How to Make Solar Pay (Solar Hot Water & Solar Power)

Changes to government solar programs, again

Ann White — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:45:19 +0000

The Federal Government has been very busy lately, rearranging its support for the solar industry and support for householders installing domestic solar power and hot water.

And once again it has proved the general rule that, if attractive supports (e.g. rebates) are available to go solar, grab them quick before they are reduced or withdrawn.

Solar hot water

If you ordered your solar hot water system or a heat pump before 20 February 2010, or had it installed before then, you still have until 19 March to claim the old rebate of $1600 for solar hot water systems and $1000 for heat pumps.

If you ordered your system after 20 February, eligible people can still receive a rebate under the new Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme but it’s not as attractive: $1000 for solar hot water systems and $600 for heat pumps.

Green Loans

Sadly the offer of up to $10,000 interest free Green Loan from the Federal Government to invest in home sustainability improvements like solar power are no longer on offer. It was good while it lasted.

Renewable Energy Target Scheme

While it hasn’t gone through parliament and won’t do for some time, the Federal Government is also planning to improve the subsidies provided to householders for solar power systems and solar hot water from 1 January 2011. While not as attractive as the $8000 rebate offered last year, they are presently estimating a 1.5 kilowatt solar power system will attract a subsidy of $6200.

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How to tell a quality solar power installation

Ann White — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 01:37:12 +0000

The airwaves are currently pulsing with more warnings about possible dangers in products used in the Federal Government’s green home schemes. While there is a lot of talk, the Clean Energy Council has today reassured everyone that there have been no cases of solar panels causing house fires.
We are fortunate that in Australia our building and electrical works are governed by good industry standards. What is unfortunate is that there will always be cowboys willing to duck under the minimum standards set by industry and government. So how do you know if your solar power installation has been done properly?
Solar installations are technical and complex, and solar panels all look pretty much the same. Unless they are an electrician, it is unlikely that the average person is able to adequately judge the quality of a solar installation. You will always have to trust your installer and rely on their integrity.
Here’s a guide to assuring yourself you are getting a quality job:
Your supplier and installer must be a licensed electrician accredited by the Clean Energy Council. They will appear on the CEC’s database on their website . Furthermore, established and reputable electricians display their reputations by their dress, manner, equipment and vehicles.
Approved panels and inverters are listed on the CEC’s website.
Brand names provide customers with quality assurance. We have always supplied high-quality brand-name equipment: our panels are either Sharp or Suntech, and our inverters are either German-made SMA or Australian-made Latronics.
Make sure you get a warranty. Our solar panels come with a manufacturer-backed 25 year power output guarantee that ensures the panel will be performing at 90% of its stated output after 12 years and 80% after 25 years. Inverters from Ingenero are backed by a full product replacement warranty of 10 years. The balance of system components used are high quality, ensuring low energy loss, and are rated to meet or exceed Australian standards. If anything we sold becomes defective or breaks within the first 10 years, we come to you and fix it or replace it.
If you have concerns about the quality of your installation we suggest you pay for a second opinion from one of the installers accredited by the CEC.

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Comparison between electric, gas and solar hot water systems

Ann White — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 04:44:20 +0000

We’ve done some analysis on the differences between gas hot water, electric hot water and solar hot water systems and the results are telling.
Electric hot water is five times more expensive than electric-boosted solar and 10 times more expensive than gas-boosted solar. Electric hot water also produces more than 14 times more greenhouse gas emissions than gas boosted solar hot water.

