Australia is struggling with one of the worst energy crises. As the prices have already reached record levels, households and small businesses will have to bear the brunt in the form of higher electricity bills.
And who is to say that the current crisis is only a one-off event? Even without the crisis, the cost of living in Australia has been steadily rising. So, crisis or no crisis, more expensive electricity is something that Australians should get accustomed to.
But there is a light (or free electricity) at the end of the tunnel. You can generate electricity for free by installing a solar system and bidding goodbye to the current and future energy crisis.
Here’s what you should know about the current energy crisis in Australia and how SunEnergy’s ‘PAYS program can help you.
1. What are the Reasons for the Current Energy Crisis in Australia?
There are plenty of reasons responsible for brewing this perfect storm. Some of the most critical of them are-
- Global energy prices have been steadily rising since September 2021
- Sanctions on Russian oil and gas due to its Ukraine invasion
- Aging coal plants in Australia that are highly prone to breakdowns
- Rise in electricity demand after flooding across Queensland in February 2022
- Supply chain inconsistencies due to turbulent local weather
While the reasons sure are debatable, there is no denying the fact that energy prices are soaring in Australia. If reports are to be believed, households can expect their electricity bills to rise by $100-$200 over the next year.
2. What If You Cannot Afford a Solar System?
Affordability is one of the most significant deterrents for most Aussies wanting to go solar. But the Federal Government has already introduced a solar subsidy for households to help reduce the upfront investment. And with the ‘PAYS’ (Pay As You Save) program from SunEnergy, homeowners can get solar for the current amount they’re already spending on electricity bills.
The plan has a $0 deposit and low fortnightly payments to make solar energy accessible to all. You start saving money from day one by redirecting the amount spent on electricity bills to pay for the solar system. Moreover, you also have the option to either store the excess energy in a solar battery or sell it to your electricity retailer and receive a feed-in tariff payment.
3. But Aren’t the Feed-In Tariffs (FiT) Being Lowered?
Energy retailers have slashed the Feed-in Tariff (FiT) and might continue to do so in the future too. But it is worth noting that the FiT is only an additional incentive for going solar. It was primarily introduced when solar systems were costly. But as the cost of these systems has fallen significantly in the last decade, the FiT has followed a similar trajectory.
The primary reason to switch to solar is to protect yourself from the rising electricity bills. You’ll achieve this objective even if there is no FiT. More importantly, you’d also be helping the environment by switching to a renewable energy source.
Not to forget that you also have the option to install a battery to store the excess power and not sell it to your retailer. When the electricity prices are lower, you can also charge the battery from the grid. Moreover, with our ‘PAYS’ program, you can also purchase a battery for your solar PV system on installment.
4. Am I Eligible for the Solar Rebate? If Yes, Then How Much?
If you are the owner of your home, chances are you are eligible for the solar rebate. However, the rebate depends on the size of your solar system and location. But to give you an idea, if you install a solar system in 2022, you can receive a subsidy of up to $447 per kW. So, for a even a 6.6kW system which is now less than the Australia average size, you can get a rebate of up to $2,950.
It is worth noting that under the current rebate legislation, the rebate will fall by one-fifteenth every year until it reaches $0 in 2031. So, the more you wait, the lower the rebate will be. You can contact us at 1800 785 765 or through https://sunenergy.com.au/ to know more about your eligibility and how much rebate you can receive.
5. How Can I Switch to Solar If I’m in a Rental?
We can help you even if you’re in a rental home. We can create a personalized proposal for you highlighting the advantages of going solar. You can submit the proposal to your landlord to encourage them to switch to solar.
6. How Can I Reduce My Energy Bills?
If you’d like to see a drastic difference in your energy savings, installing a solar system under our ‘PAYS’ program is highly recommended. If you don’t want to switch to solar, here are some tips to reduce your energy bills-
- Talk to your energy retailer and know if they have a better plan for you
- Switch to a cheaper retailer after thoroughly comparing the plans
- Maximize off-peak power to heat/cool your home and use water heater and other large appliances that consume more power
- Turn off ‘standby’ items such as TV, PCs, gaming consoles, etc.
- Only use lighting in the room you are using
- Install a smart meter to be eligible for time-of-use electricity plans
