New pricing makes solar even more attractive
19 December 2011
Homeowners across South Australia are benefiting from a price reduction in solar panels, says South Australia's largest solar energy company.
According to ZEN Energy Systems, falling solar panel prices and increasing electricity tariffs are helping make solar energy more attractive to South Australians looking to reduce their power bills.
"Many people thought the reduction of the feed-in tariff at September 30 would dampen enthusiasm for solar power, but it has always been a long term financial proposition," said Richard Turner, CEO of ZEN Energy Systems.
"The purchase price and future electricity charges remain major components in determining when households will begin making long term savings on their power bills."
This week ZEN announced it is reducing the purchase price on solar panels across the range by up to 10%. For a standard three kW system suitable for the average family home, this equates to a saving of over $1,000.
"As South Australia's largest solar energy company we have strong purchasing power and the continued performance of the Australian dollar has assisted us in reducing costs," said Mr Turner.
"However, we have not compromised the quality of the panels or their components, and continue to offer products that perform at the highest level."
In 2011 electricity prices in South Australia rose by 17.4%, with additional rises expected in the future.
"As prices increase, if households can reduce their need to purchase electricity through using self-generated solar energy then their payback period will quickly reduce," Mr Turner said.
"With these price changes I predict the return on investment period for new customers will soon come back to where it was pre September 30."
South Australia's location is ideally suited for residents to capitalise on the benefits of solar power.
According to research undertaken by Choice magazine, of all the capital cities, solar panels in Adelaide and Darwin generate the most electricity on average each day, somewhere between 10% to 30% more than Hobart and Melbourne.
Correct installation and using quality products will also ensure householders receive the maximum benefits out of their solar panel system.
Solar panels work best when they are north facing, pointing directly at the sun, at the correct angle and not blocked by trees or shading.
"When buying solar panels, it is a case of getting what you pay for," said Mr Turner.
"Cheap systems will not deliver consistent long term performance, resulting in households not generating as much energy or savings as they potentially could.
"All solar panels installed in Australia are manufactured overseas, and it is the quality of the products inside, rather than where they are made, that will determine their long- term performance.
ZEN's technology partner for its panel manufacturing is ET Solar who manufacture for ZEN under our brand and quality specifications using cells and compenentry sourced from Germany. ET Solar are an internationally certified company based in China which exports to over 50 countries.
"Most solar companies offer a 25 year tiered warranty, which guarantees a 90% level of performance for the first ten years and an 80% level of performance for the next 15 years," he said.
"ZEN's warranty provides a consistently higher level of performance. In fact, after 13 years of installation, the guaranteed performance for our panels is higher than our main competitors offer in their first two years."
