Newsletter Archive

Feed In Tariffs

Progress on the issue of gross FIT (where you get paid a premium for all the power you produce even if you use it yourself) is moving s-l-o-o-o-o-w-l-y.

Late last year the NSW Deputy Premier announced that NSW would finalize its policy in January - we are still waiting.

In the Jan 29 th edition of the Melbourne Age, Royce Millar wrote:

" . . .in a confidential memo, high-ranking officers of Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment have told Environment Minister Gavin Jennings that the proposed scheme (for a net FIT) would do nothing for photovoltaic (PV) solar panel numbers in Victoria . . .

The memo forecasts that under the Government model, only 10,000 solar systems would be installed by 2020. The same as expected with no subsidy!

This compares to 70,000 systems under a more ambitious scheme rejected by the Government. . .

Strange policies when we are supposedly trying to create jobs and save the planet!

12/24V Timer - Special offer

We have reduced our 12 & 24 volt timers from a Retail Price of $66 to $55. It has several programs (eg daily, weekend, work week switching up to 8 times a day)

We also have Motion Detectors.

Solar Cookers

Good news for those waiting for our new shipment of solar cookers - the box-style Tulsi is due in Brisbane approx 3rd February. We are allowing about 10 days for Customs clearance.

Garden/Backyard Night Lighting

Last but not least, if you want to operate a yard light at night on a separate solar system we have a specialist Lighting Charge Controller. It has 10 programs including dusk to dawn, or 2, 4, 6, 8 hours on after dusk.

Grid Feed Rebate Changes - Countdown to 30th June

As with all changes - there are pluses and minuses.

On the minus side - for those earning less than $100,000 - the rebates will decrease from approx $9,000 (including RECs) on a 1kW system, to approx $5000 (all REC's) on a 1kW system. So if you are thinking of enhancing your abode with renewable energy, countdown to 30 th June to optimise your rebates!

On the plus side, the proposed new formulae of offering 5 times the RECs for systems up to 1.5kW giving a rebate of $7,500 (all RECs) encouraging people to look at the larger, more environmentally beneficial option.

Also on the plus side - for those earning greater than $100,000 - the rebates are available for your home, business, club house, rental properties etc. Countdown now to access your rebates!

We will keep you all posted as the final details become available. It will also be interesting to see if and how the gov't can guarantee the value of the RECs.