Getting mixed info about the program, some places saying its ended and some places saying its ending. Either that or I'm getting mixed up with previous schemes with similar names?
Also, any advice regarding solar would be appreciated (general advice, starting place for research, how to find trustworthy companies, list of dodgy ones, etc)
current government is uninterested in doing much in the way of federal support
Really? Why should they support with taxpayers money something that is already cost effectiive?
Use the money if it must be spent on other important environmental issues, like dams which can also generate hydro electricity.
My solar installation is motoring along, and will pay for itself in less than 5 years. Without subsidies it would have been 7 years. Far better use of my money than getting 2% interest in the bank, or even 7% in Bank shares.
Notice how every year subsidies reduce, meanwhile the solar ads keep telling us its the cheapest deal ever? And the systems are larger, now around 6kw, whereas those installed years ago were only 1-2kw
That criticism of your post aside, the rest of what you say makes total sense.
Go with a quality installer, not the cheapest one. Look at the panels and what is being recommended. Check with friends on who they used. My provider was a level2 electrician by trade, who spent time working out the best location. In my case he worked out putting panels which got the most sun in the afternoon when the offset on power was at the highest time of use. Even though the morning panels generate about 5% more energy during the day,
So when you use power and when it can be generated needs to be evaluated. As MSK above says, the call centres don't care about these details. plus when the contracted supplier arrives, there are extras that the installer adds because the call centre doesn't quote for these types of variations.
Thanks for the advice RockyRaccoon!
Use the money if it must be spent on other important environmental issues, like dams which can also generate hydro electricity.
The current government just has an interest in paying lip service to renewables. They're only willing to invest in coal and keeping coal stations running.
I agree that we shouldn’t be providing financial support where it isn’t needed, but if it is agreed that renewable energy is a desirable outcome (zero fuel cost/no operating pollution etc.) then all levels of government should be promoting adoption.
This could be via simple things like changing network rules to allow virtual net metering (Local Energy Trading), promoting lowest cost peak or dispatchable power sources etc. and mapping out plans for impacted workers in fossil fuel industries, and answers for people unable to access renewable energy because they rent or are poor.
This means standing up to big vested interests who demand a regulated profit for eternity (networks & generators) or unhindered export of Australia’s resources (LNG companies) who have ambitions opposed to Australia’s best interests. And this needs government leadership, which has been very conspicuously lacking.
Thanks for the advice mskeggs!
I'll couple that with the information on solarquotes
The scheme will wind down over a number of years.
Given how cheap solar is now, it really isn’t as necessary as it once was, which is lucky, as the current government is uninterested in doing much in the way of federal support.
Details here:
http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/RET/Scheme-participan…
Anybody telling you it is ending is trying to motivate you to sign up hurriedly.
Solar installed at competitive prices is a no brainer decision for 90% of homes. Choose a local installer as opposed to a call centre who sell the deal, then sends the work out to the lowest bidder.
Choose an inverter and panels from companies with an Australian office. Both make long warranties more likely to be actionable.