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LATEST NEWS: LAST CHANCE TO RECEIVE CURRENT GOVERNMENT INCENTIVES.
As explained in a recent BREAZE "Solar Electrcity News" article, as of July 1st 2012, the Federal Government is cutting back the upfront incentive available under the Solar Credits Scheme when installing a Solar Power System. Currently, a 1.5kW System receives an incentive of about $2,000, a 3kW System about $2,500 and a 5kW System about $3,400. From July 1st, depending on the Government's decision, the value of the upfront incentive fall by between about $700 and $1,400 per system regardless of system size.
There is no reason to panic, as the long term price trend for Solar Power Systems in downwards (assuming the Australian Dollar stays high - something that we cannot guarantee !!!), but if you are thinking of putting in a system in the short to medium term, you would be foolish to do it on July 1st when you could have done it on May 1st !!!!!
We previously ask that all solar system orders were received by Friday May 4th to ensure we were able to meet the deadline for installation by June 30th. Luckily, some materials have become available earlier than expected, allowing us to extend the cut-off date until May 17th.
If you want BREAZE to get a system installed for you with the current level of upfront incentive, we need your order by Thursday May 17th 2012 so we can meet the deadline.
TO SOURCE A SOLAR POWER SYSTEM THROUGH BREAZE, YOU NEED TO:
1) Understand that we supply systems built with high quality panels and inverters installed by local installers.
2) Download our current Pricelists: Premium Solar Power System Price List, Standard Solar System Pricelist.
3) (Assuming you are genuinely interested) Download, complete and submit our Solar Electricity Installation Questionnaire to arrange a free property appraisal. (No tyre-kickers please as we need to devote time to helping people who want to install now get over the line before the deadline).
4) Understand the Step-by-Step Timeline of what to expect from Inspection to Installation.
5) Call Meredith or Simon at the BREAZE Office on 5329-1732 or email
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if you have any questions.
LATEST NEWS: PRICE REDUCTIONS FOR "BUY AUSTRALIAN" SOLAR SYSTEMS
BREAZE is delighted to now be able to offer "BUY AUSTRALIAN" Solar Systems built with Australian Panels (from Silex Solar) and Australian 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.
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 !!! And we can supply systems with the Australian-made Silex Solar panels if you prefer.
Download our "Buy Australian" System Pricelist. (Last updated: 17th April 2012)
NOTE: Pricing for systems with Latronics Inverters and Conergy Panels will be announced at our next Info Session on Thursday March 29th, 7pm.
LATEST NEWS: PRICES REDUCTIONS FOR 4kW AND 5kW SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS
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) ...
Email
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for more information ...
LATEST NEWS: FREE SOLAR INFORMATION SESSION
BREAZE will be running a Solar Information Sessions on 19th April 2012. Come and hear about how you can make an informed choice when purchasing a Solar Power System (or Solar Hot Water System). Learn what size of system you need to match your objectives to reduce carbon emissions or your (rising !!!) electricity bills. Learn about government incentives: upfront discounts available under the Solar Credits Scheme and Feed-in Tariffs. Understand how much electricity you might realistically sell back to the grid under the Feed-in Tariff legislation and how that affects the payback period for your system.
WHERE: Smart Living Ballarat Centre (in the Mining Exchange Building, 14 Lydiard St North).
DATE: Thursday April 19th 2012
7:00pm Solar Hot Water
7:45pm Energy-Efficient LED Lighting
8:00pm Solar Electricity
We would appreciate an RSVP via email to
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. Thanks
WHY BUY A SOLAR POWER SYSTEM ???
Generating your own renewable energy at home will reduce your greenhouse gas emissions helping us work together to prevent dangerous climate change. And it will hopefully reward you by insulating you against rising electricity prices.
"Up to 2015, under any plausible scenario, power prices will double."
Paul Simhauser, AGL Chief Economist (From the Australian Financial Review, 8 Feb 2011)
SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH BREAZE
PREMIUM SOLAR SYSTEMS built with High-quality German-made Conergy PowerPlus Solar PV Panels backed by 10 year Product and 25 year Performance Warranties and Conergy IPG S Series Inverters backed by a 10 year Product Warranty.
Download our Premium Solar System Pricelist. (Last updated: 18th April 2012)
STANDARD SOLAR SYSTEMS built with High-quality Conergy-branded Solar PV Panels backed by 10 year Product and 25 year Performance Warranties and Conergy IPG S Series Inverters or Australian-made Latronics Inverters backed by a 5 year Product Warranty.
