Home: Renewable Energy News: Thursday 24 April, 2008

Renewable Energy News

THURSDAY 24 APRIL, 2008 |

Government Action to end Delays for solar rebate

The Rudd Government has taken action to end unacceptable delays experienced by homeowners seeking to access the Federal Government's $1,000 rebate for installing a solar hot water service.

Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, said today that the system for processing rebate claims established by the previous government meant in some cases homeowners were waiting up to 26 weeks to be paid their solar rebate.

“The delays being experienced by home-owners under the previous government’s system are unacceptable and we have taken action to streamline and change the process so that eligible consumers can get their rebate money in their hands a lot quicker.”

Under the Solar Hot Water Rebate program, $1,000 rebates are available to help eligible Australian households install climate-friendly domestic water heaters in existing homes.

“People trying to do the right thing by installing a solar hot water system shouldn't have to wait almost half a year to receive their government rebate but this is exactly what has
happened under the previous government's system.

“The Rudd Labor Government wants to make it easier – not harder - for people to help
protect the environment by installing a solar hot water service and get access to the Federal Government’s rebate scheme.

“The new system we are announcing today will provide a streamlined application process and changes which will allow licensed installers to verify the installation of qualifying solar hot water systems at the time the old electric storage hot water system is replaced.

“This action will ensure future applications are turned around within the eight week
timeframe originally promised – but not delivered – by the previous government.”

Mr Garrett said extra staff had also been engaged to clear the backlog of current
applications created by the previous government's rebate system.

"These changes are part of the Rudd Labor Government’s commitment to investing in
renewable energy and dealing with the impacts of climate change.

“The installation of an average solar hot water system will reduce electricity usage by around 3 mega Watt hours per year, saving around $300 per year in electricity costs and around 30 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per household over the lifespan of the heater,” Mr Garrett said.

Should PV Dealers Sell Solar Thermal?

PV dealers-How many times have you had conflicts with other contractors and wished you could have done the whole job yourself? Are you seeing too much business slowdown as winter approaches? Purchases of thermal systems increase in the fall, as PV sales tend to decrease. Now is the time to widen your horizons!
You already get inquiries regarding grid-tied PV. Solar thermal is often more economical, with a lower entry cost. The installed retail price of a typical residential solar water heater is around $3500. The retail price of PV grid-tied system to appreciably reduce a typical home's electric bill is over $10,000. Besides, a grid-tied PV requires a favorable relationship with the local power authority (net metering and reasonable rules). Solar thermal has no such requirement.
Thermal collectors make better use of limited roof space, gathering the equivalent of 600 watts per square meter, compared to 100 watts per square meter for PV.

Justifying the Cost of Solar Water Heating
The cost of heating water is generally best justified by looking at the cost of operation of a water heater as expressed on the yellow energy efficiency label that is on almost all appliances. That's approximately $300 to 400 per year for electric. The cost of gas is not so much less. (Within the last year the cost have doubled to be approximately $200 to $260 per year, and propane is higher than that.) A solar water system properly sized will eliminate approximately 60 to 90% of that cost.

Solar Heating for New Construction
In recent national survey of new home buyers, 78% said they would have seriously considered solar if it had been recommended by their builder. Another 40% said that if solar had been a standard feature in their new home, they would have paid, on average, $21 more on their monthly mortgage payment. (Survey funded by NREL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Source: www.sunbuilt.org)
Financial Incentives for the Home Buyer
Solar water heating can qualify a home for an EPA Five Star Home energy-efficiency mortgage with more favorable terms, such as cash back at closing or increased debt-to-income ratio. Because of monthly energy savings, the buyer can afford to include additional upgrades in their new home package. So for the same monthly outlay, the solar home buyer gets more for their money than the standard home buyer. Even if your customer chooses a conventional mortgage, rolling the solar system cost into the mortgage (like other appliances) increases their savings more than it increases the mortgage payment. They save from the day they move in. If that weren't enough, by installing solar you provide today's environmentally-conscious client with something they prefer: clean energy. (Source: www.sunbuilt.org)

Packaged Systems vs. Component Systems
Packaged, pre-engineered systems simplify the sales and installation process, streamline the result, and reduce the chance of field integration errors. You may pay a little more for an integrated system, but you will be off the job much sooner.
Packaged systems are intended to help the less-experienced and less-equipped installer to enter the field. If you chose to design your own systems, we can supply Heliodyne collectors plus tanks, pumps, check valves, and other components.

Offering Solar Thermal Repairs
We recommend that you don't offer to repair older systems, unless you are familiar with the various "orphaned" technologies. Some parts are difficult to obtain, and your repairs will not always be reliable. As a general rule, if tank is older than 8 years, or a collector older than 15 years, repair labor can can cost more than installing a new system. Don't be shy about recommending complete system replacement. Replacements account for a large portion of solar thermal sales.

