Posts Tagged ‘incentives’

Details of the Emmisions Trading Scheme (or ET) was announced 15-Dec-08 (eg www.abc.net.au) and are to reduce by 5% carbon emissions of 2000 levels by 2020, or 15% if the rest of the world steps up.  Per capita this is on par with Europe.

With a carbon price of $25 per tonne, electricity is expected to increase by around $4 per week, with a rise in gas prices of around $2.

Some time ago, I wrote that people change for one of three reasons

• They make money
• They lose money
• It’s the law

Whether you are strongly of the view that the government is a whimp, and this is a cop-out, or of the view that climate change caused by humans is a complete furphy, one thing is now going to be fixed in law. The law to start change will be in place.  It may not be high, but it does start to change attitude. A government might even have to raise the levels if Australia is to meet 60% by 2060!

The good news is when you replace your electric or gas hot water system with a solar hot water system, you will now contribute and benefit in 4 ways.

1. You will help Australia meet the ET target.  (Solar Hot water reduces household carbon emissions by 40% - see  electricity savings).
2. The expected rise in energy prices for households will mean you are going to be up for an additional $5 per week ($250 per year.)  This is on top of an expected 15% price increase of electricity this coming year. Put this towards a new solar hot water system.
3. You can give the energy company (and the dirty coal power plants) the finger!  You are not beholden to the major polluters.
4. You pocket the expected $20 a month extra compensation. (If you are on a pensions, family Tax A, then you get 2.5% benefit; with minimal increase in other costs)

As philosophers say all the time: Good things start small.

Find Out Whether You Can Benefit From Solar Hot Water.

You can get an instant quote right now. There are 23 simple questions that lets our online calculator work out the best solution for your situation. That way you know exactly whether you can benefit from solar hot water.

Start with 1. Find System.

Our thoughts on climate change went out last week and got picked up by Sue Mikkelsen from the Noosa Journal.

Media Release

Sunshine Coast businesses must provide their own incentives for customers to take climate-friendly actions and not rely solely on governments.

That’s the message from local businessman and Sunshine Coast Environment Council Treasurer Alexander Kohl, who started SolarPay in June to provide solar hot water for people who can’t afford the upfront costs.

“Every household who switches their hot water from electric to solar can prevent up to 3,000 kgs a year of carbon emissions, and save up to $700 a year in costs” he said.

“But even with rebates, getting a solar hot water system is initially expensive, and our research found this was people’s biggest barrier to getting solar hot water”.

SolarPay negotiated with the National Australia Bank to provide finance “so people can get the system now and pay it back with their electricity savings”.

SolarPay does not make a profit on the payment, so Alexander Kohl may not be making the same money as he once did producing events for BMW and Adidas.

The father of two said “I had to change my attitude and realise that sustainable businesses can and do succeed”.

“Taking action as a business is about putting the planet and our future first and leading, not following” Kohl said.

You can find out more about solar hot water, calculate your system costs and rebates and order a system in minutes online with our calculator.

BIO: Alexander Kohl

“My vision is to find solutions that benefit the environment on a large scale AND reward the people directly.

My interest in sustainability has always been with me as the only natural way to operate and think. Some of my defining moments happened during the production of the BMW CleanEnergy World Tour 2002. The final event was held in Johannesburg, South Africa at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. I was blown away by the many companies that actively pursued more than profit.

When I produced the Sustainable Living Festival 2004 in Melbourne, I experienced the passion of volunteers who put in many hours to successfully promote what they believe in.

The biggest blocks to sustainable living seem to be added expense and inconvenience. Individuals bear these while society as a whole is benefitting.

My vision is to find solutions that benefit the environment on a large scale AND reward the people directly. With the collaboration of the right businesses we are now able to do that.

I am grateful for the effort and dedication of all people and organisations who make SolarPay possible. And I look forward to getting one step closer to sustainability, where we live in harmony with nature and each other; and use existing market forces to achieve that.”