Antinuclear

Solar energy is still a good financial move for New South Wales homes and small business

Go solar to cut costs http://www.forbesadvocate.com.au/news/local/news/general/go-solar-to-cut-costs/2539388.aspx MICHAEL BUSHELL 30 Apr, 2012  Forbes residents and business owners looking to cut their electricity costs should still consider solar power, according to Forbes electrical business, Shead and Nicholson.
Shead and Nicholson says while the NSW Government ended the generous Solar Bonus Scheme last year, home and business owners can still take advantage of rebates to offset the cost of solar power installation.

Under the Federal Government’s enhanced Renewable Energy Target (RET),
which aims to provide 20 per cent of Australia’s electricity supply
from renewable sources by 2020, anyone with a small scale solar power
system earns Small Technology Certificates (STCs), which can then be
traded on the renewable energy market.

The number of STCs generated by a system is also currently multiplied,
under the Solar Credits program. Under current arrangements, a small
scale solar system will earn three times as many STCs under the
arrangements of the existing RET scheme.

Apart from earning STCs, solar photo-voltaic (PV) cells also generate
energy, which can be used by the household or business or fed back
into the grid.

Shead and Nicholson’s Stephen West says the Forester Street business
has taken advantage of solar power rebates and may save as much as
$1200 a year on their electricity bills.

Mr West said a small solar PV system (about 1.6 kilowatts) required
only about 13 square metres of unshaded roof space and with the
rebate, could be installed for as little as $2500. A 3.3kw solar
system can be installed from $4700.

Mr West said most homes in Forbes would have the necessary solar
capacity – ideally, the panels are installed on a north-facing section
of the roof and at a pitch of 34 degrees, but slight variations will
not have a significant impact on energy produced.

He said the amount that a household or business could save in energy
costs, also depended on a change in electricity consumption habits.
For example, appliances that can be used at any time like a dishwasher
or washing machine should be used during the day, when the household’s
solar PV cells are supplying the building. Mr West said any
electrician can install a solar photovoltaic system, but Shead and
Nicholson is the only Forbes business accredited to install systems to
earn the renewable electricity STCs.

For more information on available solar electricity rebates, see
ret.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/s olar-panels

May 1, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News