Avonsleigh resident Trent Mair is encouraging more households to join the solar power revolution.By Paul Pickering
WHILE the vast majority of Australians have now enlisted in the global struggle with climate change, many remain confused as to the practicalities of alternate energy sources such as solar power.
How much will solar paneling cost to install? What sort of energy savings and financial savings can we make? And how reliable is solar power?
For Avonsleigh resident and solar power expert Trent Mair, these common queries are often all that stands between the average household and a drastically reduced environmental footprint.
Having established Trentleck – his own renewable energy and electrical services company – in 1991, Mr Mair has been at the forefront of the solar revolution.
Now with the Federal Government offering an $8000 rebate to new solar households, many people will be considering joining him.
Mr Mair said the most basic solar set-up, which would provide 75 per cent of the energy used by a small household, would cost about $7000 after the rebate.
After installation, this system will be connected to the electricity grid at all times, drawing from the grid when energy output is low and giving back excess energy in peak-performance periods such as summer.
“It’s all about give and take,” he said.
“If you’re in the positive, you will add onto the grid and you’ll get a credit onto your electricity bill, whereas in winter you might use some of that surplus.”
While Mr Mair acknowledges that the prospect of financial savings remains a key consideration for many of his customers, he is increasingly aware of a shift in the social conscience.
“These days people not only look for the dollar value, now they are asking, ‘what part can I play in reducing our society’s footprint on the earth?’” he said.
“It’s about being responsible, and putting solar on allows you to achieve that carbon-neutral balance.”
For those considering the move to solar power, Trentleck provides free, no-obligation quotes, and can be contacted on 5968 5345.
For more information, visit www.trentleck.com.
