Renewable energy
Renewable energy systems use sources like solar, wind and water (hydro) to generate power.
Your choice of sustainable power depends on where you live in Australia. For example, cities usually don't have the right conditions for wind or hydro power. If you live in the country, you could have more options.
The most common renewable energy systems used for Australian homes are solar photovoltaic panels (PVs) and wind turbines. With both of these options, you can still be connected to the main electricity grid for mains power as you need it. You might even be able to sell your excess energy to the electricity company.
Green power
Over 900,000 residential homes in Australia are already buying green power. This involves your electricity supplier sourcing some or all of your energy from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro and even decomposing organic wastes.
The government regulates green power providers and maintains a list of accredited green power products. These government accredited products use the GreenPower trademark.
Solar power
PVs convert sunlight into electricity. They are a good choice for city areas as they don't make a noise and are usually out of the way up on your roof.
PVs have no moving parts, require little maintenance and can be expected to last 20 years or more.
Financial assistance is available to help with the cost of installing solar power, including:
- Solar Credits and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which can save you thousands on the cost of a new PV system.
See our step-by-step guide to installing solar panels.
Wind turbines
Wind turbines or generators use the wind to turn a propeller, which drives a generator and produces electricity.
Larger wind generators are well suited to non-urban areas, as the turbine needs to be mounted on a tower. Most wind turbines make some noise when they're turning but new developments in wind turbine technology are making them quieter.
Financial assistance is available to help with the cost of installing wind turbines which could help you save thousands of dollars off the cost of a new wind power system.
Renewable systems and mains power
With a renewable energy system you use your own energy first, and can connect to mains power for the times when there may not be enough electricity being generated by your system.
If you don't connect to the mains power grid, you may need storage batteries or a generator to give you a constant supply of electricity when you need it.
If you connect your system to the electricity supply grid, electricity you generate can be fed back into the grid. Depending on where you live and who your electricity supplier is, you might even be paid for the electricity your system generates.
Carbon offsets, carbon neutral and abatement schemes
Some community groups and businesses offer schemes that plant trees or do other energy-saving projects to offset your greenhouse gas emissions. Products and services that have offset the pollution from making goods or delivering services are called carbon neutral.
You can offset emissions such as those generated by driving your car, air travel or running major events by choosing providers of carbon neutral services or products.
The Department of Climate Change has a list of accredited providers and approved abatement projects.
More information
See this resource about renewable energy:
Rebates & assistance
As a home owner, renter or landlord, you could be eligible for financial assistance and home assessments to help you start saving energy and water sooner.
Find out about government rebates and assistance.
Why do it?
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by electricity production
- Create your own electricity
- Support the growth of renewable energy sources in Australia
Did you know?
It takes half a kilogram of black coal or 1.5 kilograms of lower quality brown coal to supply 1 kilowatt hour of electricity - enough to run a single bar radiator for an hour, a 100 watt light globe for 10 hours or a 10W energy efficient compact fluorescent globe for 100 hours.
Page last modified: 25 Feb 2010