Download our Standard Solar System Pricelist. (Last updated: 18th April 2012)
"BUY AUSTRALIAN" SOLAR SYSTEMS built with Australian Panels (from Silex Solar) and Australian Inverters know for their reliability (from Latronics).
Download our "Buy Australian" System Pricelist. (Last updated: 17th April 2012)
Are you looking for SOLAR SYSTEMS at an ABSURDLY LOW BARGAIN BASEMENT PRICE ??? We want to see the uptake of renewable energy such as Solar Electricity spread throughout the community. For this reason we are wary of low-cost LOW-QUALITY panels that are not built to last the 20 to 30 years that a householder should rightfully expect from their system. We fear that the failure of cheap systems will damage the reputation of solar electricity unjustly. You shouldn't be surprised if a DVD player from a $2 Shop fails within a year ... Solar Panels are an electronic device just like a DVD player !!! We prefer quality German and Australian made equipment backed by warranties from companies with brands to protect. If you are on a budget, we have successfully installed systems made with lower cost re-branded equipment that German companies are willing to put their brand on and back the warranties for. If our pricing for German and Australian systems does not suit your budget ask us about Budget Options ... but if you want to pay an ABSURDLY LOW price, you might be better approaching another supplier ...
ABOUT THE BREAZE SOLAR ELECTRICITY PROJECT
BREAZE has helped hundreds of householders in Ballarat and the region take personal action to avert a climate challenged future by sourcing and installing quality Solar Electricity Systems.
Pictures of Happy Householders with their Panels and Inverters installed by BREAZE.
We are proud that we have helped these householders reduce demand for the electricity from Victoria's emissions-intensive coal-fired power stations.BREAZE sources high-quality solar panels and inverters backed by solid warranties: see below for system dimensions, system pricing and how to participate ....BREAZE has helped hundreds of householders in Ballarat and the region take personal action to avert a climate challenged future by sourcing and installing quality Solar Electricity Systems.
People interested in taking part in the BREAZE Solar Electricity Project can find all the necessary information and forms on this page.
IN A HURRY ??? JUST NEED THE BASIC INFO ???
We hope you find time to slow down, but if you are in a hurry, all you need to do is:
1) Understand that we supply systems built with High-quality German-made Solar PV Panels that are backed by a solid 10 year Product Warranty and 25 year Performance Warranty and World-renown German-made SMA inverters. They are installed by local installers. And we are available to talk over your options until you are satisfied that you are making a decision to buy a system that is right for your household.
2) Download our current Pricelists: Premium Solar Power System Price List., "Buy Australian" System Pricelist
3) Download, complete and submit our Solar Electricity Installation Questionnaire to arrange a free property inspection.
4) Understand the Step-by-Step Timeline of what to expect from Inspection to Installation.
5) Call Meredith or Simon at the BREAZE Office on 5329-1737 or email
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if you have any questions.
We do recommend reading the rest of the detailed information on this page (Consider: whether there is room on your roof !!!, planning permits, the timeline of what to expect, etc ...) and if possible attending one of our free public presentations about solar electricity (and solar hot water and ventilation systems !!!) --- see below for more info ...
WHY CHOOSE BREAZE AS YOUR SOLAR POWER SYSTEM SUPPLIER ???
1) We source quality materials from suppliers with whom we have a long-term relationship - we don't source whatever is cheapest this month.
2) We contract local installers who warrant their workmanship, are easily contactable and have local reputations to protect.
3) We will talk it over and give you honest advice - as a member organization we are available to discuss your energy usage, look over your bills and consider how a purchasing a Solar Power System fits into your household energy budget. If it is not the right option for you, we will tell you !!!
HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE BREAZE SOLAR ELECTRICITY PROJECT
Please read the rest of this webpage for more detailed information about system pricing, system dimensions, available under the Solar Credits Scheme ...
Then to arrange a free pre-installation inspection of your property download and fill our Solar Electricity Installation Questionnaire.
Then mail the questionnaire to:
BREAZE Solar Electricity Project
PO Box 319W
Ballarat West VIC 3350
Note that by filling out and submitting our paperwork you are making an expression of interest and providing information we need to assess the suitability of your installation site; you are NOT making a formal order and are not under any obligation to BREAZE.
If you need more information, please come to one of our free public presentations ...
PARTICIPATING IN THE BREAZE SOLAR ELECTRICITY PROJECT - WHAT TO EXPECT
I sent in my Questionnaire, now what comes next ???
Download this Step-by-Step Timeline of what to expect from Inspection to Installation ...
