worzel

The ABC reports that the govt is likely to double the rebate to $8K (talk a year ago was of it being phased out ). Does it apply to pool heating or does it have to be on household power. How much does it cost in the first place?

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...5/s1916879.htm

Big Galah

I've just read in the Telegraph (?) that it can cost up to 14k, so a big investment, and there's also maintenance and the possibility it may be outdated by the time it pays for itself and you need to get the new model.

Still, burning coal instead of using all the sunshine that falls on the country seems madness, but the main problem is the relative inefficiency of solar cells - they're very poor at converting sunshine to electricity - the solar heating for pools works on using direct heat from the sun to heat water.

If this rebate encourages enough people to take it up then you would hope over time the process will be improved and the relative cost will go down.

Unfortunately, I can't afford to do it right now, but I certainly intend doing so when I can.

Big.

themerlin

You can find a few prices here http://www.energex.com.au/environmen...sidential.html

The Bloke

.....and be prepared to wait months for the department to process the paperwork.......and then eventually get the rebate - maybe.

steve99

They should make the manufacturer/ installer claim it back on your behalf, and pass on the rebate to the customer.

I have two panels on my roof, one works fine and seems to cope with heating the whole tank up but the other looks shot to pieces so im probably going to look into replacing it, I wonder if I can claim any of it back???

worzel

I think solar panels are going to be one of those things all new houses have to have from later this year. I guess the builder will have to pay it and claim it in that case?

themerlin

Nah, we had money back on our solar water heater after a house build, nothing todo with the builder just claimed it after we moved in.

Gjn200

Still a total waste of money. Even with the rebate its about $4000 for 1.5kw.Useless. Only about 20000 hours to pay for itself

worzel

The WA govt has announced it is going to go "green" with a raft of measures for new house builds from 1 September:

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.as...ontentID=27997

worzel

That is the info I was after, thanks. No point in converting but likely to be obligatory on new houses in WA soon.

Neil51

This is the first that I have heard about this scheme, but I do know a little about the systems. Some people on here seem a bit confused:
Photovoltaics (electricity generating solar energy panels) are different to soalr thermal (hot water) energy schemes. Both are quite reliable compared to other renewable systems such as micro-wind power. Solar thermal (in the UK anyway) is now as cost effective as fossil fuels and is an established technology.
Can someone tell me more about this Rebate Scheme, or provide an official state/Government link?
Does it apply in all Australian states, and does it apply to both solar thermal and photovoltaic?
Thanks,

NickyC

We had solar hot water installed a couple of years ago. The rebate was knocked off the top of the bill and there was no claiming to be done at all by us.

NickyC

The current $4k rebate doesn't apply to solar hot water - but solar electricity. There is/was a rebate for installing solar hot water but it wasn't that much.

Here's a link to Origin electricity which has some details.

http://www.originenergy.com.au/home/...php?pageid=174

fnord

Might be worth it when the 3rd generation stuff gets into full swing. Supposed to cost about 1/10th per kW and can be stuck on just about anything.
See this site for an example. Or this one for the OZ version.

nzer57

There is also a few other new break throughs that indicate a substantial cost reduction in the next generation of solar voltaic cells

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4044811a28.html

http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/...4-14870-2.html

Couple this with much more efficient homes and systems and smart engineering design and the capital cost will drop due to smaller system requirements.