Household cuts electricity by 60pc by going solar

Ballarat Courier
Wednesday 30/4/2008 Page: 4

SINCE installing a solar hot water system at their Buninyong home, the Boucher household has cut its electricity consumption by 60 per cent. Dale Boucher, who is the sustain ability officer at the University of Ballarat, said the system of "evacuated" solar tubes was installed in February. The tubes heat water which is stored in the Boucher's existing electric boosted hot water service. For this time of year we generally use 23 kilowatts per day, now with the solar hot water we are only using nine kilowatts," he said.

"I have worked out my payback time will be four to five years. Then I have virtually got free hot water for eight months of the year." Mr Boucher said in sunnier he would switch off the electricity supply to the hot water service and rely solely on the solar system.

Installing the solar system cost $1250 after a State Government rebate and a discount Mr Boucher received through his BREAZE membership. The government rebate available varies depending on a household's existing type of hot water service and in July the maximum rebate will increase from $1500 to $2500.