Note that the Queensland’s Governments solar rebate scheme is a standalone program that is entirely separate to what the federal government is implementing with added provisions for the Qld flood victims and those affected by typhoon Yasi.

Installing solar hot water in Sunshine Coast properties can reduce overall energy bills by up to 25% and also make significant cuts to your household’s carbon emissions, reducing it by up to 2 tons every year.

Under the federal and state rebates, you can save up to $2500 on the average retail price of a system, broken down as follows: $5100 (average retail price) – $600 (state rebate for non pensioners) – $1000 (average federal rebate) – $900 for issued STCs = $2600. The rebate policy will pay almost half of the system cost for you given that you abide by the following eligibility factors.

1. It is for the replacement of an existing electric hot water system to solar hot water at your principal residence within Queensland.
2. Solar hot water systems must be eligible for at least 20 STCs ( determined by the system output)
3. Installation must be conducted by licensed parties.
4. The system must meet or exceed the warranty periods.
5. Follow the state and federal government’s guidelines throughout the application process to ensure quality and safety.

The comprehensive solar hot water rebate provided by the Queensland government is part of their ” Do the Bright Thing” campaign, which is aimed at reduced power bills, improved energy efficient measures and carbon reduction for every home.

Premier Solar Qld is the Sunshine Coast agent for Apricus Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water systems; enjoy the advantages of the latest solar hot water technology -

• Easy installation by 1 plumber, no roof strengthening or engineers report required
• High efficiency and output reduces or eliminates the need for extra electricity “boosting” in winter
• Local service centres and warranty assessors, no delays!

We are offering great specials on Apricus systems in Oct and Nov, call today 1800 376 527 to book your no-obligation solar hot water quote; Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast to Bundaberg

As part of the country’s Clean Energy Future Package the CEFC’s primary task is to provide a financing source for renewable energy investments, energy efficiency upgrades and low polluting technologies. The CEFC will also be supporting industries that directly affect clean energy technologies for its development and further research.

Investors will also be encouraged about how the CEFC will work; the new sources of finance will open doors of opportunity across industries to reduce their environmental impacts and to save money through various energy efficient means. Chief executive of the Clean Energy Council, Matthew Warren, said the proposed CEFC was a necessary and logical institution.

 According to the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) the combination of the carbon price and the CEFC will be the most economically viable way of propelling and commercialising renewable energy technologies in the country; specifically solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal and wave power. The support mechanism of the CEFC through loans and loan guarantees will create more sustainable green jobs in the country and help fund the necessary transition to a low carbon economy in Australia.

By March 2012 the body is expected to release a concrete plan on how specifically it will work and its primary responsibilities throughout the transition, especially once the carbon tax is implemented in July 2012.

Solar Panels installed onto Metricon Stadium

The new AFL Metricom Stadium on the Gold Coast is the first project of its kind to integrate solar PV technology into a sports complex, which will greatly reduce its running costs in energy consumption as well as the stadium’s carbon emissions. A $4.4 million dollar solar roof has been built on the inner edge of the stadium, with enough solar panels to power 20% of its energy needs. The project was completed in May 2011.

The Queensland government said that the Metricon Project is about more than just reducing carbon and energy consumption; it will also demonstrate how well the technology can be incorporated into such structures. Being an iconic place the stadium will be a great reminder to the public about energy efficiency and its benefits.

Train Stations

Currently the Indooroopilly, Varsity and Richland stations in Brisbane have installed solar panels to improve the railways energy efficiency and reduce their operation’s effects on the environment. Indooroopilly hosts a 5 KW solar power system, the Varsity station has its 2.2 KW system and the Richland station has installed a 10 KW solar PV system. All three stations were also modified to improve energy consumption through passive means like improving ventilation to reduce the need for auxiliary sources.

University of Queensland

The University of Queensland has installed the largest flat panel solar PV system in the country. The system is comprised of 5,000 polycrystalline silicon solar panels, and an 8.4 kilowatt concentrating solar photovoltaic array;  together capable of generating 1750 megawatt hours of electricity annually and reducing the University’s carbon emissions by 1770 tons each year.

The system will also enable researchers to compare how the two technologies perform, and the analysis from the research will be used in future solar project, with the findings being especially important on a large scale basis.

Solar Schools

The Queensland Government aims to install a solar panel system in every state school, and a generous $60 million budget was allotted for the project under the Solar and Energy Efficiency in Schools Program. A minimum of 2 KW solar PV systems will be installed in every school and other energy efficient measures will also be observed.

The program is an initiative of the government to create a virtual power station across all aspects of the community.

