Community charges ahead with solar, offsetting over 70k tonnes of CO2

The benefits of using solar power are already well-documented, and households on the Northern Beaches have responded by embracing this cheap renewable source of energy.

In fact, a household with a 10kW solar system could enjoy savings of more than $1650 per year on their energy bill.1

Recent data shows that almost 19% of suitable homes on the Northern Beaches now have solar, up from a figure of 13% back in late 2019 – this is close to a 50% increase in the last two years.1

More than 12,500 homes on the peninsula now benefit from solar power and collectively, this equates to annual savings on their energy bills of almost $10 million. With annual offsets of 70,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide for all solar installations this is the equivalent of 21,000 cars off the road per year.1

A recent community survey identified the following perceived barriers to uptake:

Concerns over costUncertainty of payback periodsComplex development controls and policiesA lack of knowledge and understanding about the different systems and technologiesA lack of confidence in solar power suppliers/installers.

To overcome these concerns, we have been using a variety of strategies to get more solar panels on roofs including:

A Simplifying Solar webpage full of helpful information including FAQs.Regular solar information sessions and webinars.A Solar Expo with talks from specialist advisors and stallholders offering independent advice and the latest developments from the industry.A partnership with Australian Energy Foundation. They offer trustworthy, independent advice and no-obligation independent solar quotes, plus free solar quote evaluations via their 1300 236855 hotline or online.Free 30-minute chat with our Council solar ambassadors through our ‘Solar Conversations’ service, with bookings available online.

Are you interested in learning more? Why not work your way through our five step process to installing solar. Or register for our upcoming solar information sessions: Futureproof your Solar for Batteries and Electric Vehicles on Tuesday 22 February at 6.30pm, and Solar for Apartments on Tuesday 8 March at 6.30pm.

1APVI 2021/2022