Let the sun shine in

Australia is the luckiest country in the world. Our geography gives us the opportunity to use the most natural, sustainable and clean energy in our homes – the energy from the sun. . This clean energy can either supplement your existing power needs or totally replace them. It is up to you. Lately the Federal Government made it even easier to buy a solar power system with a generous rebate of $8 000 for a 1kw grid-connect system, more than halving the price of such a system. .

Here are the key benefits of a solar power system

A solar power system generates clean electricity;
Once the system has been purchased, electricity is generated from a ‘free’ resource - the sun;
Solar Energy Systems add value to your home;
Solar electricity is generated without emitting greenhouse gases and does not consume fossil fuels;
A solar module is silent;
Solar modules can be integrated into the building in the form of windows, walls, roof tiles or pergolas;
Solar power can supplement or provide all your electricity consumption;
Solar power can feed electricity back into the mains grid, running your meter backwards; Additional solar modules can be added later;
Most solar modules have a warranty of more than 25 years and there are still modules in operation which were commissioned over 30 years ago.

In conjunction with an inverter, solar power can be used to power any device that would be powered by normal mains electricity. For people living near powerlines, installing a grid-connected solar system is perfect. The solar panels on your roof offset the regular electricity you would be getting from the grid, lowering your bill and saving the environment.

People who don't live near a mains grid may consider a stand-alone solar system, which uses batteries to store electricity while the sun is shining. Generous rebates available for stand alone systems. Optionally, appliances can be powered and the batteries can be charged by a generator, giving you the advantage of increased power during heavy loads and clean renewable energy during normal energy consumption. Solar power can also be used to run applications such as water pumping stations for irrigation and wells.

Energy Matters welcomes Solar Power initiative

Recently the ACT Government has announced that together with the energy provider ActewAGL they will investigate a proposal to build a solar power station in Canberra.
A joint study will initially look at the feasibility of setting up a solar power plant and investigate the many suitable sites in Canberra” reported ABC news on 18th of March 08.
If it goes ahead, the farm would contain around 100 large solar dishes similar to the one already in operation at the Australian National University. It could generate enough solar power to supply 10,000 homes with clean renewable energy.

At this stage, ActewAGL is not willing to say how much such a plant would cost but Chief Minister Jon Stanhope says he hopes the Federal Government would contribute some funding. "I think it's an exciting new development in relation to our potential and the capacity within the ACT to genuinely address issues we confront in the context of climate change and global warming," Mr Stanhope said.

Should Solar Power Dealers offer Solar Hot Water as well?

Hi all solar power installers out there –how many times have you had conflicts with other contractors installing a solar hot water system on the roof and wished you could have done the whole job yourself? Are you seeing too much business slowdown as winter approaches? Purchases of thermal systems increase in the autumn, as PV sales tend to decrease. Now is the time to widen your horizons!

You already get inquiries regarding grid connect solar power and Solar Hot Water is often more economical, with a lower entry cost. The installed retail price of a typical residential solar water heater by the time rebates come off it can be as low as $2000 plus install. The retail price of PV grid-tied system to very significantly reduce a typical home's electric bill is over $10,000 after rebates. Besides, a grid connect solar power system (PV system) requires some paperwork and metering changes with the local power supplier while solar thermal has no such requirement. So you are already undertaking the more difficult work and why not consider installing a Solar Hot Water system as well.

Thermal collectors make better use of limited roof space, gathering the equivalent of 600 watts per square meter, compared to 100 watts per square meter for PV. The cost of heating water can take up a ¼ of house holds energy bills. That's approximately $400 per year for an electric tank systems . The cost of gas is not much less. A solar water heater properly sized will eliminate approximately 60 to 90% of that cost.

So in summary , why not consider selling a package of solar power creating electricity and solar power selling hot water in one offer to new home buyers, builders or renovators. The choice is simple. Energy Matters can design systems for all consumers in the PV and Solar Thermal area.

Regional Victoria solar hot water rebate program

From the 1 July 2008 a new Victorian Government rebate will be available to assist regional and rural Victorian households to switch their old hot water system to solar.

A rebate of up to $2500 will be available. The value of the rebate is dependent on the size of a system, its performance and whether the applicant qualifies for the Australian Government rebate of $1000.

The rebate will be available for regional and rural Victorian households to switch their existing electric or gas hot water system to solar. In areas with access to reticulated gas a gas-solar system must be installed. In areas where there is no reticulated gas, an electric-solar or LPG-solar system can be installed.

For regional and rural Victorians, the current rebate of up to $1500 will apply until the 30 June 2008 for:

Converting from gas to gas solar
Adding solar to existing electric or gas systems
Our current program

Where an electric hot water system is being replaced, households may be eligible to receive the Commonwealth rebate of $1000. More details are on the Department Of Climate Change website.

The new regional solar hot water rebate will be available through participating manufacturers and suppliers who will check householder eligibility to receive the rebate before installation can occur.

More information on the new rebate will be available in June 2008 including eligibility criteria, program guidelines, participating manufacturers and a listing of accredited solar hot water systems.

News for Monday 21 April, 2008