Large Scale Solar Projects

Under the leadership of the Office of Clean Energy it has been identified that Queensland is a rich source of solar radiation, with numerous potential locations for massive solar farms comparable to the best locations in the world. With this in mind the government is looking at building a solar precinct, where solar farms are created closely to each other and connected to a high level transmission and grid network.

Currently there are community based solar farms being built in Kogan Creek and Hervey Bay. Both projects will increase the state’s solar capacity significantly and improve energy generation locally.

The state has also funded over $70 million into round one of the $1.5 billion Solar Flagships Program. The 250 MW Solar Dawn project will be largest of its kind, utilising integrated concentrated solar power technology, and will be built 20 km southeast of Chinchilla in South West Queensland.

Our specialist Commercial Consultants are trained in energy efficiency, and during a free on-site visit are able to provide business energy assessments to assess the potential for reducing costs and carbon emissions at your premises.

Premier Energy Efficient Solutions include;

• Solar Panel system and hot water solutions
• Energy High Efficient Lighting – LED Solutions
• Power Optimisation
• Improved HAVC systems
• Insulation and sustainable building products.

As our aim is cost efficiency as well as energy efficiency, Premier Solar provide high quality products with long life spans, and we only recommend change if we can provide an ROI within 3 years or under.

One of the major areas to target for high energy users with power bills of over $2000/ month is Power Factor Optimisation, which is why that is the 1^st audit that we usually undertake.

 The benefits of this include;

• Reducing electricity peak demand
• Reducing costs paid for unusable energy
• Protection against power surges
• Reduction of stress on motors, lighting and equipment for less maintenance costs and longer lifespan.

 We are proud to be the Qld distributors of the Power Optimiser 3000 series range, which has been proven to reduce electricity costs for high users by up to 15%, with an ROI payback of 1-3 years.

What is the Power Optimiser?

The Power Optimiser is a high performance energy saving unit that enhances the performance of heavy machinery, motors or electrical appliances that it is linked to. The unit also has the ability to enhance harvested energy from renewable energy systems like rooftop solar panels.

The unit also serves as protection from power surges and reduces stress on all of your equipment delivering optimum performance, reducing unnecessary energy usage and more importantly reducing energy wastage.

How much you can benefit;

High energy consumers (businesses with a power bill of $3000/quarter or above) can save up to 15% of their ongoing electricity costs through the installation of one or more power optimisation units.

It comes with a money back guaranteed return on investment of just 1 – 3 years (depending on variable conditions).

The unit has a life span of 20 years, similar to a solar PV panel system, and has been proven to improve the performance of motorised equipment like refrigeration, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and make significant cuts to energy bills immediately.

 Premier Commercial is focused on assisting businesses to reduce their carbon footprint while at the same time offsetting the cost of this reduction and any future ETS exposure.

 We can assist you to achieving better energy efficiency and lower overheads through any or all of the following;

• Power factor optimisation
• high efficiency LED lighting solutions for existing fittings
• solar power
• building insulation
• improving the efficiency of your HVAC systems.

Call 1800 376 527 to book your Free Business Energy Assessment with one of our trained commercial consultants

Energy Minister Stephen Robertson together with the Mayor of Hervey Bay lead the ceremony on Sept 28th to officially begin construction on the first community owned solar farm, not only in the region, but in all of Queensland. The project will cover a total land space of 2,600 square meters and will use 1,584 solar panels to generate over 600 megawatts of electricity to power almost 100 homes in the community.

The solar farm is expected to reduce the region’s carbon emission by 600 tons annually. The solar farm is also milestone in Queensland since it is both the first stand-alone farm, and the first to integrate with both the industrial and commercial sectors of the state.

The second part of the initiative is installing an extensive solar PV array at the Hervey Bay Hospital. As part of its commitment to both health and clean energy, the Qld government has funded a $1.3 million 266 kilowatt solar panel system for the hospital to help offset its carbon emissions and greatly reduce its energy consumption.

In projected figures, the system can save the hospital around $20,000 on energy bills and 400 tons of carbon annually.

These exciting projects are an important economic boost for the area which will help to create many new jobs. Also they will serve as a major milestone for the local solar power industry and will have a huge impact overall to promote the regional council’s sustainability campaigns.

If you live in the Fraser Coast region and would like to find out more about how solar panels or solar hot water can provde an affordable solution to manage your home or business electricity bill please call Premier Solar Qld to book your free no obligation on-site assessement and quote on 1800 ESolar (1800 376 527)

The plan is allowing for expected ongoing population growth, and designed to overcome the following issues;

1. To help the city reduce its dependence on carbon intensive energy and oil based fuels.
2. Increase the Sunshine Coast’s clean energy capacity, leading to an increase in related “green” job opportunities locally.
3. Help in creating a more sustainable future in line with climate change and rising costs of electricity and other utilities.

