Solar PV system prices have hit all-time lows in Australia, according to Solar Choice’s team of Solar Energy Brokers. These solar price declines are due to a perfect storm of factors, including the strong Australian dollar, increased competition amongst installers and manufacturers due to withdrawn subsidies, and a flood of cheap solar system components from China, resulting in a global glut of solar PV system component supply. The price of solar systems has most likely ‘bottomed out’, and is expected to begin rising again over the next 3-6 months, as Chinese panel manufacturers close factories and global supply catches up with demand.

Falling solar price trend over in latter half of 2011

Solar Choice, as Australia’s Solar Energy Brokerage service, manages a network of over 70 installers Australia-wide, representing a broad cross-section of the solar PV installer market. This puts the company in a unique position with a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the industry and and its trends, including which components are used regularly, which ones are in greatest demand, and the cost of completed installations after the Federal Solar Credits rebate. According to the Solar Choice team, prices for most systems have dropped significantly since around June of 2011. The price drop followed the announcement of a reduction of the Federal solar power incentive, as well as the total withdrawal of the NSW Solar Bonus scheme, the program which drove NSW to become the largest solar PV market in the country.

Solar subsidies knocked back across the country

A number of solar industry trends have made themselves evident over the past year or so. The most obvious set of changes has been the steady withdrawal of solar PV incentives, which have been slashed across the board, both on the Federal and State levels. Earlier in the year, New South Wales and Western Australia scrapped their subsidisation schemes for small-scale solar PV. Similarly, Victoria and South Australia have recently reduced their small-scale solar subsidies significantly. The ACT has switched to a one-for-one tariff from a set rate. This makes Queensland the only state that still offers its original solar feed-in tariff rate. In addition to State-level cuts, Federal incentives have taken two major knocks–a sharp drop in the REC/STC price from $40 to as low as $16 (currently around $30) and a reduction of the REC multiplier, which incentivised small-scale solar systems.

1.5kW systems used to be the norm…

1kW and 1.5kW systems were once the staple installation sizes for residential customers. ”At one point in time, the average market price for a 1.5kW system was $2 -$3 thousand ($1.33 – $2.00/watt), after RECs [STCs],” said Henry Walcott, a member of Solar Choice brokerage the team. Following the cuts in the Solar Credits scheme and the drop in STC prices the cost of smaller solar systems jumped temporarily, to an average of $3 – $5 thousand. Prices have since recovered, however, with systems coming in at as low as $1700 [$1.30/watt].

…but the market has seen a shift in preferences towards 3kW – 5kW systems

There has been a general shift in preference towards larger systems, which generate more electricity and therefore offer better returns on investment and shorter payback periods, especially in light of rising electricity prices. ”After the REC multiplier was reduced, we started to see the price for 3kW-5kW systems crash,” said Tom Chapman, another Solar Choice Broker who has been with the company since mid-2010. “You couldn’t find a 5kW for much less than $17 thousand dollars (about $3.40/watt) a year ago–$16,500 at the lowest. Now the standard is about $10 to $12 thousand ($2.00 – $2.40/watt) for a system with good components–a European inverter and decent Chinese panels.”

Even systems as large as 10kW have become significantly more affordable, according to Walcott. “The average price for a 10kW system was $40 thousand [$4.00/watt] a year ago–minimum $30 thousand [$3.00/watt]. The prices were fairly consistent. Now we’re seeing a lot more variation in pricing among installers; highs are what they were before, but at the bottom of the range you can find 10kW systems for for as little as $20 to $25k [$2.00 - $2.50/watt].”

Full system price declines in line with solar panel price declines

The phenomenon of price decline observable even in unsubsidised solar PV prices. Solar Choice’s data are corroborated by research undertaken by Solar Business Services director Nigel Morris, who has been tracking solar panel factory gate prices since September 2009. According to his figures, the average cost per watt of solar panels (not including balance of system (BOS) components such as inverters and wiring) has fallen from about $2.75 to less than $1.00 since he began keeping records (see graph below).

Solar PV system factory gate price index. (Via Solar Business Services)

Why are solar system prices so low?

