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Financial
The Federal Government is still offering rebates through the Solar Credits Scheme to offset the initial cost of solar systems. These rebates will continue to decrease over the next couple of years but you can still benefit from this scheme while it lasts.
The price of electricity is forecast to increase considerably in the next few years. ActewAGL has started the Solar Buy Back Scheme. This scheme will allow you to keep pace with the rising cost of electricity. As the price of power increases, so will the value of the power you produce with your solar system. This will have advantages over a fixed price 20 year contract in the long run. The faster the increase in price of electricity the faster the payback time on your system will be.
Environmental
This is your opportunity to be a pioneer! Like recycling and other energy reducing revolutions someone has to pave the path towards a renewable future and solar energy is one of the best ways. Who wouldn't want to give less money to the electricity companies and emit less carbon pollution? The 1.5 kw system is estimated to save about 3 tons of carbon per year, over the minimum 25 years lifespan that's 75 tons of carbon emissions. This saving is equivalent to the carbon emitted by an average sized Australian car traveling 10,000 kms per year. A lesser known benefit of solar panels is the insulation effect they have for your home. Panels cover the area of your roof that gets the most direct sunlight which acts as a barrier from the sun.
It is well known that commercial buildings have large carbon footprints. While many people are interested in tackling this problem, the capital costs of retrofitting old buildings can be great. Installing a solar power system, however, is one of the few ways a business can reduce its carbon footprint and generate income at the same time.
