Solar rip-off | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast
Solar rip-off
Lynne Edwell of Aldershot has got little value after installing an expensive solar power system recently.
A SAVING of $12 per quarter wasn’t exactly what Lynne and John Edwell had in mind when they forked out $6000 to have a solar hot water system and energy panels installed at their Aldershot home last year.
To their great disappointment, that’s the average amount they’ve been saving so far – despite Federal Government promises of cutting down their annual energy bill by 75 per cent.
“I am so disappointed and feel like I have to warn others,” Ms Edwell said. “There’s all this hype about all this money you’re going to be saving ... but you’re not told the whole story.”
Ms Edwell said she and her husband decided they would try to be as “green as possible” when they moved from Western Australia to Aldershot last April.
“With the help of Federal Government rebates we had a solar hot water system and solar energy panels installed, which cost us about $6000. This was all our savings.”
Opening their first electricity bill 84 days later, the couple were astonished to find they had only saved a grand total of $7.
“I called up the company who installed it and said ‘Hey, there’s something wrong here’ and it wasn’t until then I was told the solar energy system is really designed for younger people who aren’t going to be in the house between the hours of 8am and 3pm.
“That is when the energy costs are around 44 cents per unit as opposed to 19 cents outside of these times.”
For the next 95 days, Ms Edwell said the couple “lived like hermits” throughout the day in an attempt to keep their electricity bill down.
Opening up their second bill, however, they were again gobsmacked by their saving – this time it was just $18.
“We tried so hard to keep our bill down and then to see that was all we’d saved, it was just like – what was the point?
“We could have spent our savings on a new rainwater tank or floor coverings instead.”
Information as part of the Solar Hot Water Rebate on the Department of Environment website guarantees that a solar hot water system would help people save money on power bills and reduce the greenhouse gas emissions.
It also says that by installing a climate friendly hot water system families could save up to $700 off their energy bills each year or “75 per cent per year on the hot water component of your electricity bill.”
Ms Edwell said she was mainly upset she wasn’t told about the fine print before the solar system was installed.
“We truly believed all the wonderful things that were being said – not only were we doing the right thing for the environment but also saving considerable money.
“It feels like everyone’s got their money and walked away.
“It’s never going to pay me back in my lifetime. We just want to say to people: ‘get the facts first’.”
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Posted by dingosimon from Boonenne, Queensland
18 January 2010 7:23 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Yes it is all a bit of a con. Not many people realise that all these solar parts are made by coal fired electricity manufacturers, so it really defeats the purpose , doesnt it ?
Then with anything Solar , it will upto about 10 years for you to get back what you spent, then you have to replace it again. So it is a Catch 22 and you still dont win.
So my question is " Why Bother ?"
Posted by WaterRat from Torbanlea, Queensland
18 January 2010 8:21 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
Come on guys, get over it. By opting to change to solar energy you have contributed to the greater good. I'm sure you wouldn't want to undo it by giving all the neysayers out there some fuel to add to their fire. Truth is no matter what the costs we should all do whatever we can to steer away from non-renewable energy sources, and unfortunately they cost money and will require us to change our lifestyles a little bit. The upside is that future generations will have a hospitable planet to live on. Think about it.
Posted by Kia83 from Collingwood Park, Queensland
18 January 2010 9:30 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I use to work for a company in Brisbane that sells and installs Solar Hot Water Systems. If you are not saving money, you are not saving emmissions. The reason being is that your solar hot water system relys on solar contribution for heating your water this is where the savings are received. The system will boost using an electric element (normally between 2.4 & 3.6kw) when required. As such you are using electricity (which you would in a standard electric hot water system), therefore not saving any use of grid electricity.
Posted by trooper5 from Hervey Bay, Queensland
18 January 2010 12:12 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
to the waterrat of torbanlea
when you convince the chinese the indians to cut emmissions there just be an element of truth in this global warming yes i am one of those neysayers and there will be a lot more when people wake up to the three amigo,s rudd wong & garrett
Posted by trooper5 from Hervey Bay, Queensland
18 January 2010 3:12 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
to all those believers of the milkybar kid and the e t s garbage it is now snowing in the snowy mountains, i do not have a uni degree but street wise to me it seems like global cooling
Posted by larrya from Hervey Bay, Queensland
18 January 2010 4:26 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
In the photo, I don't see a solar hot water system on their roof, only solar energy panels for generating electricity. Has Ergon been called to come and install the necessary meter so that the excess power can be sold into the grid.
I have a solar hot water system that cuts my power bill by about 70% compared to my neighbours bill. We only turn on the electric booster 5 or 6 days a year.
Posted by SustainaBundy from Bundaberg, Queensland
20 January 2010 3:42 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
This is quite an intriguing scenario! There is not enough detail about usage, installed systems etc. for anyone with knowledge of Photovoltaics and Solar Hot Water Systems to determine a possible issue. Yet based on bill alone, something is amiss.
I'd strongly suggest an independent audit of both the equipment and energy use before and after the installation.
Posted by markyg from Harristown, Queensland
31 January 2010 8:59 a.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I agree, we need more information about Photovoltaics and Solar energy. find out more here: http://solarenergypartners.co.uk/sola...
Posted by kryters73 from Narre Warren, Victoria
26 February 2010 6:22 p.m. | Suggest removal » | Post reply »
I've had a 1kw system installed on my home to which the Victorian Goverment has made a new power meter compulsery for my home with that the cost per kwh has jumped in price by 4 cents peak and my off peak looks more like my old bill rate so for me there is no savings in fact the household power bill is more expensive Brumby your a joke good luck in thew next election