Competition among solar installers

The brokers attribute the drop in prices at least partially to the withdrawal of the subsidies that had been driving the industry and the stiff competition that ensued. “It’s turned into a buyer’s market. The market had been saturated with the subsidies in place, but once the work dried up, installers had to go looking for new customers,” said Chapman.

This competition has also resulted in a major shift in the components used by solar installers; installers who would at one point in time only offer high-end products have now also taken onboard less costly, lower-end components for their installations in order to remain competitive.

Cheap solar panels from China

Thanks to substantial Chinese government subsidisation (which has recently been the flashpoint in a trade row between US and Chinese solar PV manufacturers), a flood of cheap Chinese-made panels has also made its way onto the Australian market, bringing down the average price of systems significantly. Recharge Magazine recently estimated that global capacity for solar panels is currently approximately 41GW per year, whereas demand is only 28GW–a massive difference of 13GW.

There are literally hundreds of solar PV panel manufacturers in China, most of which are expected to fold in the next 5 years, and 50% of whom have reportedly already ceased production, according to a recent report from Digitimes Research, which quotes the Chinese-language Guanzhou Daily.  (Competition from Chinese installers was one of the reasons cited when Australia’s only solar panel manufacturer Silex Solar announced that it would close its Sydney assembly plant.) Once the Chinese manufacturer market slims down–and as China’s domestic demand for solar increases–decreased competition and elimination of the lower quality panels from the Australian market could mean a rise in the average cost per watt.

A glut of solar panel stock in Australia

The supply of as-of-yet uninstalled solar panel stock globally was approximately 10 gigawatts (GW) at the beginning of the year, according to Morris of Solar Business Services. This glut, like the increased competition, has arisen at least partially due to the withdrawal support schemes abroad. A drop in global demand has resulted in manufacturers selling components at slim margins or at losses, and often to Australia, just to keep inventory and cash flowing. Calculations by Morris estimate that the excess stock now sits at around 6GW. This number is still significant enough to drive down prices. The situation is temporary, however, and Morris expects that Australian prices have either already levelled out, will level out, or will begin to rise again in 3-6 months.

The strong Australian dollar

Underpinning all of the above is the strong Australian dollar, which has enabled the country’s solar industry to import solar PV system components at affordable prices (and is also ironically accused of being a major factor in Silex’s woes). Historically the exchange rate has fluctuated significantly, and it is not expected to maintain its current high indefinitely. A weakened Australian dollar, once the current oversupply of solar component stock has been exhausted, will mean that new components will have to be purchased at higher cost, which will be passed on to end users.

According to Morris, who emphasised the important role that the exchange rate plays in the Australian solar industry, “It is entirely possible that the exchange rate could lead to price increases. If I was a betting man, I would say that the value of Australian dollar will fall again. Historically, it has always been 72c to the US dollar when averaged over a 10 year period. Right now it at an historic high.”

How long will solar PV system prices remain low?

It is difficult to say how long solar system prices will stay at their current levels, but the factors above indicate that the solar installation market is in a temporary ‘sweet spot’, from which it will inevitably dislodge itself–at least for the interim. Payback periods, which based on the current prices available are approximately 5-7 years in states with no or small feed-in tariff incentives, would grow longer with an increase in solar system purchase price, although this may be offset to some degree by the rising price of electricity in Australia. A solar power system is an investment whose value increases with the price of retail electricity, provided the power it produces is used directly by the home.

A note about cheap products

Although it is true that the cost of solar PV systems has been declining rapidly, and that the primary consideration for many who are considering going solar is the up-front cost, it is very important to to carefully consider which components are included in a system. Purchasing a solar system is a decision that a household will only make once, so the longevity and bankability of its components are factors that should should be cautiously weighed against costs by anyone in the market for a system.

Solar still has a bright future

Looking into the long-term future, solar PV will continue to grow and is expected to become an increasingly important part of the world’s energy framework. Even the International Energy Agency (IEA) has speculated that 60% of the world’s energy could be sourced from solar power (both solar PV and concentrating solar power) by the year 2060.

