Monday, 16 April 2012

Australians embrace solar to tackle rising power bills

www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
11 Apr 2012

Regional and lower-income Australians are leading the charge towards solar power as a way to address rising power bills, according to new data. Australia's top solar postcode at the end of 2011 was Dubbo in NSW, where more than a quarter of houses (28%) have now installed solar power. Close on its heels was Caloundra in Queensland, where more than 27% of homes have now gone solar. Clean Energy Council acting Chief Executive Kane Thornton said although the top solar postcode was in NSW, it was Queensland and South Australia that dominated the top 20 postcodes across the country.

"As well as being the sunshine state, the Queensland Government's solar scheme is the most generous in the country, while homeowners in South Australia rushed to install solar power systems in 2011 before the government reduced its support program", Mr Thornton said. The official data comes from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator*, a statutory authority established by the Federal Government. It shows that while inner-city suburbs often have some of the lowest rates of solar installation, those in regional areas and lower-income suburbs, retirement belts and some coastal regions have embraced solar in the highest numbers.

Mr Thornton said this suggested those most exposed to rising power bills were more likely to invest in a solar system. "With the price of panels now about a third what it was just three years ago, many people see solar power as a way to save on their energy bills as well as do something for the environment", he said. "We now have more than half a million solar power systems in Australia, but really we are just in the early stages of tapping in to the power of this technology. solar panels are fast becoming the Hills Hoist of the 21st Century". For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Clean Energy Council Media Manager Mark Bretherton on 0413 556 981.

The top 20 solar postcodes nationally** are as follows:
12830  Dubbo, NSW28.0%
24511  Caloundra QLD 27.3%
35211  Victor Harbor, McCracken, Hindmarsh Valley, SA25.9%
46208  Pinjarra, Oakley, Ravenswood, WA24.7%
55214  Currency Creek, Goolwa, Hindmarsh Island, SA24.7%
65173  Aldinga, Port Willunga, Silver Sands, SA24.1%
74280  Jimboomba, North & South Maclean, QLD23.9%
86069  Ellenbrook, Brigadoon, The Vines, WA23.8%
95158  Hallett Cove, Sheidow Park, SA23.6%
104208  Ormeau, Jacobs Well, QLD23.2%
114505  Burpengary, Burpengary East, QLD22.2%
124507  Bribie Island, QLD21.7%
132477  Alstonville, Rous, Meerschaum Vale, NSW21.2%
144165  Victoria Point, Redland Bay, Mt Cotton, QLD21.0%
154116  Calamvale, Drewvale, QLD21.0%
165169  Seaford, Moana  SA20.7%
175095  Mawson Lakes, Pooraka, SA20.5%
185251  Mount Barker, Bugle Ranges, SA20.5%
194133  Chambers Flat, Waterford, QLD20.2%
202486  Banora Point, Tweed Heads South, Bilambil, NSW20.0%

* The Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator was amalgamated into the Clean Energy Regulator on 2 April, 2012.
** Includes all suburbs or towns within the postcode.

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