Solar stars on a winner

IN recent articles, I have highlighted businesses that have installed solar power.
It makes their business more sustainable, both financially and
environmentally.
Fernglen Panels in William Street Ferntree Gully, near Mountain Gate shops,
has installed an 18kw solar system (about 72 panels). You can see it from Burwood Highway.
It looks fabulous.
Until recently, their power bills were $3000 to $4000 per quarter, but their bills are now so reduced they expect to pay off the cost of the system in about
three years.
Another visible example is Semken Landscaping in Molan Street, Ringwood.
Their factory is just before the Heatherdale Road level crossing.
They have a 16kw solar system (about 64 panels), which you can see from
Melbourne-bound trains.
Semken says since it was installed in August 2012, “Our electricity bill
is substantially less than previously. Over the summer months, we generate
more power than we consume, resulting in a credit balance which is applied
against our winter bills”.
However, cost saving was not their only reason for going solar.
They said, “We think of our solar panels as a small contribution to the future
well-being of the planet”.
Another ‘solar star’ is the BP service station at the corner of Stud Road
and Kelletts Road in Rowville.
Petrol stations use lots of electricity to power their pumps and their lighting.
For businesses with high daytime power demands, solar now just makes sense.
Some people say economics alone will drive the uptake of renewable energy.
Unfortunately, vested interests (coal/gas) are trying to slow this process down.
This is why we need robust government policies like a strong Renewable Energy Target (RET).
An ambitious RET of at least 50 per cent by 2030 will deliver jobs, cleaner air and increase our chances of leaving a safe climate for future generations.