Solar North East
Residents of Indigo Shire are harnessing the sun's energy and seeing significant savings on their electricity bills. Of the 204 solar photovoltaic systems currently ordered through Solar North East, 78 or over 39% are in the Indigo Shire.
Indigo Shire has seen a large uptake of solar home energy systems through the Solar North East community hub bulk buying project. Recent information sessions held in Chiltern, Rutherglen, Beechworth and Yackandandah, were attended by over 650 residents, with over 30% of these registering for a free home inspection and quote.
Greg and Katalin Young of Yackandandah, pictured right with Eden, Kailey and Jake, are one of the 42 Indigo Shire households that already have a solar photovoltaic power system installed by ZEN Home Energy Systems, through the Solar North East Community Solar Hub Program.
Greg and Katalin installed a 3KW system to complement recent renovations including double glazing and fully insulating their family home to improve its energy efficiency. They are rapt with their solar power system. "It's educated our children. The kids are asking questions about energy, it gives them a focus. That's been a bonus I didn't even consider at the time (of deciding to install solar). It's been great listening to their conversations." Greg Young.
Greg's advice: "Go with a reputable company. When you see cheap systems ask the question why is it so cheap. We recommend Solar North East & ZEN Home Energy Systems. The research done by Solar North East saved us hours of work".
Indigo Shire Council, and six other North East Councils, is encouraging people to look at installing solar home energy systems in the Solar North East Community Solar Hub Program. Solar North East supports residents and businesses to reduce their energy consumption and determine the solar energy system most suitable for their electrical needs and financial restraints. With the right system you can offset your electricity bills. Following a rigorous selection process to ensure high quality systems, best value for money and excellent customer service, Solar North East and Indigo Shire have endorsed ZEN Home Energy Systems as the supplier for the program.
Indigo Solar Ambassador Tamsin Greenwood said "With so much competing information and pricing around at the moment, I encourage people to contact Council to receive more information about solar photovoltaic systems before going ahead with an installation. You want to be sure that your system will last for your payback period and beyond".
Solar North East offers significant cost benefits to residents and businesses, enabled through facilitating bulk purchasing of solar energy systems. WAW Credit Union has been chosen as a Project Partner and is offering low interest finance packages to help residents make the move to solar power. As electricity prices are set to continue climbing, solar energy systems are now more affordable thanks to the benefits of bulk purchasing.
For more information on the SNE project, to register for a free site inspection and quote, and for tips on how to improve your home energy efficiency, residents are encouraged to contact Solar Ambassador for Indigo Shire, Tamsin Greenwood on (02) 6028 1100, tgreenwood@indigoshire.vic.gov.au, drop in to the Yackandandah Indigo Shire Office on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, or visit www.solarnortheast.com.au. The program runs through to December 2012.
