Solar Power - The New Headline Act!
What a year it has been for solar! Constant chopping and changing to rebates and incentives has ensured that renewable energy is never far from the front page of the newspapers. While it is extremely frustrating to have such frequent and profound alterations to the regulatory regime, at least we can now see that solar power is very much in the mainstream and there to stay.
As we go to press, the NSW government is planning to introduce shameful retrospective laws changing the previously legislated 60 cent tariff to 40 cents, thus cheating 110 000 households out of the income they had calculated to earn on their environmentally aware investment. This means that all the honest citizens who faithfully took up the governments own scheme are being treated like tax cheats or criminals. Shame on you Barry O’Farrell.
The big message that our governments need to take out of all of this is that Australians love and support the renewable energy industry. Every time a government proposes a new scheme, it is taken up with such gusto by the forward thinking citizens of this sun soaked land that it invariably needs to be taken to an early conclusion.
So what is next?
Solar power can still be a very good investment, particularly if you use the bulk of your power during the day. For example, a business which can use up all the capacity of their panels at the time of the power generation will benefit to the tune of their normal power tariff, and as we all know this is set to double in the next few years. In fact, installation of a solar power system is a good hedge against unexpected increases in the cost of electricity. For example, a high quality 3 kilowatt (16 panel) system costs in the order of $13,000 installed after rebates and generates over $1,200 worth of electricity each year based on today’s prices. These savings will multiply as the price of power rises sharply in the next few years.
Alternatively, for the house holder, a well designed system used in combination with targeted time of day power use can have the same benefits. The tremendous growth in the solar sector (over 120,000 households in NSW now have solar powered rooftops), the cost of the average installation has decreased considerable over the past couple of years.
So talk to your local renewable energy retailer to find a solution tailored to your particular situation.
Send article
Related Articles:
Clouds Loom On Solar Horizon
The Penalty of Success
Solar Incentive Slow Down
Solar Power - The New Headline Act!
Is Solar Still Worthwhile?
Tax On Carbon What Does It Mean For You?
Best Time to Invest in Solar Power? Now
Author:
Simon Thomas
Melanie Serone WHK Australia |Welcome
Melanie Serone, Principal with WHK is a Chartered Accountant, Registered Tax Agent and accredited Estate Planning Specialist. Working closely with local businesses is Melanie’s primary focus. She forms part of WHK’s large and experienced team located across Northern NSW.
Here are Melanie Serone's Expert articles:
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.
Here are Leo Senese's Expert articles:
Duncan Purkiss Suncorp
Suncorp, with over 35 years of banking experience and 5 years running his own successful retail business he covers business banking and planning.
Here are Duncan Purkiss's Expert articles:
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.
Here are Clayton Oates's Expert articles:
Claire McGarry NORBEC
Claire McGarry NORBEC, ran her own international booking company for 5 years, alongside a business consultancy firm tailored to the Creative Industries. She has worked as an industry development contractor in Northern Rivers and has a degree in Journalism.
Here are Claire McGarry's Expert articles:
Michelle Dowding NORTEC Employment & Training
Michelle Dowding is the Marketing Coordinator for NORTEC Employment & Training. She has worked in publishing, copywriting and media advertising and has nearly six years experience marketing for the community services sector in the Northern Rivers region.
Here are Michelle Dowding's Expert articles:
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.
Here are Moyra Burke-Smith's Expert articles:
Simon Thomas Sunsparks Electrics
Simon Thomas has been a licensed electrician for over 20 years. His interest in solar technologies was sparked after moving to a beautiful bushland property far from the electricity grid. He began working with solar power in 1995 and established Sunsparks Electrics in 2000. Sunsparks specialises in design, supply and installation of grid connect and stand alone solar power systems. Simon lives with his family on a peaceful rural community in the lush Border Ranges, northern NSW.
Here are Simon Thomas's Expert articles:
Emma Hunter Rous Water
Emma Hunter is the Demand Management Coordinator for Rous Water, the regional water supply authority. She is an Environmental Scientist with 15 years experience in integrated water management, catchment management and stormwater quality planning.
Here are Emma Hunter's Expert articles:
NRBM
T: 02 6685 4516
F: 02 6685 4518
W: Northern Rivers Business magazine
E: email Northern Rivers Business Magazine
P: PO Box 130 Suffolk Park NSW 2481
Northern Rivers Web Design
The Small Print:
Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure
the accuracy of the information in this publication
the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability
for any errors, omissions or resultant consequences,
including any loss or damage arising from the
reliance on information in this publication. The views
expressed in Northern Rivers Business Magazine are
not necessarily endorsed by the editor or publisher.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form, or by any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, internet or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of the publisher.