The following solar update was provided by the Australian Solar Council on Monday 11th of May, 2015.

On Friday, the Abbott Government threw the solar industry back into turmoil by backing two yearly reviews of the Renewable Energy Target.

This is devastating.

The next RET Review will start in 7 months time!

After 3 RET reviews in 3 years, they want another review in 7 months!

That will devastate every solar business and every solar worker in Australia.

Household solar, commercial solar and big solar completely uncertain once again.

We must stop this from happening.

Please send an e-mail NOW to:

greg.hunt.mp@aph.gov.au [Environment Minister]
ian.macfarlane.mp@aph.gov.au [Industry Minister]
mark.butler.mp@aph.gov.au  [Opposition Environment spokesman]
gary.gray.mp@aph.gov.au [Opposition Industry spokesman]

Key Messages: We've had 3 RET Reviews in 3 years. We don't want any more. Another RET Review will destroy Australia's solar industry, hurting 5,000 small businesses and harming 18,000 solar workers.

You might want to remind Ian Macfarlane that he said this on 27 February "I've offered...a guarantee that this will be the last [RET] review before 2020".

This is deadly serious.

Make no mistake, if the Government proceeds with 2 yearly RET Reviews, the Australian Solar Council will campaign against the Government in the 20 most marginal seats across Australia.

Please send these e-mails NOW and contact your local Federal Member of Parliament.

ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST NOW

Despite persistent efforts from Australia's solar community, The Renewable Energy Target continues to be on the chopping block in Canberra with both sides of Government recently discussing a potential cut of around 20% to the 2020 target. This would not only affect the existing 1.3 million existing Australian solar households, but more disturbingly - the many more millions considering solar for the future.

Solar Citizens  (an Australian not-for profit community group) is continuing to stand up for the solar community by running a new campaign to ensure a strong solar future. To do your bit, we are asking you to sign a quick petition online to show your support. Simply go to www.standupforsolar.org.au  and add your name to the list of thousands of other Australians that are passionate about saving the solar industry just like we are.

The thing we hear from a lot of people is "Solar is solar. What difference does it make?"

It makes a huge difference. 

If you buy an LCD television from a reputable company with a good history, you would expect that you will pay for the quality, backing and service that comes with a good brand; it is the same with solar power.
You are not just paying for the Solar Panels, or even the inverter.  You are paying for:

• Rooftop isolators, so your solar system system doesn't set your house on fire if there is a fault with something
• Specialized racking and support, so the panels are not sitting directly on your roof and have good air flow.  So your roof does not leak or go rusty over time
• Quality wiring to your inverter so the power conversion is the best it can be
• Meter upgrades when required
• Strong performance from a system well designed for a specific physical location; not all locations are ideal for solar power.
• Follow up service.

You should always look for quality when purchasing anything electrical. 

As the old saying goes - 'If you are being offered something that seems too good to be true, it probably is!'

This is a question we are asked daily - "why get Solar Power?". The answer is easy.

• It is helping our environment;
• it is helping to slow the effects on global warming and the consequences of traditional fossil fuel energy sources. 
• Most of all, it will save you money!

It is easy to work out what size solar power system will most help you reduce your power bill.  No matter who is your electricity retailer, they all provide a graph of your usage on their bills.  That graph has all the information you need to work out what size Solar System you need!  The graph will tell you how many kilowatt hours of power per day you are currently drawing/using from the grid. It could be 15kwH, it may be 54kwH - it will differ for every home and circumstance.  Whatever that figure, that is the production rate of Solar Power you should aim for to reduce your power bill.

If you use 25kwH per day, you need to be looking at a 5Kw Solar Power system to reduce your energy bills substantially!  It really is that easy.  Solar Power systems are not the only way you can reduce your power bill. Grid connected Solar Power is just one of the ways SolarGreen can help reduce your energy costs.  We are holistic about renewable energy and constantly strive toward better and more cost effective ways to reduce your power bill, your energy consumption, and to aid you in reducing your Carbon Footprint.

Solar Power is Easy!

5% increase to their Peak tariff
16% increase to their Off-Peak tariff
66% increase in Supply Charge

What does this mean for the average household?

• A 13.6% total increase to the average power bill*
• The average Australian will be $190 extra out-of-pocket*

Whilst it is likely that prices may be reduced slightly with the removal of the carbon tax, we will have to wait and see how energy providers approach this change. Regardless of the outcome, energy will continue to rise and there is no better time than now to evaluate your energy usage. If you would like carry out a review of your household's electricity usage - SolarGreen is offering a FREE Energy Audit to all residents in SE Queensland & Northern NSW. All you need to do is follow this link to our assessment tool - www.solargreen.com.au/energy-audit.

For any other enquiries about ways of saving energy, feel free to Contact Us today!