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar Choice Commercial has announced an innovative and unique financing package for customers looking to develop large-scale commercial solar PV projects across Australia. The Commercial Solar Finance package will be a strong stimulus for the Australian commercial market, and is available to Australia’s solar PV industry at large, for projects sourced directly by installers/manufacturers as well as large-scale PV tenders under the management of Solar Choice Commercial. The highlights of the package are: no capital expenditure required; instant parity with commercial electricity tariffs; major tax advantages and conservation of working capital; and monthly rental payments over a 5-year period for qualifying applicants.

The Solar Choice Commercial PV Finance Package

A Solar Choice Commercial settled under the Commercial PV Finance Package: Inverters for the 100kW system at the Blacktown RSL. (Photo by Iain McGregor, Solar Choice Commercial Tenders Manager.)

Available only through Solar Choice and CAFGA

Solar Choice Commercial has entered an exclusive arrangement for the dissemination of this Package with Commercial Asset Finance Group Australease (CAFGA). CAFGA has 30 years of experience in financing Australian business. Solar Choice Commercial is the commercial arm of Solar Choice Pty Ltd, Australia’s national Solar Energy Brokering service, and has been managing tenders for commercial PV clientssince 2008.

A number of 100kW installations under Solar Choice Commercial management have already been arranged and installed using the Package, including 100kW on the roof of the Blacktown, NSW RSL Club.

The Package is expected to stimulate significant uptake of commercial-scale PV in Australia.

Operational Leasing Agreement

The key to the Commercial Finance Package’s attractiveness lies in its employment of Operational Leasing Agreements. Under an Operational Lease, the use of the generation equipment on a rental agreement over a set term is possible without any capital expenditure. Operational leases are well-known to be accepted by the ATO and  have been in common use for other types of commercial projects for decades; for the first time this arrangement is now available for large-scale solar projects.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality is a key component of the Package. For clients sourced directly by the installer, an application is made directly and confidentially to CAFGA. This application sets out the details of the customer and related solar PV project and its components and warranties. CAFGA will vet the installer and client’s financial eligibility, and a finance broker will be available to assist in confidentially educating installers and their clients about the details of the Package.

Read the details: The framework and advantages of the Solar Choice Commercial Financing Package.

A development that could change Australia’s commercial PV industry

The announcement paves the way for accelerated uptake of large-scale solar projects, which promise to be a major growth area for the solar PV industry. The news has created a buzz amongst the commercial solar industry in Australia. Solar Business Services Director Nigel Morris commented that the development is an “exciting … innovative, industry-wide offering that might just make a big difference.” As Mr Morris points out, the Commercial Finance Package, by using the Operational Lease model, “removes the age-old barrier of up-front capital” and will improve the financial security of investing in solar PV on a commercial scale. “This product demonstrates true innovation through it’s ability to simply and effectively sell the merits of PV; as a financially modelled product.”

Angus Gemmell, Managing Director of Solar Choice and its UK subsidiary Solar Selections, was happy to announce the final terms of the Package and has been actively spreading the word of its arrival. “The Package has been enthusiastically received by the industry at large, including the largest commercial installers and all bankable manufacturers.  The agricultural and manufacturing industry have been no stranger to this type of finance package for decades, but Solar Choice Commercial is pleased to announce that this is the first and only finance facility of its kind available for commercial solar PV in Australia.”

For further information and a personal introduction to CAFGA, please contact Solar Choice:

Angus Gemmell, Managing Director: angus@solarchoice.net.au

Iain McGregor, Commercial Tenders Manager: iain@solarchoice.net.au

Solar Choice now has its own electric vehicle–the first of its kind ordered and purchased in Australia. The Mitsubishi i MiEV (“Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle”), will be parked and charging its batteries in the evening in Manly, NSW when it is not being used on official Solar Choice business. Those living in Sydney will be able to see Solar Choice’s new wheels cruising around the city. In addition to being CO2 emissions-free, the i MiEV is also noise-free: Although its decals and odd shape make it hard to miss when it drives past on the street, the vehicle makes virtually no sound while in operation, proving disconcerting for driver and pedestrians alike.

