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Renewable Energy News

WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE, 2012 |

Australian Businesses Saving Big On Electricity Bills

by Energy Matters

Australian business turning to solar power

Australian businesses with rooftops suited to the installation of solar panels can wipe out their daytime load electricity costs, courtesy of the sun.

With the price of solar plummeting in recent years and no end in sight to skyrocketing electricity costs, it's now more viable and desirable than ever for commercial enterprises to make the switch says Energy Matters' Nick Brass.

"Any business paying more than 20 cents per kilowatt hour for daytime electricity consumption would be wise to investigate acquiring a solar power system sized to their daytime load. Assuming a suitable rooftop, such a system will provide payback within 5 and 7 years depending on where in Australia the business is located."

After the initial payback time and over the long life of a solar power system, businesses can benefit from a substantial reduction in their operational costs; as well as enhance their sustainability efforts. Installing solar panels can also increase the value of commercial buildings by improving NABERs/Greenstar ratings.

Various programs can help commercial enterprises reduce the cost of going solar.

Businesses with an annual turnover of less than $2 million a year can benefit from the ability to immediately write off assets to the value of $6,500 - including solar power systems, from July 1.

The Ausindustry Clean Energy Future program provides grants to manufacturers to support investments in energy-efficient capital equipment and low-pollution technologies, such as commercial-scale solar arrays.

Other incentives may also apply to businesses large and small, some of which Energy Matters lists on their web site.

Energy Matters' commercial solar power arm specialises in rooftop solar PV systems from 20 kilowatts to 1 megawatt in size. Among the projects it has been involved with include solar arrays for Australia Post, Melbourne Water, Coles, Victoria University, RMIT and University of Southern Queensland.

Energy Matters' commercial team can be contacted on 1300 553 213.