* Note: We are available to discuss the complexities of the metering and electricity tariff changes associated with installing a solar power system and how to maximize the financial benefit to you (and make sure you are rewarded for taking action to reduce your emissions !!!).
If you need more information, please come to one of our Free Public Community Education Presentations ...
See the Events Calendar for future presentations.
SYSTEM DIMENSIONS - Do I have enough Roof Space ???
Length: 1,651mm
Width: 986mm
Thickness: 46mm
Using Conergy PowerPlus 250M panels in rows of panels that are 1.651m in length or "height", laid out in Portrait orientation
3.0 kW ( 13 panels ) requires 15 meters (eg. 1 row 15m wide; or 2 rows, each about 7.5m wide)
4.1 kW ( 18 panels ) requires 19 meters (eg. 1 row 19m wide; or 2 rows, each about 9.5m wide)
5.0 kW ( 21 panels ) requires 22 meters (eg. 1 row 22m wide; or 2 rows, each about 11m wide; or 3 rows, each about 7.3 meters wide)
The rows are one panel length high - ie. 1.651m
Note: these dimensions are a guide only as to whether the system will fit on your roof. We can be creative !!! You will need to speak to our installers before making a final decisions.
SYSTEM COMPONENT SPECIFICATIONS
See the pricing sheet (above) for the exact model number of the major components (Solar PV Panels and Inverter) used for each of our range of systems:
We particularly happy with the Conergy "PowerPlus" Solar Panels. Unlike most panels that are made in China, which are hand-made, these panels are entirely machine-made in a fully-automated factory in Germany (sadly we cannot say Australia), eliminating human-error.
PREMIUM Conergy "PowerPlus" Systems use the following components:
* Conergy PowerPlus 250M Solar Panels (Read about their certified higher performance in weak light like a Ballarat winter !!!)
* For systems from 3kW to 5kW: SMA SB3000-TL-20 SB4000TL-20 SB5000TL-20 Inverters
* Conergy SunTop III Mounting Rails
PREMIUM Conergy "PowerPlus" Systems are covered by the following warranties:
*Conergy Solar PV Module Warranty (10 Years)
INFORMATION ABOUT GOVT FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
1) THE SOLAR CREDITS SCHEME - Provides an upfront disount
The Federal Government "Solar Credits" Scheme currently provides financial assistance to homeowners wanting to install a solar power system.
Like the previous Solar Rebate, Solar Credits provides a financial incentive that reduces the upfront cost of a Solar Power System. The exact amount can vary, but for a 1.5kW system, the reduction is approximately $2,000.
Unlike the Rebate, Solar Credits are NOT means tested.
You can read about Solar Credits on the website of the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER): http://www.orer.gov.au/
You can also read Nick Lanyon's take on the subject in our article "What will replace the $8000 pv rebate?"
2) THE FEED-IN TARIFF - Payoff your system by selling power to the electricity grid
Any excess electricity that your system generates but you do no use is exported to the Electricity Grid. Under Victorian Government legislation, retailers are required to offer you credits for this electrcity that use can use to pay your bills.
See the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Website for the latest up-to-date rules regarding eligibility for Feed-in Tariffs.
The rules regarding Feed-in Tariffs can get complicated. If you have difficulty with the DPI Website, we can talk you through it if you give Meredith or Simon a call on 5329-1737 ...
If you buy a system through BREAZE, we will take the time to look at your bills, estimate how much electrcity you might sell back to the grid and help you make an informed choice about payback periods that makes financial sense for you ...
Contact Meredith or Simon for more information: 5329-1737 or
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...
REGARDING PLANNING PERMITS (Heritage Overlays and Design and Development Overlays)
If your installation address is within a Heritage Overlay or Design and Development Overlay you need to contact Statutory Planning at the (5320 5640) or your local council for advice about applying for a planning permit.
To find out if your installation address is located within a heritage overlay area, please obtain a FREE "Planning Property Report" from: http://services.land.vic.gov.au/landchannel/jsp/reports/ReportsIntro.jsp
You may also find these documents useful: Summary of heritage permit requirements , Sample of acceptable application letter , Sample of letter for neighbour . These give you an idea of what may be required - they are not comprehensive, nor authoritative and are no substitute for advice from Statutory Planning.
Again, BREAZE has no authority to advise you about planning issues specific to your situation. Please contact Statutory Planning at the (5320 5640) or your local council for advice.
MORE INFORMATION
If you have any further enquiries, please contact
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or call the Solar Electricity Line at the BREAZE Office on 5329 1730.
See all Solar Electricity articles - http://breaze.org.au/projects/solar-electricity |
Solar Electricity = PV
