BREAZE

BREAZE is delighted to now be able to offer "BUY AUSTRALIAN" Solar Systems built with Australian-made Panels (from Silex Solar) and Australian-made Inverters (from Latronics). Silex Solar are the only manufacturer of Solar PV Panels in Australia and offer a 10 year standard Product Warranty (twice the industry average) plus 25 year Performance Warranties. Latronics Inverters are renowned for their reliability and are designed to be repairable as well as almost completely recyclable. And Latronics power their factory with 100% renewable solar power. We are delighted to support Australian manufacturing and to offer householders systems backed by warranties and support from Australian companies.

Now, to make supporting Australian manufacturing more affordable, we are now offering systems built with Latronics Inverters and a lower-cost Conergy-branded Chinese-made panel also with a 10 year warranty. Admittedly, not 100% Australian, but if a lower price helps people buy a system with at least some Australian content, it is better than none !!! (Or we can supply systems with the Australian-made Silex Solar panels if you prefer).

Download our "Buy Australian" System Pricelist. (Last updated: 19th April 2012)

NOTE: More information about systems with Latronics Inverters and Conergy Panels will be available at our next Solar Info Session on Thursday April 19th, 7pm.

BREAZE normally supplies top-quality world-renown German-made SMA Inverters and Conergy PowerPlus Solar PV Panels.  Currently, SMA appears to be struggling to keep up with global demand for their sought-after product, particularly larger models.  Our solution is to offer another top-quality (if as yet slightly less renown) German-made inverter: the Conergy IPG S Series.  Conergy has a name for their top-quality PowerPlus panels.  Their inverters are as yet less well-known but still a top-quality German-made product.  

The good news for you if you choose a 4kW or 5kW Solar Power System with a Conergy IPG S Series inverter is their competitive pricing:  $400 less for a 4kW system and $500 less for a 5kW compared to the systems configured with SMA TL Inverters that appear on BREAZE's standard price list ... plus when combined with Conergy PowerPlus panels, both the panels and inverter receive a 10 Year Product Warranty (5 years more than SMA) ...

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Note: The NEW AND EXCITING GOOD NEWS is saved until the end of this article ...

THE BAD NEWS

The Federal Government "Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme" ($1,000 Solar Hot Water Rebate) was axed on February 28th, four months earlier than the scheduled date.

The Government appears to have done this to avoid over-subscribing the available funding due to a last minute stampede by householders aiming to avoid missing out of the grant (as has occurred at the close of similar rebate schemes). The decision means thousands of households who might have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by making the switch to Solar Hot Water will now be unable to pay the full cost and not go ahead.  And businesses that had geared up to meet that last minute demand will be stuck holding stock they cannot sell fast enough - a classic case of business being hurt when government's move the goalposts as so often occurs in the renewable energy industry.

The "Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme" was available to householders an electric hot water system with gas-boosted or electric-boosted solar system (where the applicant had **NOT** installed ceiling insulation under the Australian Government's Homeowner Insulation Program).  Householders in this situation now receive no assistance.

THE GOOD NEWS

The Victorian Government's Solar Hot Water Rebate is still available for householders wanting to replace exiting gas systems with gas-boosted solar. And also to replace an existing electric system with gas-boosted or electric-boosted solar system (if natural gas is not available in the street) where the applicant **HAS** installed ceiling insulation under the Australian Government's discontinued Home Insulation Program.

THE (NEW AND EXCITING) GOOD NEWS

At least one manufacturer of Solar Hot Water Systems has been preparing for the end of the Federal Rebate and now offer low-cost Retrofit Kits to attach Solar Hot Water Panels to existing electric tanks.  The low-cost of these kits goes some way to compensating for the end of the Rebate.

They also have new "Solar Ready" Tanks the electric-boosted storage tanks that can installed quickly in an emergency but then allow a householder the option to add the solar component within 60 days and still claim the STCs ("RECs") (and state rebates if applicable).  Note that standard electric storage tanks cannot be retrofitted in this way.

And also "Solar Ready" Instantaneous Gas Units that are designed to accept pre-heated water and can therefore have solar collectors fitted to them afterwards.  Note that standard Instantaneous Gas Units cannot be retrofitted in this way. 

For more information about your options for making the switch to Solar Hot Water, including the low-cost retrofit kits and Solar Ready Tanks, visit the BREAZE Solar Hot Water Webpage and/or come to the BREAZE Solar Info Session on Thursday April 19th, 7pm.

The National Centre for Sustainability at Ballarat University is offering the Diploma of Sustainability in Ballarat beginning in April 2012. This a nationally recognised qualification. Many new work opportunities which incorporate sustainability are emerging across a range of industries. Our graduates can be found in a variety of occupations such as manufacturing, retail, child care, building, local government, teaching, horticulture and more, that use the skills and knowledge that the Diploma of Sustainability provides.