Couple's solar system panels ahead of rivals

Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday 29/4/2008 Page: 21

A Wollongong family has opened a new environmentally friendly business that aims to make solar power more affordable for Illawarra homeowners. The idea to start SolarSwitch came about when Mathew and Lisa Purvis were looking into solar energy for their Bulli home, but found it was too expensive. They wanted to help the environment, so they decided to start a company that keeps overheads low by specialising in an area of solar electricity that they believe is the most viable form of clean, green energy available.

Mathew and Lisa said the time was right to make solar power more affordable, because Australians are among the highest producers of greenhouse gas emissions in the developed world, producing more than 28 tonnes of CO2 per person per year. About two-thirds of those emissions come from electricity production and transport. Mathew and Lisa believe solar power is the most viable form of clean, green energy available to Australian households because people can generate their own renewable energy without any greenhouse gas emissions.

Less than 10 per cent of Australia's electricity comes from renewable sources. But if Australia tapped into all the solar energy available there would be enough power available to service the nation's energy needs 15,000 times over. Mathew and Lisa said solar power previously was too expensive for the average homeowner, with systems costing $16,000 and more. They said the Federal Government rebate announced in the middle of last year helped, but it still left homeowners out of pocket to the tune of around $8000 for a 1kW system.

But SolarSwitch has halved the net cost of a 1kW solar electricity system to around $4000, after the government rebate, by keeping company overheads low. The business specialises in a 1kW grid connect kit, but still uses the highest quality solar panels and fully accredited installers. "We're more concerned about helping the environment than making big profits," Mathew said.

"We are more than happy to take a cut in profits if it means we can do our bit for the planet." Each 1kW system prevents around two tonnes of greenhouse emissions being pumped into the atmosphere every year. Mathew and Lisa said solar power not only helped save the planet, it also helped the homeowner save money. They say a 1kW system can produce up to 70 per cent of an efficient home's electricity. And if electricity costs rise 8 per cent per year, the system will pay for itself in 10 years.