Community Solar Multi-installation
We are currently coordinating a community solar multi installation and invite you to join.
If you live within 15km of Gladesville Post Office, own your own home and want to generate your own solar power you are eligible to join this project.
What will I get?
Aussie Solar, an alternative electricity provider, will install a 1 kilowatt system on your roof, connected to the electricity grid.
The basic system is a 1 kilowatt system comprising 6 photo voltaic panels mounted on your roof.
System package includes:-
- 170W Mono crystalline panels 25 year warranty
- Grid connect inverter 5 year warranty
- Aluminium roof mount frames
- AC and DC circuit Breakers
- All cabling
- All signage required by Australian Standards (AS4777)
- Installation and Commissioning
- Processing of rebate applications and installation report
- 12 months onsite service warranty
How Grid Feed Solar Works
- Sunlight hits the solar modules which convert the light energy into DC electricity.
- An Inverter converts the DC electricity to AC electricity, the same as you normally get from your electric utility provider.
- The electricity from the inverter flows through your electric meter. When you are generating more electricity than you are using, the extra power flows out onto the grid. You actually run your electric meter backwards, essentially selling electricity back to the utility. At night or when you are using more electricity than you are producing, the grid supplies the needed electricity just the same way as your home operates today. You only pay for the NET amount of electricity you use!
How much electricity will it make?
According to information provided by Aussie Solar a 1 kilowatt system will generate an average of 5 kilowatts per day.
To see how much of your electricity this will provide, check your electricity bills to see your daily consumption. 5 kilowatts is enough power to run for example six 18w energy saving lights for 6 hours, one average fridge, an 80cm LCD TV for 8 hrs and a full cycle for an average washing machine.
Larger systems are also available and the system can be added to later.
What will it cost?
The basic system is $9900. Additional costs as needed are outlined below.
An $8000 rebate is refunded after installation by the Federal government. A payment of $1,000 for the Renewable Energy Credits is offered as a point of sale discount.
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| Basic system installed on standard single story tin roof | $9990 |
| Energy Australia meter * | $396 |
| OR Integral meter | $275 |
| Extra costs if required include: | |
| Tile roof – stainless steel tile roof brackets | $250 |
| Outdoor weather proof enclosure ** | $440 |
| 2 storey home | $300 |
| Tilt Frames for flat roofs only | $200 |
| Extra 3 panels if you want to expand to 1.5kw | $3850 |
| Extra 6 panels if you want to expand to 2kw | $7700 |
| Refunds | |
| Less RECS as a point of sale discount | $1,000 |
| Less Federal rebate (paid to you 6-8 wks post installation) | $8,000 |
* Energy Australia meters are required in the local government areas of Ryde, Canada Bay, Kuringai, Leichhardt, and Hunters Hill, Hornsby, half of Parramatta. Integral meters are required in Baulkham Hills, Parramatta local government areas. If you are unsure Aussie Solar will work this out for you.
** An outdoor enclosure is required to house the inverter in houses without an attached garage or enclosed verandah. The inverter has a computer attached to it and requires a completely weatherproof enclosure.
For more information on costs, see http://www.aussiesolar.com.au
What’s the process?
- Register your interest here on the Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Group website, so that we can keep you in the communication loop (your contact details will be used for no other purpose)
- Download and fill in the application for the Federal government rebate (pdf) and written quote from Aussie solar (pdf) forms
- Mail the application to us by 26 March
- Wait for Aussie Solar to contact you to discuss your needs and finalise your quote.
- Once your rebate application is approved the installation will go ahead (this may take a few months given current demand)
- You will need to pay the full cost upfront (approx $11,000). The rebate is paid 6-8 weeks after installation.
Important Information: The Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group should not be considered to in any way be a party to any contract entered into between a system purchaser and Aussie Solar. The Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group, its members and office bearers make no claim or warranty about the suitability, safety quality or durability of any system offered for sale, purchased, or installed. All matters relating to any purchase or installation are solely a matter to be resolved between the purchaser, the supplier and installer.
Am I eligible for the rebate ?
The system meets the technical requirements for eligibility for the rebate. In addition to be eligible for the rebate you need to:
- Be an owner occupier of the house or unit where the panels are to be installed
- Have a taxable family income of $100,000 or less
Taxable family income is determined by combining the taxable income of the applicant and any spouse in the most recently completed tax year prior to pre approval of the new solar power system.
For more information download the Guidelines for residential applicants (PDF – 122KB)
What are Renewable Energy Certificates?
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are the mechanism for enabling electricity suppliers to meet Australia’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET). They are purchased by suppliers for units of renewable energy created. For more information go to http://www.orer.gov.au/recs/
Aussie Solar will provide you with a point of sale discount of $1,000 in return for the RECS which your system will generate. The RECS are sold on as credit to the major energy suppliers who have to comply with the MRET. The credits are based on a calculation of how much of a contribution to renewable energy your installed system will make over 15 years. RECS are sometimes traded and sold between providers. Some householders prefer that no RECS are created through their solar installation as they do not want their system to assist providers to produce less renewable energy. If you do not want RECS created you can elect to forfeit the $1,000 discount and specify this on your quote form.
Application Checklist
Your application needs to include:
- Community Installation Quote form completed and signed
- Residential application for pre-approval completed and signed ( Pages 2 and 6 only)
- Photocopy of your driver’s license (front and back) to prove you live at the installation address
- Photocopy of a recent rates notice to prove you are the owner occupier
- Register your intention to participate, if you have not already done so, so we can keep you informed about any developments
Mail your application by 26 March to
Ryde Gladesville Climate Solar Project
PO Box 2064
Boronia Park 2111
NSW
Join us
If you are concerned about the climate and live in the Bennelong electorate, please join the Ryde Gladesville Climate Change Action Group supporters list.
For More Information
For information about the system, call Aussie Solar 1300 794 110.
For information about the Ryde Gladesville Solar Project process, email info@climatechangerg.org or call Jo 9816 3594.More Questions
Q: Does Ryde Gladesvile Climate Group get anything out of this?
A: If 30 or more households sign on, Aussie Solar will provide the group member coordinating the project a system to the value of $990. The group member has elected to use this as credit towards the purchase of a larger scheme.
Q: Do I need Council approval?
A: According to the NSW Housing Code: Guide to Complying Development for Detached Housing, December 2008 ( p22)
“Exempt developments do not require any approval under the planning system provided they meet the criteria set out in the State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP). Exempt developments must also be deemed to satisfy the requirements of the Building Code of Australia.
Examples of exempt developments include:-
~ solar hot water heaters and photo voltaic systems”
Heritage zones are excluded from this provision and require council approval.
The State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (Current version for 27 February 2009) contains no additional requirements in relation to solar installation.
For reference, see the NSW Housing Code: Guide to Complying Development for Detached Housing, December 2008 (pdf).
For reference, see the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008 (pdf).
For more information, call the Department of Planning Information Centre 9928 6111.