The first 100% Electric Vehicle in Australia produced for the mass market

Solar Choice Mitsubishi i Miev

The above claim to having ‘Australia’s first 100% electric vehicle’ does come with some qualification: Solar Choice’s i MiEV is the first volume-produced Electric Vehicle (EV) ordered and sold on Australian soil. Although other models of EVs (such as the high-end Tesla roadster) have already arrived in Australia, the i MiEV is the first EV on the Australian market that has been mass produced and is relatively affordable. At around $50k AUD, it isn’t as cost-competitive as a many cars on the market (although the price will doubtless come down as EVs become more common), but the car offers significant savings on the cost of fuel. i-MiEV owners will save hundreds or thousands of dollars in petrol per year, as the vehicle can be charged overnight on off-peak rates of 6c/kWh, totalling less than $1, on which the vehicle can be driven for up to 160km.

Features of the Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Solar Choice EV at Ocean Care Day 2011 in Manly, NSW. (Photo credit: Robynne Millward of Manly Environment Centre.)

The i MiEV has a number of features that make it innovative and allow it to be emissions-free while driving. The most vaunted of these features are the following:

-High-capacity, high-energy density litium-ion batteries means versatility in fuel sources. Having batteries instead of a fuel tank means that electricity is drawn from the electrical grid. In Australia, this of course means that power is ultimately sourced from fossil fuels (i.e. coal), but even taking this into account, the i MiEV only produces 30% of the emissions of a standard petrol-powered car of the same size. What’s more the electricity that charges its batteries need not necessarily come from the grid–if the car is charged using only a solar car port, or during the day at a home with large solar power array, for instance, then the electricity powering the car will be totally CO2 emissions-free.

Mitsubishi i MiEV electric vehicle charging station. (Image from http://global.ev-life.com/.)

-A 3-way battery charging system: two slow-charge modes (100V and 200V, 7-14 hours charge time) which can be accessed via any conventional home or car park power point, and one fast-charge mode which can have the ‘tank’ 80% full in 30 minutes using a specialised EV charger not yet widely available in Australia.

-Unusual chassis layout: The i MiEV is the 100% electricity-powered version of the Mitsubishi i, the company’s innovative and popular ‘minicar’ with an unusual ‘rear-midship’ design–its engine sits underneath the rear seat of the car, as opposed to in the front under the bonnet. This feature of the i’s design made it ideal for the placement of the batteries required to power the EV version’s electric engine. The fact that the i MiEV’s engine is powered by its battery as opposed to petrol allows it to be much smaller than it would be with otherwise–conveniently leaving room for all the parts that cannot be found in conventional automobiles–an inverter, a charger, and the battery bank.

-A small, high-efficiency motor that takes up much less space–and provides more torque–than a petrol-fired engine of comparable size. The i MiEV has surprisingly good pick-up for car with such a small engine!

A dial above the spedometer on the i MiEV's dashboard indicates when the car is using deceleration power to charge the engine. (Image from http://global.ev-life.com/.)

-Regenerative charging: The i MiEV’s re-channels the power produced in rolling downhill and braking to charge the car’s battery. The energy produced during long descents, for instance, can be seen on a ‘power meter’ on the car’s dashboard.

Are Electric Vehicles the future of personal transportation?

Solar Choice’s EV may be one of the first of its kind on the road in Australia, but as production capacity and demand for similar vehicles increases globally, they will undoubtedly cease to garner much attention. Much like the Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid went from head-turner to commonplace since its introduction in 1997, emission-free cars like the i MiEV, in an ideal world, will become a common sight. In fact, Chevrolet/Holden, Ford, and Nissan, plus a handful of other companies all have EV models in their product lines.

City of Sydney Solar Powered Electric Car (Photo: Minnie Bye)

In addition to replacing fossil fuel-based automobiles from the road, EVs could potentially revolutionise the way that electricity is stored and distributed in the grid, and make the relatively erratic nature of renewable energy production harnessable–if there were thousands or millions of EVs in operation in a nation, resting cars’ batteries could be used as a repository for electricity produced from solar power systems, and owners could be paid for the electricity drawn from their cars’ batteries into the grid at peak demand times. Technology like this is still a long way off, and will require a fair amount of forward-planning by governments and/or private grid owners–so let’s not hold our breath. Some private enterprises are already looking into ways to make this vision a reality: as we have written previously, developing grid infrastructure to accommodate renewables is one of the aims of companies like Better Place.

