18-Aug-2010 Sutherland Shire Council has shown its commitment to sustainability by installing a 9.8kW solar electricity system on the Council’s administration building. Local company SolarSwitch, based in Caringbah, was chosen to complete the installation which includes 56 SilexSolar panels; the only Australian made and owned solar panels available.

The $60,000 system will reduce Council’s electricity bills and save around 16,500 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions being pumped into the atmosphere annually- this is equivalent to removing 5 average Australian cars off the road. The installation was funded by the NSW Department of Environment Climate Change and Water through its Waste and Sustainability Improvement Program.

SolarSwitch is one of the largest solar electricity installers in NSW and has worked with home owners, local government and businesses installing around 15% of the state’s systems last financial year. The company prides itself on installing quality equipment from reputable manufacturers whose warranties are held in Australia. This latest project adds to SolarSwitch’s growing list of high profile clients including Sydney City Council and Kennards Hire.

“We are very proud to have been chosen by Sutherland Shire Council to install this system and applaud not only their commitment to sustainability but their support of local business and jobs through choosing SolarSwitch and Australian made panels” said Adam Tesoriero, Director of SolarSwitch.

Sutherland Shire Council’s system will also help to educate local residents about solar power with a large display screen in Council’s main foyer showing the solar electricity generated, the greenhouse gas emissions saved and the equivalent in driven kilometres.

There are additional incentives for homeowners, businesses and community organisations to install solar power that make it an extremely attractive investment option offering approximately 30% tax free return on investment. These incentives are the new solar electricity rebate or “Solar Credits Scheme” and the gross feed-in-tariff introduced in NSW in January this year. The new solar electricity rebate is now open to everyone including businesses, unlike the old Solar Homes and Communities Plan.

On top of this the new solar buy back scheme or gross feed-in-tariff means most people with a solar electricity system get credited at least 60c per kilowatt hour for all the electricity their system generates. That’s almost four times the current retail rate. This incentive is available to anyone who uses less than 160MW hours of electricity per year –which means all homeowners and most small to medium businesses qualify.

For more information on installing solar electricity contact SolarSwitch here or on (02) 8985 9945, or visit the SolarSwitch showroom at 2A/181-187 Taren Point Rd Caringbah.

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