Hobart Mercury
Friday 3/8/2007 Page: 29
HOBART residents installing solar hot water systems will qualify for a $500 rebate on their council rates. Combined with Federal Government incentives. the rebate will cut the cost of a typical family-sized system in half. Hobart City Council yesterday announced the rebate for new installations regardless of their size or cost.
Lord Mayor Rob Valentine said the move was intended to help fight climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. "Tasmania receives as much sun as northern Italy or southern France," he said. "If we can successfully foster the mass takeup of solar technology in the future, it would be a very viable proposition both to heat water and generate household electricity." Local Solahart dealer CGA Tas director Aaron Sommerville said there was growing interest in solar hot water heating.
"For a lot of people it is for environmental reasons that they're going solar - but I've been flat out on the phone with people today and yesterday since the Hydro announced the increase in power prices. "Your hot water bill consists of about 30 per cent of your power bill and you can save 75 per cent on that in Tassie." The Hobart City Council rebate, the Federal Government's $1000 rebate and the sale of renewable energy certificates for $650 cut the cost of installing a family-sized system in half, he said.
A typical 300-litre system with two solar panels sells for about $2200. plus installation. Sustainable Living Tasmania executive officer Margaret Steadman said she was delighted to hear about the new rebate. "We think that incentives for a wide range of energy efficiencies are great - we'd especially like to see one which encourages people to insulate their roof space," she said. Ms Steadman said there was a need for more incentives from state and local governments, which were currently lacking.
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