The Solar Choice team around the new i MiEV electric vehicle

Written by James Martin

Solar Choice Analyst

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Resources and Links:

Mitsubishi’s i MiEV portal page

See the article about Solar Choice’s new ride in the Manly Daily.

Related Solar Choice blog articles: Ford and Sunpower team up for Solar EV charging stations, Better Place: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations : Solar-Powered Carports

Solar Choice is currently organising a Solar Community in Mackay, Queensland. If you are a resident of the Mackay local government area, now is your chance to take advantage of a special bulk discount rate on a solar power system using the power in numbers of your local community. The Solar Choice staff are experienced in setting up and running solar communities in other areas of Queensland–notably around Gympie, Bundaberg, and Hervey Bay–and is able to negotiate with a range of local, regional, and national installers to broker the best possible deal for the local community. Inquire about getting solar power and joining the Mackay Solar Community today!

An Opportunity knocks: Solar Power Installations for Mackay, Queensland

Solar communities are not always a readily available option for regional areas, which have a much smaller number of solar energy system installers than highly-populated urban centers tend to do. Some Queensland solar installers may charge travel fees when called out for one-off installations. With the establishment of a Solar Community, however, this hurdle will be overcome as greater numbers make it more worthwhile for solar installers to travel the distance.

Mackay, as the recipient of state government funding for energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives, is already well on its way to having a name as renewable energy hotspot for the region and the country. A $9m investment has been made in Mackay Sugar’s Racecourse Mill through the Queensland Renewable Energy Fund, which provides $50m of funding for renewable initiatives across the state. The Sugar Mill project will use bagasse (sugar cane waste) to enable the plant to be self-sufficient for energy, as well as export enough power to the local electricity grid to supply approximately 30% of the city’s energy needs for nearly the entire year.

This sugar mill maybe  a government-sponsored initiative, but Mackay stands to make a name for itself by also turning up the solar and making itself the most renewables-powered local government area in the State, and possibly the country.

What is the Mackay Solar Community, and how will I get a discount on solar power?

The Mackay Solar Community is a collection of Mackay residents who have pooled their collective bargaining power to in order to get discounted rates on solar power systems from installers in the region. Solar Choice will enter negotiations with a number of solar power installers to determine which is able to offer the best combination of components and prices. The installer network may be comprised of both local and national installers, and each individual household will be able to choose which installer and system is most appropriate for their needs.

Interest in the Mackay Solar Community

Solar Choice Solar Communities Manager Tom Chapman has been in touch with a number of potential solar community participants in the Mackay region, and so far interest is registering high, with over 75% indicating that they would be interested in taking part. If you are interested, please email Mackay Solar Community Organiser Henry Walcott (henry@solarchoice.net.au) to express your interest in the community.

Solar Power in Mackay: Federal Solar Rebate Discounts and Credits

Mackay (postcode 4740) is located in the Renewable Energy Certificate zone 3. Its location in this zone determines how much the discount will be under the Federal Solar Rebate and Solar Credits Schemes.

In short, the Solar Rebate scheme is a Federal Government program in which large polluting entities are legally required to buy and submit a set number of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), also known as Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) to offset their carbon emissions. STCs are created every time a small-scale generation unit such as a solar power system is installed, and the owner of the system may sell these credits for an upfront discount on their system, or hold on to them to sell them later. As they are sold on a market, the STC price fluctuates with supply and demand, although some installers may guarantee a set price.

The Solar Credit Scheme multiplies the STCs applied to the first 1.5kW worth of a system’s capacity by 3. All the capacity installed above 1.5kW will receive STCs as they are normally calculated. (For more information, please see our Solar Rebates and Credits page.)

*Based on STC price of $29

Queensland Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff makes solar energy a good investment for Mackay

On top of federal rebates, Mackay residents will able to tap into the state’s Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff scheme. The Queensland Solar Feed-in Tariff is the most generous program left standing in Australia at the moment–at 44c/kWh, is nearly twice as much as the next best rate offered by Victoria–25c/kWh. The Queensland FiT is not slated to conclude anytime soon, but state a state legislative assembly election may be held anywhere between the end of 2011 and April or June 2012, and if there is a swing away from the current Labour party rule, the solar feed-in tariff may be repealed. Read about the eligibility requirements for the Queensland Solar Bonus Feed-in Tariff Scheme.

