a unique finance package from MCU (Maleny Credit Union), it is possible to install a solar system and pay for it out of electricity bill savings.

The quicker you get on board, the quicker you start getting paid by your electricity retailer. Call on 1300 867 671 or get an obligation-free instant proposal.

Saturday 12 December

As part of the Global Climate Campaign International Day of Action, SCEC is holding the Sunshine Coast regional event to coincide with the annual United Nations Climate Talks which are taking place this year in Copenhagen, Denmark on December 7th to 18th 2009.

Synchronised demonstrations around the world on Saturday December 12th 2009 will take place to call on world leaders to take urgent action on climate change.

When: Saturday 12 December from 10.00am to 11.30am
Where: Cotton Tree Park Maroochydore (next to the Rotary Rotunda)

Speakers: Associate Professor Peter Waterman from the University of the Sunshine Coast will speak on what the science is saying needs to be done and how he views the progress in Copenhagen.

Youth environmental advocate and talented singer/songwriter Rebel Lyons speaks out and communicates through song on the need for change to help protect current and future generations

Ingenero is participating by giving away an Apricus Evacuated Solar Hot Water System valued at$5,000! You can win it on the day.

PLUS: Free tree giveaways and an organic sausage sizzle

The Cotton Tree event is also an opportunity to highlight personal actions people can take and celebrate with some of the 1,000 Sunshine Coast residents who have installed solar power as part of SCEC’s 1,000 Solar Roofs project.

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It’s good to see Queensland electricity retailers are stepping up the rate they pay customers on the net feed-in tariff for solar energy.

AGL recently announced a “Premium Solar Rebate” – customers can now be paid 52 cents for every kilowatt hour of electricity they produce on their rooftops but don’t use.

AGL has beaten Origin’s feed-in tariff rate of 50 cents per kWh.

These rates compare to approximately 18 cents per kilowatt hour to buy electricity from the retailers. It all means homes with solar power systems on their rooftops can be paid for their surplus power and have the systems pay for themselves.