Like all countries, Australia faces dual challenges in the electricity generation and provision sectors, in the form of global warming and rising energy costs. This has boosted interest and research into renewable energy solutions.
What are the consequences of not transitioning to renewable energy?
We’re blessed with all the natural resources we need to widely embrace renewable energy in our homes. Fossil fuel energy sources like gas and coal have long been the foundation of our power supply. Now our energy landscape is changing as we’ve realised the environmental impact of using these resources at such a massive global scale.
We’re especially vulnerable so far down south, close to the thinnest part of the ozone layer over the South Pole. We’ve already seen the effect this has on our daily lives – think of how much more UV protective sunscreen we now use. It’s in all of our individual future interests to use as many renewables in our homes as we can.
Not only that, the whole world is dependent on the fluctuations in oil and coal prices. This is centrally controlled in regions where we have no influence. Our government is in the same position as many others, unable to make any meaningful impact on pricing. In that light, cultivating our own renewable energy in Australia is a sensible, forward-looking idea to provide reliable power at a more stable price.
Renewable energy: environmental and economic benefits
You’ll experience multiple benefits when you adopt renewable energy in your home. On the ecological side, you’ll lower your dependence on fossil fuels, and reduce your household greenhouse gas emissions.
Economically, you’ll have to bear a certain upfront cost, but this will pay itself off in years to come, in the form of significantly lower electricity bills. You’ll also be insulated from the global price volatility of traditional fossil fuels.
At a macro-economic level, as the renewable energy sector grows, it creates more local jobs. It also encourages innovation and cost-efficiencies. And, as more households transition to renewable energy technologies, it will create economies of scale that further reduce costs. As competition emerges, this will also make these innovations more generally affordable.
Currently available renewable energy options
Solar power installation
We live in one of the sunniest countries on the planet, so solar power seems to be a no-brainer for households. To wit, over the last 10 years or so, demand for home rooftop solar panel installations has surged. These photovoltaic (PV) systems are designed to absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity. This gives a large degree of independence from the grid, with consequently lower energy bills.
Solar hot water systems
Heating water is one of the most energy-intensive features of our home. It takes a lot of electricity to heat a family-sized hot water unit. A solar hot water system is one of the most potent renewable energy solutions. It will significantly reduce your home’s Similarly, you can also convert gas central heating to electric.
Battery storage solutions
Battery storage is a game-changer for households that use solar power. It allows you to store excess, unused electricity generated by your solar panels to use at night or on cloudy days. You can choose from a variety of capacity units, depending on your budget and the weather conditions where you live.
Wind energy for household use
Wind farms are commonly associated with large-scale energy generation. Australia already has a functioning wind energy sector. What’s perhaps not as well-known is that rural households can instal small wind turbines on their property. These can supplement grid electricity to reduce energy costs, and can also be connected to solar systems. The drawback is that they only work efficiently in areas that have consistent, predictable wind patterns. They also have relatively high upfront costs.
Adopting new renewable energy technologies
Heat pumps for temperature regulation
Heat pumps work by drawing heat from the ground or the air and transferring it to your household system. This does require a small amount of electricity, but it’s way less than the amount used to directly heat water. They’re yet another individual solution you can implement at home.
Is geothermal energy renewable?
Geothermal systems harness the natural heat that the Earth generates to replace electricity in heating water and regulating the temperatures in your house. Australia has yet to adopt geothermal energy, but it promises long-term savings along with environmental benefits. It remains a question of identifying the regions that have suitable geological conditions.
Government funding for renewable energy in Australia
The government has introduced incentives to encourage Australian households to adopt renewable energy solutions. They’re designed to make them more affordable for the average household, helping to reduce the upfront costs.
Australian government incentives and rebates include:
- The Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) provides households with incentives if they instal solar panels, solar water heaters or wind turbines.
- The Victoria state government offers subsidies and rebates for households that instal any type of renewable energy system.
- Feed-in tariffs pay households for feeding the surplus energy they generate via solar power into the electricity grid.
Government funding for renewable energy over time might well increase as it becomes more of an imperative in combating climate change.
Does Renewable Energy Cost More?
Given the upfront costs it’s natural for people to wonder, is renewable energy cheaper?
Renewable energy unfortunately does have upfront costs. These depend on the type and size of system you choose to instal: whether it’s a complete solar system or just a hot water unit. They can include solar panels, batteries, inverters and so on.
The good news is that once installed, the long-term benefits will outweigh your investment. You’ll see a noticeable drop in your monthly electricity bills, for a start. Electricity prices in Australia are among the highest in the world. These ongoing and ever-increasing costs will likely make alternative energy sources even more viable in future.
Additionally, renewable energy technology costs are steadily decreasing, due to manufacturing advances and the competition effect. Solar panel prices are a good example of this, and storage battery costs are also declining.
Installing renewable energy solutions in Melbourne
STL Electrical can advise on the best renewable energy systems for Melbourne households, and look after all the installation. All our electricians are certified and experienced in solar panels, batteries and inverters, as well as solar hot water systems. Contact us to find out how you can reduce your carbon emissions and lower your long-term power costs.