Costs per kilowatt hour

Energy Source	Cost per Unit (c/kWh)
LPG (45kg bottle)	16.7
Electricity	16.6
Reticulated Natural Gas	5.0

Running costs and emissions per year

	Retail Purchase Cost ($) excluding installation		Running Cost ($/year)	GHG Emissions Tonnes/year
	Before RECs	After RECs
Gas Boosted Solar	4,400	2,900	100	0.30
LPG boosted solar	3,200	2,400	160	0.40
Electric Boosted Solar	4,400	2,700	210	1.15
Natural Gas	1,200		435	1.30
LPG	600		605	1.40
Electric	1,200		1,070	4.30

Source: Sustainable Energy Development Office 2006
Reference: Western Australia Energy LPG Final Report July 2007.PDF

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Lining up a Green Loan worth the effort

Ann White — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:42:04 +0000

Federal Government’s Green Loans program has been getting a bit of negative media lately, with their accreditation program targeted. However it’s important not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Green Loans is a scheme to give householders up to $10,000 interest-free over four years to pay for environment improvements to their homes.
I declare my interest here because I recently received my Green Loan and from a personal point of view I’m happy with the scheme. I used the loan to fund a solar power system on my roof and a four star energy efficient refrigerator.
I calculate that the savings on my energy bills will cover a lot of the loan repayments, but I will have to dip into my pocket to pay the rest. In four years I’ll have it all paid off, and my solar power system should keep pumping its power into the grid for at least another 20-25 years.
The process of getting the loan was slow, so you don’t want to be in a hurry. The first step is a home assessment by an accredited assessor who lets you know in a report what home improvements are eligible for funding.
Armed with a list of approved items, I then shopped around for the ones that I agreed I wanted. The tricky bit was getting the supplier invoices at the same time and prior to installation, then taking them to the lending institution. The loans system can’t seem to cope with staggered payments, so lining them up at the same time was a bit of a challenge.
But it was worth it – after all, we are talking interest-free here.

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Rebate for solar hot water changes in NSW

Ann White — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:23:55 +0000

The NSW Government has just decreased (on 15 January 2010) the rebate they pay on solar hot water systems and heat pumps, proving once again that if a rebate is on offer from a government, grab it while it lasts.

Residents of NSW can now claim a $300 rebate if they switch from electric to solar hot water or heat pump. (Before 15 January, the rebate was up to $1200, depending on the number of RECs attracted by the new sysem).

The NSW rebate is additional to the $1600 Federal solar hot water rebate.

We can’t find any announcement of the change to the rebate. They seemed to just change the website information and hope that people find it.

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Where to go for green advice?

Ann White — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 07:47:58 +0000

The shift to sustainable living is being promoted almost universally these days, but where do you go for good information and well researched analysis?

Magazines, both on line and in the newsagents, are a helpful source. Here are few to look out for:

Green, for homeowners demanding information and inspiration on sustainable architecture and landscape design.
G Magazine, green living made easy. Online and paper editions available: House, Garden, Food, Family, Science, Style, Travel, Society, Health sections, and an impressive editorial advisory board including Dr Tim Flannery.
Greenpages, sustainability directory and news source. Online and paper editions available.
ReNew: technology for a sustainable future. Published in association with the Alternative Technology Association, offering advice on sustainable building practice, renewable energy technology and water conservation. ReNew is available from newsagents or subscription.
Sanctuary magazine has great sustainable design and building information.
And overseas, the US based Home Power magazine is worth a look. Since 1987, Home Power magazine has been the leading renewable energy information source for end-users and professional alike. Topics include solar, wind, and hydro-electricity, solar hot water, energy efficient building, clean transportation technologies, and much more.

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How to sidestep electricity price rises

Ann White — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:25:12 +0000

There has been lots in the media lately about electricity prices going up. This is unsurprising, when organisations such as the Australian Energy Market Operator predict the wholesale price of electricity may more than double next year, and increase two and a half times over the next 20 years.

While wholesale electricity prices account for roughly half of the consumer’s dollars, electricity retailers, too, are preparing to implement substantial price rises:

In Queensland:

Energex customers can expect to see a 21% price rise in the 2010/11 year, and an average of 6% increase for each of the following four years.
Ergon Energy customers can expect to see a 9% price rise during 2010/11 and around 2% each year for the following four years.

