Every month you receive an electricity bill, whether it’s for your home or your business, and every month for many people the amount payable each month is more than the previous month. One of the reasons for the increase is that coal-fired power stations are closing, creating a shortfall in supply, placing stress on an already increasing demand. The worldwide increase in the cost of gas and coal also contributed to the problem.
With the increasing and volatile electricity prices in Australia, 1 in every 4 households are opting to invest in solar rooftop panels and businesses are going the same route. As John Grimes, the chief executive of the Smart Energy Council reported that “solar is the cheapest way to generate electricity in the world – full stop.” With the help of a reliable Australian solar energy provider, we can all make a positive change, not only for Australia and for us as individuals but also for the overall health of our planet.
Continue reading to learn more about the Australian solar energy boom and why we as a nation are betting big on solar for our energy needs.
It’s Cheaper In The Long Run
Solar system prices have been steadily decreasing over the past decade. This is due to more companies investing in solar energy since they can see the many benefits that solar power can bring to their businesses. Homeowners can experience the same savings, lowering their energy bills and having more money to spend on other, more important, things in their lives. The initial installation might have a big price tag, but the return on investment is guaranteed, making solar an attractive option. For example, it costs $69 AUD to produce one megawatt-hour of solar power, while coal costs $142 AUD to produce the same amount of power. That’s a saving of more than 50% on your energy bills and that extra money can benefit your life in other ways.
The Government Can Help
You might be eligible to receive a benefit under the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) to help with the initial cost of your solar system. By installing an approved system, using solar photovoltaic panels, the renewable electricity replaces electricity generated from non-renewable sources. A Small-scale Technology Certificate (STC) is created based on the amount of electricity that the system produces or replaces. The STC can be exchanged or sold to recoup a portion of the cost of purchasing and installing the system.
Improving The Environment
If we could capture all of the sun’s energy, that hits the earth’s surface for one hour, we would have enough power for the entire world for one year. Solar energy is a clean alternative to other energy sources like coal and natural gasses and is an incredibly powerful but underutilised resource.
By using solar energy, you can reduce your carbon footprint substantially as solar power dramatically reduces greenhouse gas emissions that are harmful to the environment. The more people that use solar, the less demand there will be on harmful energy sources like natural gas, coal and other fossil fuels. And, for companies who reduce their carbon footprint, they will see a reduction in the carbon tax and levies that they have to pay, saving more money and increasing profits.
Solar Is The Future
Considering all the energy problems we face, such as cost, pollution and ageing power station infrastructures, using solar power simply makes sense. Compared to other renewable energy sources, solar is the most practical and cost-effective option. With your own energy source, you are never at the mercy of power failures or susceptible to rising energy costs. Using solar power puts you in control of your energy production, saves you money and also helps the environment, making it the best choice for a sustainable future for future generations and our planet.