Best Time to Invest in Solar Power? Now

Amazing but true! Despite wild swings in government incentives, the solar power industry has ensured that renewable power options remain available and attractive.

There are three major factors driving the continuation of the solar success story despite erratic and confusing government policy.

1. Continual improvement in technology.
2. Rapidly rising cost of electricity.
3. Remarkable falls in the price of installing solar power.

EG: In 2005, a high quality 2kw grid connect solar system would cost $23,260 fully installed before government rebate (which was $4000). A similar system now with improved technology and efficiency is available for $8,300 and there is still around $3,000 cash back for the sale of the renewable energy certificates. So while the cost of dirty coal power has continued to rise, the price of a clean and reliable renewable energy system for your home or business is roughly one third of the outlay that it was seven years ago. Great news!

So what about feed in tariffs and the fabled 60 cent “Solar Bonus Scheme?”
What we need to understand is that although new customers are no longer eligible to take part in this scheme, your metering can be arranged so that all the power your panels produce can be balanced against the electricity you are using AT THE TIME OF THE POWER PRODUCTION, thus saving on the real cost of electricity. This is a very important point. If you use electricity during the day, you do not need a feed in tariff or government incentive to make solar an attractive proposition. The power companies are doing all the work for us already by continually ramping up the cost of their product. Logically, the more the cost of power goes up, the more attractive renewables become. So your 2 kw system will put you roughly $5,300 out of pocket after claiming the renewable energy certificates. Given a good solar aspect, you can expect it to create around 9 units of electricity per day. Assuming your usage during daylight hours is above the rate of power production, you will be saving your normal tariff, which is at least 28 cents. This gives a saving of about $920 per year on your power bill or a return on investment of 18%. This does not take into account tax advantages on depreciation of the equipment or rises in electricity tariffs, destined to head towards 40 cents in the foreseeable future.

If your home or business is a heavy user of electricity during daylight hours, you can install a bigger system for greater savings and excellent outcomes both for the environment and public relations.

Call your local solar installer today for information and quotes.

Accounting

Peter Fowler

Peter Fowler Collins Hume

Collins Hume has over 12 years experience in finance and is a specialist in driving business forward while working smarter not harder. Awarded CPA Australia’s Top 40 Young Business Leaders 2012 he helps make things happen.

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• Some Business Owners Get it. How Can You?Mar 22, 2013

Banking and Finance

Leo Senese

Leo Senese RBS morgans

Leo Senese, RBS Morgans, with 17 years of experience in the financial markets with Westpac, Goldman Sachs JB and RBS Morgans he is a specialist in income investments. His primary focus is to generate tax effective enhanced income solutions.

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• Get Global Commodity Exposure in the Australian Share MarketAug 30, 2011
• The Changing Face of Fixed InterestNov 30, 2011
• Are you prepared for Retirement?Mar 13, 2012
• Don't Pay More Tax Than You Have ToJun 14, 2012
• Working Your Cash HarderSep 03, 2012
• Getting the Best Yield for Your InvestmentNov 30, 2012
• Cash Rate Falls: Yield Remains King!Mar 22, 2013

Business Efficiency

Clayton Oates

Clayton Oates QA Business

Clayton Oates, QA Business, our Channel 7 business efficiency guru cuts through the red tape and helps you streamline your business to make things happen.

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• Business Costs - Are They Adding Value?Aug 12, 2010
• Moments of TruthNov 16, 2010
• Is your Accountant Necessary?May 09, 2011
• Where Has Our “Disposable Time” Gone?Jun 07, 2011
• Using the Internet to Buy LocallyAug 30, 2011
• Is your head in the Cloud?Nov 30, 2011
• Do Apps – Add Up?Mar 13, 2012
• Future Shock – It’s Here AgainJun 14, 2012
• The Cloud - What’s Old is New AgainSep 03, 2012
• How Disruptive is your Business?Nov 30, 2012
• Clouds Have Different ShapesMar 22, 2013

Employment & Training

Meg Nichols

Meg Nichols EnviTE Inc

General Manager EnviTE Inc, providing advice on the Northern Rivers employment market, recruitment, industry trends and best practice.

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• Employing People with Disability Makes Good Business SenseDec 04, 2012
• Employing Youth Expands Your Business OpportunitiesMar 22, 2013

Marketing

Moyra Burke-Smith

Moyra Burke-Smith AM Marketing

Moyra Burke-Smith, AM Marketing – with over 20 years of marketing experience for both small and large companies in Europe and Australia she is our expert at making your marketing work for your business. In her spare time she makes a mean mojito.

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• Make Them HappyAug 12, 2010
• 7 Sins of MarketingNov 17, 2010
• Sins of Marketing part 2May 09, 2011
• Get HelpJun 07, 2011
• Promote Your Company WellAug 30, 2011
• Get Into E-tailNov 30, 2011
• Are You Loyal to Your Customers?Mar 13, 2012
• You Are Your BusinessJun 14, 2012
• Social Media - Making it Work for Your BusinessMar 22, 2013

Renewable Energy

Roly Barrett

Roly Barrett Green Up

Roly Barrett is a Sustainability Assessor & Solar Energy Advisor and Sales Manager of Greenup Australia, a Ballina solar and energy efficiency company. Roly spends a lot of time on roofs across the Northern Rivers assessing solar potential and in restaurants

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• Small Business Tax Break for Solar PowerSep 03, 2012
• How to Avoid an Electric ShockNov 30, 2012
• The Future Looks Bright.. with LEDsMar 22, 2013

Telecommunications

Scott Hales

Scott Hales Barefoot Telecom

Barefoot Telecom has been in the telecommunications industry for 14 years, working in many different roles for a number of providers. He is passionate about providing exceptional customer service and building long standing relationships with his clientele.

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• Communicate The Way YOU Want ToMar 22, 2013

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