Better Homes and Gardens (Australia)
IT ALL STARTS AT HOME
Thinking about installing solar power? The process has never been easier
With factors such as soaring energy bills taking their toll on household finances, more and more Aussie families are looking to solar power for savings and sustainability. Already, more than 3 million homes nationally have been fitted with solar panels. So if you’re considering making the switch, here are some factors to consider.
MAKE IT SEAMLESS
No two households run the same, so there’s no uniform solar set-up that works for everyone. Thankfully, modern installation can be seamless if you work with trusted partners. Sustainability financier Brighte advises speaking with an accredited local solar installer, who can review the structure and positioning of your roof to help recommend the best system for your specific household needs. Energy use is another key consideration.
LOOK AT ENERGY NEEDS
With power bills continuing to rise, energy needs are firmly on the minds of homeowners. And it’s easy to get an idea of yours. First, look at your recent power bills to see your average daily usage, noting it can fluctuate over the year. Then think about how it may need to evolve, say if you start a family. That way, as you talk with your installer about your ideal solar system, you’re planning both for now and the future.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
While the savings potential of solar power is a strong drawcard, one major barrier for homeowners can be saving up funds for installation. That’s where Brighte comes in. As part of its ethos to make solar more accessible, it offers homeowners 0% interest finance and no upfront costs, meaning they can move ahead with installation straight away. Brighte also notes there are currently state and national government incentives. These include:
• Federal – financial incentives through the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme for projects such as solar panel installation.
• ACT – rebates up to $2500.
• VIC – solar panel rebates up to $1400.
• NSW – free installation of a 3kw system for low-income households.
• SA – subsidies to install a home battery system.
• NT – grants of up to $6000 to buy and install a battery system.
PS, any excess energy you generate may also be able to feed back into the grid, earning your home a feed-in tariff payment. It’s another reason to switch!
Find out how you can get solar sooner at brighte.com.au.