Electricity prices in Queensland are also expected to rise in the near future, making solar a smart financial choice, especially under the 44c/kWh feed-in tariff. The current domestic price for electricity under Tariff 11 Domestic is 22.759c/kWh, approximately half of what the government is currently offering for each kWh of solar power fed into the electricity grid.

More information:

Read about solar PV system prices in Mackay

Read more articles about Solar Power in Queensland

For more information about joining the Mackay Solar Community, please fill out the Solar Quote Comparison form to the right of this page, call us on 1300 78 72 73, email the Mackay Solar Community organiser Henry Walcott (henry@solarchoice.net.au) with the subject line “Mackay Solar Community”.

Top image via Wikipedia

Sustainable House Day (SHD) has taken place every September since 2001. 2010 saw a record 272 homes open their doors to SHD volunteers and over 40,000 local community members with an interest in learning more about how sustainability can be practicably implemented in day-to-day living. Solar Choice will be taking part in the Sustainable House Day 2011 event, for which over 300 homes across Australia are expected to be available for public viewing. A number of informative events at community centres are also planned, including an Info Fest at the Redfern Town Hall, where Solar Choice will have a stand.

(Get a free comparison of solar quotes from installers in your area, anywhere in Australia.)

What is Sustainable House Day?

Sustainable House Day is an initiative of the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES), a not-for-profit solar industry peak organisation that is a vocal advocate of residential and commercial solar power throughout Australia. It is a free event–there is no cost to participate.

The original intention of SHD, however, was to promote solar power as one important aspect of the whole panoply that need attention in any holistic and practical approach to sustainability: all types of renewable energy, recycling, efficient water use, and the overall reduction of a home’s environmental impact. Houses on display include actual residences as well as demo/display houses; this year one sustainable strata block will also be taking part.

The SHD experience for households, volunteers, and visitors alike is meant to be fun and informative, and contribute to local community awareness of sustainable living. SHD gives people the opportunity to have a peek inside households that have been designed, built, or fitted specifically with sustainability in mind–whether this means solar panels, low-impact building materials, grey and blackwater recycling, or home food production.

Solar Choice stall at Sustainable House Day Info Fest, Redfern Town Hall

Solar Choice Commercial Tenders Manager and other staff will be giving a presentation around 1pm at Redfern Town Hall for the SHD Info Fest. We would be happy to have a chat with you about options for solar power in your area.

Sustainable House Day participants and events in your area

Sustainable House Day 2011 will take place on 11 September from 10am-4pm in households and centres throughout Australia. The SHD website has a list of the homes on display as well as a list of SHD-day related events, searchable by region.

Promotions for Sustainable House Day 2011 are being handled by sustainability social networking and directory site Shmeco.

Written by James Martin

Analyst

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Word has just come in that Commercial Solar Tenders Manager Iain McGregor successfully crossed the English Channel on 20 August 2011–propelled only by his own arms and legs. In the end, the swim took 15 hours and 14 minutes, falling within the 12-16 hour time range that was initially anticipated. “All I can say is that this was by far and away the most gruelling physical activity with the biggest roller-coaster of emotions that I have ever done,” said McGregor in an email to the Solar Choice staff in Manly and Solar Selections staff in London.

The crossing began at 2am, with the sky still dark and the water undoubtedly chilly at best. To protect against the effects of the cold, McGregor was slathered in animal fat (which later proved difficult to remove).

The 40-50 thousand-swimstroke journey was punctuated a magestic sunrise, a snack break, strong currents, and numerous encounters with ferries and freighters making their own paths across the water.

An exhausted and uncharacteristically silent McGregor was pulled from the water and into a rubber raft after arriving on the French shore south of Calais. He was ferried back to England shortly afterwards.

The Solar Choice and Solar Selections staff would like to offer Iain a hearty congratulations.

-A Picassa photo album documenting Iain’s feat has already been uploaded to the web by a mate of Iain’s. The photos in this article are borrowed from here. (Thanks Gaetan!)- 

Written by James Martin

What kind of service can you expect after you fill out a request form for solar quotes from the installers in your area or place an inquiry with Solar Choice? First, you will be sent a solar quote comparison with a list of trusted solar installers who operate in your area. Soon afterwards, you will receive correspondence from one of Solar Choice’s solar energy brokers, who will go through your options and incentives. The following is a walk-through of how this is done.

