It’s solar, so good: new power plan
GEELONG residents will be among the first in the country to hear how they can save on their power bills by installing a solar panel system without any upfront cost.
Fresh from releasing its new ‘Free System Solar’ initiative, ShineHub is coming to the Geelong region to pitch the opportunity through a series of free community forums.
Under the ShineHub offer, homeowners can receive a free solar panel and battery system and in return they are required to pay for the electricity produced by the system at a low fixed price.
Homeowners enter into a 20-year contract that can be transferred to any future owners of the home. Alternatively, the solar and battery systems can be bought out at any time for current market value.
Because the prices per kilowatt hour are cheaper than average electricity costs, Victorian customers can save between 14 and 30 per cent on their electricity bills, according to ShineHub estimates.
Based on those estimates, people who sign up should be getting reduced power bills from the start.
ShineHub is a communitybased solar marketplace that uses local suppliers to install the systems.
ShineHub CEO Alex Georgiou said the Free System Solar plan had been developed to address some of the barriers deterring people from installing solar panels.
These included the upfront costs of the systems and “peace of mind” that the system was installed correctly and would provide reliable power.
ShineHub says the cost of an average system it is offering is $15,000. As part of the contract, ShineHub takes care of the maintenance of the system and will replace the panels or battery if required for the life of the 20-year contract.
The price consumers pay for the electricity produced is also locked in for 20 years and won’t increase.
The program was launched nationally last week.
ShineHub will host a series of free events as part of its Community Solar Program.
Events will be held in Geelong, Drysdale, Lara, Corio, Torquay, Barwon Heads, Bannockburn and Waurn Ponds from May 14 to June 4.
For more details, visit shinehub.com.au/geelong