Solar rebate expanding industry awareness

Business growth continues in the solar hot water industry thanks to the Australian Government’s Solar Hot Water Rebate, which is part of the Energy Efficient Homes Package.

Pieter McHeyzer, Managing Director of Solar and Bamboo Direct in Coffs Harbour, has seen work increase as a result of the package, complemented by state rebates and renewable energy certificates.

The company has employed an additional 35 staff to meet demand and also opened a new store in Tamworth.

“In the last two and a half years we’ve enjoyed great support from the incentives, allowing us to assist a large number of households upgrade to solar hot water,” Mr McHeyzer said.

“Our business has expanded to over 50 staff, purely on the back of the federal and state initiatives to encourage the switch to clean power generation and water heating.”.

Mr McHeyzer said the Solar Hot Water Rebate had also led to the hiring of permanent staff, encouraging more certainty for workers in the industry.

“Our business model works on employing tradespeople on a full time basis rather than as contractors, giving our staff job continuity and us a greater ability to manage workload and maintain quality standards.

“Another positive is increased community awareness of the financial and environmental benefits of choosing to use cleaner energy alternatives.

“The market is now very aware of the need to all do something. The programs available allow a significant number of householders to plan and change to these cleaner alternatives, enabling us to plan and staff up to suit the consistent demand.

“We expect that into the future, this awareness will lead people to seriously consider solar and heat pump technology when their existing electric systems need to be replaced.”

For the team at Solar and Bamboo Direct, the Government’s Energy Efficient Homes Package has helped their company grow and more Australians to switch to cleaner, greener energy.

Heating household water accounts for up to 23 per cent of Australia’s home energy use. It’s estimated the Solar Hot water Rebate will help reduce Australia’s carbon emissions by up to 11.3 million tonnes by 2020. For more information visit http://www.environment.gov.au/energyefficiency/.   

More In Focus articles