Rebate causes a solar stampede in Australia
Cara Jenkin, May 11, 2007
source: News.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,21709963-2682,00.html
INSTALLING solar panels has never been cheaper in Adelaide, with the Federal Government’s expanded solar rebate scheme cutting the cost to almost a third. Solar energy stores have urged homeowners to “get in before they miss out”.
They have been inundated with inquiries since this week’s announcement that the rebate scheme would be doubled to $8000. For a $13,000 system, to supply up to 2kW of power, the rebate will cut the out-of-pocket cost to $5000. The old rebate was $4000.
The amount of time it would take the average system to begin paying for itself has also been halved from about 30 years to about 15 years. Aldgate resident Charissa Davies, 27, said the extra money would definitely persuade her to buy more solar panels for her home. “I think it’s a great idea because you need to give people as many incentives as you can,” she said.