Source: http://www.aer.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/656050

In New South Wales:

Energy Australia customers are predicted to see a 58% price rise between now and 2012/13.
Country Energy customers will face a 22% increase by 2012/13.
Integral Energy customers can expect a 44% price rise by 2012/13.

(These figures are those reported in the Australian Financial Review 16 December 2009)

How to sidestep the impact of these price rises? The good news in NSW is that the State Government has introduced a 60c per kWh GROSS feed-in tariff, a move designed to encourage householders to invest in solar power. Anyone with a solar power system up to 10kW will be paid 60 cents for every kilowatt hour it produces. The government predicts the average family will be paid around $1500 a year.

Queensland has a different arrangement for buying solar from domestic producers – a NET feed in tariff. Anyone producing more electricity than what they are using (at any moment in time) gets a credit of 44 cents per kWh. This payment is handled by the energy retailer (some pay more than 44c) and offset against the electricity bill. While the net feed in tariff is not as lucrative for the householder as the gross scheme in NSW, those Queenslanders with large systems or those who are frugal with energy still find they no longer pay electricity bills.

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10,000 Solar Roofs Project

Alexander Kohl — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 21:21:19 +0000

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.

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Global Climate Campaign International Day of Action

Alexander Kohl — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 07:45:32 +0000

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.

View Larger Map

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New higher feed-in tariff in Queensland

Ann White — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 10:06:57 +0000

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.

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Ingenero Sunshine Coast office officially opened by Mayor

Ann White — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:58 +0000

Today the Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, Cr Bob Abbot officially opened our Sunshine Coast facilities.

Ingenero CEO Steve McRae was in charge of showing Cr Abbot around our new office, warehouse and call centre in Warana. The day was made even more special by quite a bit of media attention for the event.

Their interest was drawn because of our substantial growth in the last few months and our decision to base our new facilities on the Sunshine Coast.

“We are delighted to welcome Ingenero, its staff and its facility,” Cr Abbot said. Council has a goal of making the Sunshine Coast the most sustainable region in Australia.

“Creating new, green jobs in sustainable industries is central to that vision.”

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Meter running backwards

Alexander Kohl — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:43:54 +0000

After 18 months of promoting solar energy, I finally got my own solar power system installed. The first full day of it running produced 11.1kWh. My mind jumped ahead: “11.1kWh in a day multiplied by 365 is 4,051.5kWh. We are with Origin, so we receive 50c per kWh that goes back into the grid. That means, if we achieved a 100% feed-in rate, we’d receive $2,025.75 per year!

How quickly can I get more panels on my roof?”

Then I looked at my meter. And as so many of our clients had told me, it was really running backwards:

Assumptions are Exciting but Wrong

Of course, the calculation is not correct. Firstly, this first day was a beautiful cloudless day, not too hot, so the solar power system would have produced close to capacity. On cloudy days it is going to be significantly less. In winter with shorter days it is also going to be less. It might be a little more as the days get longer, but extrapolating from one day is just not realistic.

The next wrong assumption is that we can feed 100% of the produced power back into the grid. For Queensland with its net feed-in tariff that will not happen. When we have out new meter from Energex, I’ll update you on what is realistic for us.

The other thing is that we have a 2kW system, so it is larger than the 1.08kWh or 1.6kW that most people have. However, our roof is East facing, rather than the ideal North. We had to go for that as it is the roof with the least shade (it hits about 2.30pm in the afternoon, but by then, the angle of the sun is not producing much power anymore anyway).

It is so worth it!

We also have one of the Climate Smart home meters. From that I know that our average daily consumption is 5.5kWh – less than half of that during the day. So we should be able to export two thirds back into the grid. That would still be over $1,000. Plus the savings of our own electricity.

We got the old $8,000 Federal Solar Rebate, so our return would be close to 20%. This would be one of the best returns on any investments we’ve made. Without this rebate, it should still be over 10% return, better than any bank offers.

What the actual financial outcome will be, I won’t know until in a year. But the joy and excitement of having our own power produced on site, clean and green that is great. And it has really renewed my excitement about what we are offering.

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