Is Solar Still Worthwhile?

When I joined the solar power industry back in the 1990s, alternative energy was something of a novelty. The only media attention it received was in Grass Roots or Earth Garden alternative living magazines. What a change now where issues affecting the solar power industry regularly make it onto the front page of the daily newspapers and have become quite a political football in recent months. So what are we to believe? Have government incentives become so meagre that installing a set of panels is just not worth it any more?

Here are a few points to remember:

1. The decrease in incentives has come alongside dramatic reductions in the cost of solar panels so alternative energy systems can still pay for themselves within 8 to 9 years. For example, a high quality 1.5kw solar system may cost around $5,500 fully installed and will deliver up to $640 per year worth of savings assuming the price of electricity does not go up! (not very likely).

1. The much discussed reduction in the feed-in tariff will affect some customers more than others. If you use most of your power during the day, eg for businesses, you will still be reducing your power bill by the amount you pay for electricity. Watch your savings increase with the cost of power!

1. A normal grid connect solar power system does not give back up power, however more and more customers are choosing an upgraded system which can supply emergency electricity to all or part of the building. This gives freedom and flexibility for your home or business and certainty of supply for data, medical equipment or just to blackout-proof your home or office.

THE NSW SOLAR SUMMIT – A FAIR PRICE FOR SOLAR?

The second NSW “Solar Summit” was held on July 1 this year. The concept was to sort out the mess that the O’Farrell government has made of the renewable energy sector since taking power in March. Unfortunately, the meeting was clearly designed to fail, with only 3 of the 30 speakers having any direct involvement in the industry. It seems as though Mr O’Farrell just does not like solar! The meeting was dominated by the pro-nuclear lobby who used the opportunity to talk down the importance of the renewable sector. So, at a time when the industry is laying of 75 staff per day in the state, the so-called summit has come up with ( you guessed it) a committee to look into the issue of pricing solar feed-in power with the only brief to ensure that it does not cost any money. The solar industry urges the O’Farrell government to take a realistic approach and give our customers what can only be considered fair, ie pay the same for their feed in solar as what they pay for the dirty coal fired power you sell to them!

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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