Queensland Solar Increases 84% Since 2010

Energy and Water Minister Stephen Robertson told Parliament that the state is entering a huge milestone in its attempt to double the use of solar power in Queensland. Currently the state has increased more than 80% in just a span of 1 year.

The state’s additional solar bonuses and schemes were implemented last July 2010 to aid households who want to make the switch to solar power. The bonuses and schemes have been a huge success; the 84% increase means an extra 227,000 households with solar hot water systems, and about 125,000new solar panel installations. The tremendous growth in figures continues to rise daily as more Queenslanders take advantage of the bonuses and solar benefits.

A big incentive of the extra subsidy was directed towards retired and pensioned residents, who have received a $1000 rebate (for the upfront payment alone) and the rest receives $600. This is on top of the existing federal government rebates. In general a solar hot water system in the state will only cost $2000-$3000 after subsidies, depending on the size and the brand of the system.

Minister Robinson said that hot water accounts for about 30% of the total electricity bill of a typical in Queensland and that soalr hot water can slash that figure down to 5%. With only a small outlay which is affordable for many households it’s not surprising how many have taken up the offer; as of this month more than $12 million was spent by the government to subsidise solar hot water alone.

Another big reason why solar hot water has been such a big success in the state in the last 12 months was timing; as natural disaster hit many areas over summer a lot of water heating systems were damaged.  Instead of replacing them with expensive auxiliary powered systems many people turned to solar as a much better alternative.

“This is practical help to assist the many families throughout Queensland who lost everything during the devastating floods and Cyclone Yasi,” he said.

The minister also said that he is very happy that Queenslanders are embracing solar power as a better way to heat water and produce electricity. He added that the state will see more system installation in the coming months as another $32.9 million solar package was recently tabled.