• Explain what we do: Your broker will explain that we provide impartial advice and have options to cover the full spectrum of different types of installers- we are here to sit alongside you and narrow down the list of installers to find one for them that best suits their needs; we are able to broker a better discount than the installer can publicly disclose; best of all- we are a 100% free service for you.

• Find out how much research you have done so far: By doing so, your broker will gauge what questions to ask first and what to focus on in their conversation with you, making the wisest use of your time.

• Look at roof measurement and discuss energy bills to determine what size system is best for your individual, location, home and energy usage situation.

• Discuss incentives: State-by-State Solar Feed-in Tariffs and federal government solar credits and rebates (RECs, or STCs).

• NOTICE: The Victoria 60c/kWh premium solar feed-in tariff scheme is close to capacity (as of 12 August, 2011), and the South Australia feed-in tariff will stop accepting applications on 30 September, 2011. Request a solar quote comparison to see what deals are on in your state now!

• Tell you about application deadlines for incentive schemes in your state on the federal level.

• Discuss the future upward trajectory of energy prices Australia-wide in the near future, and how this is factored in when talking about pay-back or returns on investment.

• Ask you if you are happy to have contact from our installers. (If the answer is no, your number and contact details will be removed from your file and you will initially only deal with Solar Choice directly.)

• Send you your consolidated quote via email. You will then be able to see installers terms and conditions. Your broker will send you a consolidated quote once you have narrowed down the choices that are best for you.

• If you are not ready to proceed with any installer at this point in time, we will look to set a future date to discuss the project.

Click for an example of the personalised service provided by Solar Choice brokers.

We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Written by Justine O’Neill

Residential Sales Manager, Solar Choice

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

Solar Choice Commercial Tenders Manager Iain McGregor has been gearing up over the past six 6 months in preparation for a swim across the English Channel, to take place between 21 and 25 August, 2011, depending on weather conditions. He expects the crossing to span anywhere from 35-40 kilometers and take between 12-16 hours, depending on currents and tides.

His decision to span the icy waters, which has inspired Solar Choice staff, yesterday earned him an impressive photo shoot in the Manly Daily.

“Life certainly shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage, and this bold venture befits your approach to life generally, and the pioneering drive by which you take on the Australian solar industry,” said Angus Gemmell, Solar Choice Managing Director, about Iain’s challenge.

In a disclaimer about the photos, McGregor commented, “Please note I had to bulk up for this swim and the extra weight will keep me warm in the cold channel waters.”

His plan to cross the waters are not merely for the sake of self-challenge; his swim will raise funds and awareness for the Fragile X Association of Australia, a not-for profit organisation that supports people with fragile X syndrom and their families.

There will be no goodbye drinks for Iain, who is under a strict training regimen that prohibits him from drinking alcohol. Instead, the celebrations will have to take place upon his triumphant return.

In the meantime, the Solar Choice staff will certainly feel his absence from the office.

Written by James Martin

Analyst

© 2011 Solar Choice Pty Ltd

A massive rooftop solar power project developed and managed by Solar Choice has recently been completed in Derby, Western Australia. The owner of the shed is a WA businessman who recognised the long-term investment value of a this commercial-scale solar project, especially in the face of expected rising electricity prices nation-wide.

80kW worth of thin-film solar photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof of a commercial shed with a shallow pitch. Thin-film panels, which have a high heat tolerance compared to traditional crystalline silicon cells, will avoid significant production losses due to the extreme temperatures that the region is prone to. Derby’s tropical location also means that the sun’s position varies throughout the year–north of the rooftop in the summer, and south of the rooftop in the winter. This makes the shed’s east-west orientation ideal for solar irradiation throughout the year.

Solar Choice Commercial manages the tender process for a wide diversity of large-scale solar power projects throughout Australia, including for mining companies, restaurant groups, shopping centres, and rural solar farms. For professional management and consultancy on your solar energy project, contact our Commercial Tenders Manager, Iain McGregor, on 1300 78 72 73 for more information.