Go Solar for a Sustainable World
Updated: Nov 3, 2018
Image credit: Ken Bosma
The Global Goals call for Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7) as well as Climate Action (Goal 13). Do these goals seem too big for individuals or businesses to tackle? Well, the good news is we can all make our own contribution to a sustainable world. In Australia, with its sunny climate, solar energy will contribute to both these goals substantially. You may even qualify for a rebate or subsidy thanks to the Australian Government’s solar rebates. If you generate more energy than you use and feed it onto the gird, you not only get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve contributed to the pool of clean energy available, but you also get paid for your contribution.
Sustainability isn’t charity: it benefits everyone
With incentives in place and with the prospect of twenty or more years of “free” solar energy at your disposal, you may be wondering just what sacrifice you are making in order to contribute to sustainability. But that’s the beauty of sustainability. Yes, you do benefit others, but you also benefit yourself. Everyone’s a winner!
Extra motivation for businesses
Besides cost savings that feed into your bottom line, solar energy brings a few additional benefits to businesses. And since sustainability is all about mutual benefit, there’s no reason not to take advantage of your opportunities.
Market yourself as a Green Business to improve on your public image.
Get extra income through trading Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs).
Apply for Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) certification and use it as part of your branding. Research shows that consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly brands.
Claim depreciation for your solar energy equipment and save on tax.
Energy Australia has prepared a breakdown of the cost savings a business can expect from changing over to solar power. Solar energy isn’t just for businesses with a small energy requirement. The more energy your business uses, the more substantial your clean energy savings become.
Image credit: Caterina Sullivan
The cost of solar energy installation has dropped
Thanks to new technologies, the cost of solar and wind energy equipment has dropped drastically in the last few years, making the time it takes to recoup your investment a whole lot shorter. Just how long that will be will depend on your specific circumstances, but renewable energy is no longer a solution which requires altruism. It has become a decision which makes sound environmental and financial sense.
Whether you are an ordinary householder or run a large business, it would seem that finding out the cost of a solar power or wind power installation, and comparing it to the many financial benefits it brings along with it, makes sound financial sense.
“The decisions we make during the next five years will impact on global climate change”
That was the conclusion drawn by one of the authors of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report. Remaining dependent on coal-fired power stations is no longer an environmentally acceptable solution, but replacing all that infrastructure would be a mammoth task. Fortunately, individuals and businesses can join the push to reduce Australia’s emissions, and they won’t even have to make much of a sacrifice in order to do so.
Contact us to tell us about your success with using solar energy at home or in your workplace!
This article was originally published on the Global Goals Australia Campaign website.SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave
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