Now that I have a solar system producing a significant portion of my electricity I have decided to purchase green power to make up the balance. Because I have a fairly efficient house I should only have to purchase about 2000kWh-3000kWh pa to be totally sourced from renewables. I still use gas for cooking but I can live with that.
Have any other members done this and if so what are the pros & cons you have found by doing so?
Yep - buying it. I only have 1KW on the roof + the SHWS.
One more emission source down.
Interesting debate - it's more cost effective than rooftop solar, and theoretically acheives a similar outcome.
Paul
Well that makes 3 anyway. Your right of course Paul, it's a much cheaper option than PV on the roof and renters can do it as well. I guess if ATA people find it hard to justify you can see why the general public feel the same way.
Brian
I haven't changed yet and only have the measly excuse that our utility company had a confusing offer that we didn't think was logical (fixed price of green energy regardless of consumption). I think we'll sign up in the next couple of months.
GJOESQ
Member
rockabye, that was my opinion a while back. I've had 100% Wind Power from Origin for 18 months now. Now I realise that we can't be sure that the premium we pay actually goes to purchasing new renewable energy. One reason I say that is the demand for green energy is greater than the ability to provide it currently. The excess money generated is spent of offsets and new infrastructure.
Therefore, we decided to go for a 2 kW PV system as that is the only way to truly produce renewable energy. Of course, we'll keep up the 100% Wind. The NSW tariffs have increased on July one to 22.6c per kWh for general electricity and 12.8c for off peak. Of course, this only increases the value of our SHW and PV systems!!!!
Sunshine
Member
As I am a net exporter of solar generated electricity (3kW system), but I still buy black electricity.
We use around 4.5kWh per day of black electricity and export around 11-12kWh per day.
I have solar hot water as well and haven't needed to use electric boost.
ateliving
Member
More and more people begin to buy green power products to save their bill. It's good for all of us.
As a manufacturer and exporter of Solar Water Heater, we know this well. If you need any help, please contact us: http://www.ateliving.com
As people or consumers are becoming more aware of the huge benefits they are converting into green energy. I think their is no doubt momentum is starting to build but we are still a way off. I produce wind power in my domestic home and I am currently looking into solar options, I think apart from education one of the main problems people are having is with the initial up front costs.
Obviously in the long run, their is massive money to be made, but people want the saving in their hip pockets now.
Scott from the wind powered generators hub.
PeterC
Member
Hi,
[First Post here]
We have 1.4KW PV. Since we sold the RECs when we bought the system and also have a Gross Feed-in tariff in the ACT I can't really claim to be using the power from my panels. Instead the power we make is all sold into the grid for general use. IE we make money from our panels but we don't use their power. Therefore, we also purchase 100% ACTEW's GreenChoice which is an extra 6.5c/KWh. The way I see it we sell all the renewable energy we make and use the money to offset the purchase of 100% renewable energy. That way it also doesn't really matter whether our PV system output matches our consumption.
Peter.
DavidGobbett
Member
We have bought green power for many years (taking care to buy from an accredited, reputable source), and have now had PV for 18 months too. I guess I see the Green Power as supporting the development of 'centralised' clean energy facilities, whereas the PV on the roof is a vote for 'decentralised' power generation. Power production of the future will need both.
David
tullera182
Member
sorry, don't buy any power, we have stand alone solar (no grid connection). Congrats to all those who do buy green power.
