Renewable Energy for the Home

by Martin Leckey

There are several options for switching to renewable energy for the home. There is solar hot water, green power, and rooftop photovoltaic solar electric power.

Hot water from sun and air

Want to save money on heating your water and help reduce the greenhouse effect by producing less CO2? Then think about a solar or heat-pump water heater.

• A conventional electric water heater produces about the same greenhouse gas pollution as an average car travelling 14,000km each year.
• With a solar or heat-pump water heater a household can produce less CO₂ per year by several tonnes -- compared to a conventional electric system.
• In some places (and depending on the system being replaced) they can pay for themselves in a few years.
• If you live in Queensland, Victoria, some areas of NSW or Whyalla in SA, you can get a government rebate when buying a solar or heat-pump water heater.

The rebate program, called The Solar Hot Water Rebate Program, which is designed to provide rebates for solar water heaters that replace conventional systems for a positive environmental effect. In Victoria, this program is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority (SEAV). A list of accredited systems is available from SEAV. The current list is available from the SEAV website, www.seav.vic.gov.au/solarhotwater.

Choice magazine has put out an article on solar hot water heaters and heat pumps. The article makes specific recommendations for different locations around Australia. The article is available free online at http://www.choice.com.au/articles/PageGenerator.asp?id=100954&p=1.

Green Power

Green Power is electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro power.

When you buy a Green Power product from your electricity supplier, renewable energy is purchased on your behalf. It is distributed to your home through the electricity grid, in the usual way.

By agreeing to pay a small additional charge on your electricity bill, you are replacing conventional electricity with clean, renewable energy.

A National Accreditation Program has been developed to ensure that Green Power offered by electricity suppliers is generated from approved renewable energy sources.

Prices will vary between suppliers, but the price is usually equivalent to between $3 to $4 extra per week for the average home

For example, my energy supplier is Citipower, and the usage charge is 11.48c/kwh for peak power, and an extra 3.7c/kwh for ecopower, which is an extra 32%. Most energy suppliers allow you to choose to purchase only a portion of your power as green power, if you prefer.

You don't need to change your appliances or install any special equipment. Contact your electricity supplier for further information and to apply for Green Power.

Photovoltaic Systems - solar electric power from the rooftop

A photovoltaic panel converts light energy from the sun into electricity. As there are no moving parts, photovoltaic panels are relatively maintenance free. The environmental benefits are enormous Bby installing solar systems we can reduce our dependence upon coal-fired power stations and considerably reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In the past, cost has been a barrier to employing this technology. This has changed with the introduction of the Photovoltaic Rebate Program. The rebate program is an initiative funded by the Australian Greenhouse Office. In Victoria it is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority. It makes the installation of a solar system much more affordable and will assist Victorian consumers to install professionally designed solar systems. Cash rebates of up to $7,500 are now available to householders who install grid-connected and stand-alone photovoltaic systems. Rebates are also available for adding more solar panels to existing systems. For more information please call the Sustainable Energy Authority on 1300 363 744 and ask for a Photovoltaic Rebate Information Package to be sent out to you.

Photovoltaic Systems or Greenpower?

Is it best to install a photovoltaic system or to purchase greenpower? This is a complex question, but Nicolette Boele from the ACF=s Sustainable Cities and Industries Campaign recommends buying greenpower, given that you have access to the power grid. She says that buying Greenpower is a quick and fairly cheap way of sending a message to the market, telling power suppliers that consumers desire cleaner electricity, even if it costs more. Also it gives traditionally coal-based power companies experience in commissioning renewable energy projects, and with growing experience, and economies of scale, the price of renewable energy will come down all the time.  At my house I decided to have both: I installed a 1.5kW photovoltaic system, which was half paid for by the federal government rebate. This does not cover all my electricity needs - the rest I purchase as Ecopower from my electricity company.