Why is SEA the peak authority on solar power?
The Sustainable Energy Association of Australian (SEA) is the peak body for sustainable energy in Australia. Established in 2002, SEA promotes the development and adoption of sustainable energy technologies and practices, including solar power. With around 400 industry members, it is one of Australia's largest energy chambers. SEA has both suppliers and customers as members and we want to see a viable market that lets businesses make sales at a fair price, and customers have choices and competition to keep costs down.
Will electricity prices continue to rise?
Electricity prices have risen 57% in the last three years. In 2009, the State Government approved increases to electricity tariffs for households - 10% on 1 April and a further 15% on 1 July. Then in 2010, electricity tariffs for households were increased by 7.5% on 1 April and a further 10% on 1 July.
The cost of buying electricity from the grid will continue to rise over the next 12 months. Solar is without a doubt the cheapest energy you can buy for your home.
Are government rebates still available?
Yes, the government offers a number of incentives to help you make the switch to solar power, including the Solar Credit Scheme Rebate (Federal Government).
The Solar Credits Scheme provides extra tradable credits for the first 1.5 kW of small scale PV (photo voltaic) systems. These credits, known as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STC), can be traded by the homeowner or assigned to you solar PV system retailer for discount on your system price. Many advertised systems already include this rebate in the advertised price.
When will my system pay for itself?
The amount of time it takes to pay back your system ('payback period') will depend on your initial system cost and the degree to which your chosen system reduces or eliminates your electricity bills. SEA Recommended Suppliers will assist you in choosing the best solar solution.
If you use your solar system wisely and maximise its value (see below) you should be able to achieve payback within 4-7 years. Plus, installing a solar system is the only home renovation that pays for itself and adds capital value to your home.
It is difficult to give an accurate answer, as there are many opinions about how much power is going to go up over the next few years. Though one thing is certain - the more the cost of power increases, the faster the payback. Many solar systems operate efficiently for more than 20 years so once your system has paid back its initial investment, you should receive free electricity from the sun for many years to come.
The SEA Recommended Supplier you choose to provide your solar system can also give you an estimate of the payback period based on the system features and your pattern of electricity use.
How do I get the most out of my system?
Maximise your return on investment by simply using the power you generate, rather than buying power from the grid. This can be achieved through timing your energy consumption on items such as washing machines, dishwashers, pool pumps and water heaters.
The key to maximising the value from your solar system is to ensure you use most of the electricity produced by your panels within your home and be more strategic in terms of when you use electricity.
Depending on your current pattern of electricity use, this may mean moving some of your electricity use from times when your system isn't producing electricity (night) to times of peak electricity generation (day). The SEA Recommended Supplier you choose to provide your solar system will give you more information to help maximise your system.
How do I contact an SEA Recommended Supplier for my best solar solution?
Please click here to view supplier details of the Sustainable Energy Association of Australia. SEA Recommended Suppliers are located across the entire country.
