Is the Greens new solar power initiative really an incentive?
Nope, that's a big nope.
Come on do the figures Russel, that's appalling.
So the Greens will loan households up to $15,000 at low interest rates to help them install solar power if the Greens get elected & an estimation would save a family $100 on electricity bills a year. Wow, save $100 a year for a $15,000 loan plus 4.1% interest ... really!
Wait it gets worse, they get to pay back this loan over 15 years. If calculated out at a flat rate of 4.1% over 15 years which it wont be, that works out to cost an extra $86.75 a month on top of their power bill for 15 years, all to save $100 a year. You have got to be kidding me. Don't forget your not going off grid here, so you will still have line and units used charged by your provider. Most of your units will be ticking over during the time your panels wont be working for you. What you really need is the batteries to work with you solar panels, but they are very expensive and the Greenies have left them out because it makes their scheme well and truly over priced. Funny that. Without the batteries solar energy wont save you money, it will cost you money. With the batteries it will take many decades to pay for the expense and by then your panels a failing. No brainier man, you should wait until green energy becomes more economical.
I do have solar panels, just two for Solar water heating. I pay them off each month interest free for $119.50. I save that same amount or thereabouts in energy units used - month in month out and the system pays for itself. It will be paid off in three years for a total of a five years contract (might be six) and zero money put up front by me. I save $1434 a year not a hundred bucks, it pays for itself and I put zero money into the Nova Energy plan.
That's what I call a solar power initiative Russel Norman, but you wont put yours or the Green Party name behind a scheme like that , because you did not think of it first. Kind of like Drug manufactures ignoring natural remedies because they can't trade mark it and make money out of the cure. That's why I left the Greenpeace movement back in the 80s and exactly why we should all see right through them now.
My Solar water heating plan is through Nova Energy and would highly recommend it to anyone. Our bill is high each month because we run a Spa Pool which can be $100 extra over the winter months and we found Nova Energy's scheme was the best way to save on energy.
My advise is to wait at least another five years before even considering solar panels for all your household electricity needs, the technology is there now but the price is just to high.
Here is the Heralds story on the Greens poor incentive. Greens launch new solar power initiative
Am I wrong?