To achieve this the city council will initially focus on three major aspects of sustainability on the Coast;

1. Implement various clean energy programs especially programs related to solar projects to heavily increase the commercialisation of solar power on the Sunshine Coast.
2. Establish a firm foundation for the biodiesel industry in the region.
3. Encourage widespread energy efficiency by targeting council and community buildings, commercial spaces, and SME businesses as well as households.

The transitional plan will be supported by advice from experts in clean energy fields such as solar power, who are dedicated to ensuring a bright long term future for the beautiful region and a more sustainable Sunshine Coast.

The city is also encouraging community engagement through a series of programs and awareness campaigns. The council will continue building on the momentum gained in June from their month long intensive campaign designed to inspire and educate residents on how to reduce their carbon footprint and help to support a sustainable lifestyle for all.

Currently there are a number of successful clean energy programs already well established, with the EcoBiz program leading the way. It is designed to help businesses with a plan to reduce their overall utility costs.

If you are a business owner wanting to reduce your power bill then you might be interested in having one of Premier Solars specialist commercial consultants come out to do a Free On-Site Energy Assessment.

It’s obligation free and we guarantee to save you at least 10% off your ongoing electricity costs, and 15% is quite common……..so if you think that is worth an hour of your time please call us on 1800 797 273 today to book!

The Solar Roadmap emphasises the University of New South Wales and the CSIRO as the being the 2 leading research and development institutions which are working to encourage large scale applications of Solar Power in Australia.

The CSIRO is already providing necessary support for a current large scale project that is breaking new ground; the Moree Solar Farm project will be the largest of its kind, capable of generating 150 MW of energy from pure solar photovoltaic technology. Construction is due to begin early next year.

The road map suggests that the federal government should;

1. Implement a stable policy that will assist investments in large scale solar power projects, including a long term budget and various supportive measures.
2. Increase the country’s solar capacity by planning a volume of large scale projects that will allow the transition of the country to sufficient clean energy use to meet our 2020 and 2050 emission reduction goals.
3. Require related institutions to participate in the government programs.
4. Review local governments’ policies in the approval of future large scale projects.
5. Improve and facilitate grid connection capabilities.
6. Devote government resources to the improvement of data related to solar power.

The CEC’s solar roadmap is centered on the development of stable and firm policies for renewable energy industries, especially solar, primarily because the country already has most of the elements required for the industry to succeed. Our rather slow progress to date with large scale projects is at least partly the result of a lack of consistent Australia wide government policy to guide it, and hopefully that will change very soon.

The council’s strong push for action was brought about by 4 important issues that have been growing over the years but not effectively addressed yet;

• A continual increase the number of people calling Brisbane home
• Electricity and fuel prices continuing to rise
• the global challenge of climate change
• skill shortages across many industries

Under their new vision the city will be focusing on promoting energy efficiency and environmental protection with a theme of “Clean, Green City”.

The Clean, Green City sub program will focused on be protecting and developing our natural environment through preservation of our native plants and animals, limiting pollution, and making the city “greener” with renewable energy and water conservation initiatives.

The primary goals of the program are as follows:

1. To restore 40% of mainland Brisbane to natural habitat – By appointing natural reserves and enriching native plants by planting and cultivation with community engagement and mobilisation
2. To reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 50% – Grants and programs were implemented in the city to encourage residents to install rooftop solar panels and replace electric water heating devices with solar hot water systems……. By adopting more home solar energy in Brisbane the city will be able to lessen the dependence on carbon intensive energy and so reduce the carbon footprint of the city.
3. To reuse 100% of wastewater – The city promotes water conservation and the use of waste water by encouraging the use of rain water tanks and other water saving devices.

It’s encouraging to see the directing of many effective initiatives in a well thought through and comprehensive plan for  the improvement of Brisbane, and it seems promising that the city can expect to achieve its goals as long as it gets sufficient support from the community.

Part of it is the Climate Smart Home Service which allows you to monitor and keep track of your energy usage in real time and continuously.

The state government has allotted $60 million for the program and believes that the investment will prove to be money well spent; they expect to have a collective energy savings of $66 million in the future as a result of the program.

The program started in 2009 and since then more than 150,000 households in Queensland have applied for the energy audit, and the numbers are still climbing. If you wish to get a detailed report of how you can save money by reducing your home’s energy consumption then this is the perfect opportunity for you.

For only $50 you can get a professional energy audit, plus the energy saving package which includes the following.

