SCANNING the streamlined solar panels on
the roof of his shed, Mary Valley resident
Brian Davis looks forward to receiving his
next power bill.
He expects to have halved his
electricity costs since installing a 1
kilowatt system under the Mary Valley solar
bulk buy scheme launched late last
year.
The scheme was the result of a
collaboration between Sunshine-Coast based
sustainable energy company Auzion and Mary
Valley Inc, the representative group
connecting the communities of the Mary
Valley.
As a result of the local promotion, more
than 15 Mary Valley residents like Mr Davis
have joined the ranks of green energy
users.
These users purchased their systems
under the previous federal government
scheme which limited eligible residents by
their household income threshold of up to
$100,000.
This week the government will sign off
on new legislation which removes the
threshold but reduces the rebate on
renewable energy certificates.
Regardless, Auzion managing director
Mark Leckenby expects solar power to get
cheaper and more accessible as Australians
realise the need to be smarter with their
energy usage.
For Kenilworth couple Margaret and Tony
White, the opportunity to help save their
planet was as important as the projected
cost savings from their new solar power
system.
They installed a solar hot water system
some 16 years ago.
When they saw the opportunity to join
last year's Mary Valley solar bulk buy
scheme, it gave them the motivation to make
a decision they had contemplated for a
while.
Both the Whites and Mr Davis were lucky
to have north-facing roofs for
installation, but Auzion can also supply
free-standing frames to allow installation
of panels at ground level with the right
orientation.
Auzion is supporting homeowners who
missed out on the federal government's
solar rebate, by stepping in with their own
grant which means customers won't pay
more.
Mr Leckenby said while the industry and
homeowners were surprised by Tuesday's
announcement that the government was
transferring to the new Solar Credit Scheme
immediately instead of on June 30 as
expected, Auzion was committed to ensuring
those who wanted to adopt solar power
could.
Mr Leckenby said until June 30, Auzion
was offering its own rebate of $2000 on a
fully installed 1.4KW system.
When added to the Solar Credit Scheme
(following the passage of the legislation)
this will mean the cost to householders
would be just $3995.
“All people will pay upfront is $195,
with an option to pay the balance via a
five-year interest-free loan, with
repayments lower than the energy savings
people will get because of the system,” Mr
Leckenby said.
“Our AUZiMAX will enable people to
maximise their energy efficiency and
potentially double the savings they can get
from their solar systems.”
The AUZiMAX is an optional add-on to the
system that will cost just $295. It will be
unveiled at the World Environment Day
Festival at the University of the Sunshine
Coast, on June 28.