Along with the boom of the solar industry in the country are some wrong notions and hearsays about the technology. A few are saying that it is not the best way to offset carbon, and that installing one on your roof is a bad idea. However the federal government of Australia had supported solar power more than any other renewable energy sources for a reason and has done extensive research to come up with that policy.
The government’s support and ongoing funding would not be given without the great potential of solar technology, and just recently PM Gillard announced further funding which will be managed by newly established bodies for the clean energy affairs of the country.
It is another proof about how the technology of solar panel can change the face of the country and improve our quality of life.
Financial Misconceptions
There are misconceptions that solar power in the country is not accessible for all due to its initial costs. The truth is Australia has some of cheapest solar panel systems in the world because of the comprehensive bonuses and schemes that the country is implementing. The upfront rebates together with STC schemes will cut upfront payment by almost half and many solar companies offer easy qualify interest free finance up to as much a $15,000.
The great thing about solar panels is that they start paying for themselves immediately, and the reduction in your electricity bill will generally be close to what you are paying a week to own one.
The recent uncertainty in the feed in tariff scheme caused hesitation by some households. However the individual state tariffs are very stable, it is only a question of whether your state is still offering the much more lucrative premium feed in tariffs or only the standard one, which pays about as much for your solar power as you pay for grid produced electricity.
The government is expecting to soon be implementing a national tariff as part of the renewable energy framework.
Safety Concerns
There are reports that a solar PV system is responsible for at least two house fires in the country. However upon further investigation, the house fires were caused by the home’s circuit breakers.
The Clean Energy Council of Australia puts safety first and has released a list of qualified installers and manufacturers not only for the sake of the schemes and bonuses but also for the safety of every household in the country. The listed manufacturers and installers had passed and even exceeded international safety standards.
The government will also be conducting regular audits to inspect rooftop solar panels to further keep households away from any hazards.
Efficiency Issues
There are also reports claiming that the system’s efficiency is not enough to offset carbon in the country and to reduce electric bills. The highest recorded efficiency rating today is about 18%, which may not seem much but at that rate a typical home with a small system can save about 50% off their electricity bill annually and a larger system can eliminate it all together.
Either way you be offsetting enough carbon to be doing your part to reserve a better future for the next generations. The efficiency figures are expected to increase soon as Australian researchers recently discovered a new manufacturing process that will increase the panels’ efficiency to 19.4%.
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