1. 4 pieces of standby eliminators which allows you to remotely turn off your appliances and save great amounts of energy instead of leaving them on a standby mode.
2. 1 wireless power monitor which allows you to monitor your energy usage and identify what appliance is consuming more electricity than it should be so you can act accordingly.
3. 5 CFL (compact fluorescent bulbs) which consumes 80% less electricity than a halogen bulb and last 15 times longer.
4. 1 hot water system temperature adjustment tool that enables you to control the temperature freely which also aids in energy conservation.
5. Water saving shower heads
6. A Climate smart home guide that provides a detailed plan on how to save energy and water and presents the ideal electricity consumption a day.

Normally this package would cost hundreds of dollars.

The program also includes other steps to help every household to reduce both their costs and their carbon footprint. The entire program was developed on a belief that true long term change to stop global warming has to start with every one of us, and that environmental protection needs to be a commitment and attitude that we all adopt.

Obviously if you are concerned about reducing your bills then your power bill will be high on your list; the right sized solar panel system can enable you to greatly reduce or even eliminate your household energy bill completely, and will of paid for itself within about 7 years.

Premier Solar offers free in-house assessments by trained consultants to take away the confusion about solar, and explain clearly what solar power solution will best suit your home and family’s energy requirements

Our solar consultations and quotes are available in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gympie, Fraser Coast, and Bundaberg to Gladstone

Call us Today on 1800 797 273 to book

A recent study in the United States showed that green homes sell faster, and for more money, with an average 8% to 30% increase in value. This data is also already reflected in the Australian real estate market, and with electricty and water prices continuing to rise more and more home buyers are considering the green star rating of a home as a higher priority than pure cosmetic appeal.

An article published in the Sydney Morning Herald last year says that according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics study, greening your house adds far more value than initial outlay.

The report estimated that on a 10-star rating basis, every star the house went up in energy efficiency it added 3 per cent in value.

House energy rating is done through the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) which uses computer simulations to assess the potential thermal comfort of Australian homes on a scale of zero to 10 stars. The more stars, the less likely the occupants need cooling or heating to stay comfortable.

What is rated?

A dwelling can be rated before or after it is built. The rating depends on:

• the layout of the home
• the construction of its roof, walls, windows and floor
• the orientation of windows and shading to the sun’s path and local breezes
• how well these suit the local climate.

Note that energy consumption by hot water systems, lights or household appliances is not part of the rating because those fittings are usually replaced several times during the life of the building.

What the stars mean

• Zero stars means the building shell does practically nothing to reduce the discomfort of hot or cold weather.
• A 5 star rating indicates good, but not outstanding, thermal performance.
• Occupants of a 10 star home are unlikely to need any artificial cooling or heating.

Typical ratings

Houses built in 1990 averaged about 1 star on the NatHERS (National House Energy Rating ) scale. Before the introduction of national energy efficiency regulations for houses in 2003, less than one per cent of Australian houses achieved 5 stars.

Many well designed houses are now being built above 6 stars or more.

For Home Owners

If you want to increase the value of your home before selling it then you can start today by installing rooftop solar panels and solar hot water system. The combination of the two systems is a proven way to increase the green start rating of your home, greatly reduce the household electricity bills, and make significant cuts to your carbon footprint. Insulation, good ventilation energy efficient lighting and a water tank are also very important.

Not only will you increase the resale value of your home, but the benefits of a solar system is that it immediately starts to pay for itself from its first day of operation; the only home improvement to do so.

Purchase the largest system that you can fit onto your roof for the best financial return; after all what value would you place on a home that can honestly say that it has no electricity bill with normal usage for the next 20 years?

For Home Buyers

If you are planning to buy your dream home which is energy efficient and will keep your ongoing utility costs low then you should remember these key points to look out for;

1. Be sure to check what environmental features that the home has in place (the government is expected to introduce a star rating system for all homes in the future which will make this clear and easy to understand, like the star ratings on electrical appliances).
2. Check if the solar panel system is eligible for your state feed in tariff and if it has been qualified.
3. Hire a professional electrician to check the electrical works of the solar power system to prevent any hazard to your family.
4. Check if the system has a smart meter incorporated to it and if it is still functioning well.
5. For solar how water systems, inspect the collecting ducts for any debris and the water storage tank for sanitary purposes.

With the costs of electricity and water continuing to increase rapidly there is no doubt that reducing the cost of living is of great concern to most families as well as how to reduce their carbon footprint & do their part to help reduce the effects of global warming. So for good reasons many people are looking to live in a home that is as ‘green’ as possible……..is yours?

If not our solar specialists are available to make the process easy for you, with our free in-home consultations and quotes, simply call us on 1800 797 273 today to book!