Renewable energy
Renewable energy systems use sources like solar, wind and hydro (water) 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 choices.
The most common renewable energy systems used for Australian homes are solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and wind turbines. With both of these options, you are still connected to the main electricity grid for mains power as you need it. You might even be able to sell your excess energy to an electricity company.
What is green power?
Green power is electricity generated from renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro (water) and even decomposing organic waste material. Over 900,000 homes in Australia are already buying green power and that number is growing.
Switching to green power involves an energy retailer sourcing some or all of your energy from renewable sources. It is just as reliable as traditional electricity generated from burning coal and helps to significantly reduce the impact on the environment. There is no need to change your current electricity supplier and no need for any special equipment.
See Switch to greener energy for a step-by-step guide.
The government regulates green power providers and maintains a list of Accredited GreenPower Products. These accredited products use the GreenPower label.
What is solar power?
Solar power means converting sunlight into electricity via photovoltaic (PV) panels, also known as solar panels.
Solar panels are a growing trend among Australian homeowners, with over 20,000 new residential solar panels installed throughout Australia during 2009. They are the ideal choice for city or major urban areas as they don’t make a noise, have no moving parts and are usually installed out of the way up on your roof.
Solar panels require a significant upfront cost but, once installed, require little maintenance, can be expected to last 20 years or more, and the electricity they provide is free and clean. Any excess electricity can be fed into the mains power grid or into a storage system like a battery bank.
Rebates and assistance is available to help with the cost of installing solar power, including Solar Credits and Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) which can save thousands on the cost of a new system.
See our step-by-step guide to installing solar power.
What are wind turbines?
Wind turbines or generators use the wind to turn a propeller, which drives a generator and produces electricity.
Wind turbines are usually installed on a tower, which may not be practical in city or major urban areas. Larger wind generators are well suited to non-urban areas. Most wind turbines make some noise when they’re turning but new developments in wind turbine technology are making them quieter.
Wind turbines are usually part of a stand-alone power system where they charge a battery bank. Depending on where you live, you can connect some systems to the mains power grid to feed-in excess electricity.
Rebates and assistance are available to help with the cost of installing wind turbines.
How do renewable systems work with mains power?
Depending on whether your state operates a gross feed-in tariff or net feed-in tariff you will be paid varying amounts for electricity feed into the mains power grid.
What is the difference between a gross feed-in tariff and a net feed-in tariff?
Under a gross feed-in tariff, your electricity supplier pays you for all energy you produce from a renewable source and return to the electricity grid. Your own electricity usage is metered separately and you are charged for this by your electricity supplier. You will be paid at one rate for energy produced and charged at a different rate for energy consumed.
Under a net feed-in tariff, your electricity supplier pays you only for the unused or surplus energy you produce from a renewable source, that is, the energy that is in excess of your own requirements and which is returned to the electricity grid.
Different states have different tariffs (rates). You will need to check which type of tariff your state uses.
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.
What are 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 greenhouse gas emissions. Products and services that have offset the pollution from making goods or delivering services are called ‘carbon neutral’.
You can offset greenhouse gas emissions such as those generated by driving your car, air travel or running major events by choosing providers of carbon neutral services or products.
See Greenhouse Friendly products and services for a list Greenhouse Friendly™ certified companies and abatement activities.
More information
See this resource about renewable energy: Your Home Technical Manual - Renewable energy
Rebates & assistance
As a home owner, renter or landlord, you could be eligible for financial assistance to help you start living greener.
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 10 watt energy efficient compact fluorescent globe for 100 hours.
Page last modified: 17 Jun 2010