As we get closer to summer, the longer, hotter days will be here before we know it. The growing awareness for green energy is overwhelming but we want to ensure that every household in Australia gets the benefit of renewable energy. In these hotter days, most homeowners will soon be turning up the air conditioning, lighting up the grill, and relaxing by the pool. However, this problem of rising temperatures is no longer restricted to summer alone. Global warming has pushed people out of their coastal homes, ravaged forests with fires, and forced humanity to think of renewable energy options.
You might wonder why everyone is just waking up to the need for solar power now? Now is the best time to go green! With climate change looming large, degrading health habits, and an uncertain future at the doorstep of humanity - switching to green energy can help us fight climate change like never before. The daily horror stories of floods and forest fires are proof enough that the time has come for a more sustainable way of life. We already know about the dangers of fossil fuels and how they harm the environment. In this blog, we have a solution. We will talk about how solar energy is cheaper, the health risks of climate change, and what are small-scale certificates.
Solar Energy is no longer the future of energy consumption, but the present. The concept of renewable energy is more efficient than fossil fuels. This is a no-brainer for anybody who follows advancements in the energy business. A recent article in Forbes by Enrique Dans states that according to the International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook, 2020 photovoltaic solar energy is already the cheapest source of electricity in history.
The cost of solar in the future was originally projected to be high. However, it has turned out to be between 30% and 50% less expensive than anticipated! As of 2020, Australia stands third with 17% of total electricity generated from Wind and Solar Energy, according to Statista.
With this in mind, the use of Solar Energy to power both homes and businesses is quickly expanding. In reality, Australia's first large-scale solar energy coverage happened in October 2020, when Solar Energy was able to meet all of the demands of South Australia. PV panel efficiency has steadily improved as the cost of Solar Panels has decreased. With the advancement of technology, the use of Solar Energy will continue to grow across the world, especially because Solar Panels can be installed almost everywhere, including on water!
Health risks are driven by climate change
To quote the Climate and Health Alliance, “In Australia, it is estimated that the adverse health impacts from pollutants produced from coal-fired electricity generation cost A$2.6 billion annually (likely a huge underestimate). The production and combustion of petroleum and diesel for transport is a major source of air pollution that causes respiratory, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Air pollution results in 3,000 premature deaths each year in Australia and costs the nation up to $24.3 billion in health expenses every year.”
Our health is affected by more than simply air pollution. As a result of climate change, maladies such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke are becoming more common. If climate change is not addressed, it is anticipated that an additional 1.4 billion people would be vulnerable to drought each year, raising worries about food and water supply. Extreme weather events can jeopardize agricultural output and devastate houses and natural ecosystems - all of which hurt our overall well-being. An effective solution that comes to mind is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the demand for fossil fuels. This would help to reduce negative climate changes lowering the risk of natural disasters, drought, flooding, and agricultural issues. Solar power is a simple, effective solution to combat these problems.
The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) in Australia provides a “Solar Rebate” based on Small-scale Technology Certificates or STCs. The value of these certificates fluctuates depending on market conditions. While STCs cannot be issued until after a Solar Power System has been built, their value is given as an up-front discount. Any Solar Power System cost you see advertised will include the subsidy. So, while it is not technically a rebate, that is how most people refer to it.
Solar Power Systems are generally granted one STC for every 1,000 kWh of anticipated output between the date of installation and the year 2030.
What is the purpose of an STC? The small-scale technology certificates, run by the Australian government, are a national financial incentive program. These certificates can be used to cover the cost of your Solar Panel setup. Across the country, the average subsidy per kilowatt of solar panels installed is approximately $600. Who doesn't want to save money on something that will benefit them in the long run?
With every passing year that you spend without being a part of the clean and green energy initiative, you might be losing out on significant upfront savings. Furthermore, while STC spot prices have been favorable to excellent this year, will the rewards be the same in the upcoming year? Any drop in the rebate level, on the other hand, might be somewhat offset by a continued reduction in the cost of a Solar Panel.
(If you are interested in learning about solar panels, solar inverters, or other technology, we have detailed information on our blog page.)
The best thing is that green energy is abundant (thank you, mister sun) and completely free! We could power the entire globe for a year if we could preserve all of the sun's energy on the Earth for only one hour!
We tend to underestimate the power of a small change. To lower the need for fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the carbon footprint we need to adopt renewable energy. A single residence that installs a Solar Energy System may have a significant environmental impact. Renewable energy can also help you save money on your electricity costs. Solar Energy releases very few pollutants into the atmosphere. Green energy can dramatically reduce nitrous oxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter emissions - all of which are harmful to human health.
A Solar Specialist can determine exactly what will fit your needs during in-person consultations. For those looking to install a solar energy system at their residence, our solar installers can go over everything with you in detail to assist you in every step of the process. Call our agents today for a free consultation - 1300-946-524
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