Solar Power Rebates & Renewable Energy Assistance

From 3 February, 2009, the Australian Government is providing
rebates of up to help eligible home owners install solar hot water systems.
If you are an owner-occupier who has not already accesssed assistance
from the Insulation Rebate Program you may qualify for a rebate of up to
$1,600 to replace your existing electric hot water system with a solar hot
water system.
Most hot water systems meet the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
requirements to qualify for this rebate.
To learn more about the program, visit the
Energy Efficient Homes Package web page.

NSW Hot Water System Rebate
The NSW Goverment is offering a rebate of up to $1,200 to assist home
owners in NSW install solar hot water systems.
The amount of the rebate is based on how many Renewable Energy
Credits (RECs) the hot water system is rated to.
For more information about this program and to view the eligibility criteria,
visit the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change
Hot Water System Rebate page.

Victorian Government Solar Hot Water Rebate Programs
The Victorian Government has rebate programs that offer up to $1,500
for installation of Solar Hot Water systems.
The Government offers a program for both metropolitan Melbourne and
forregional Vistoria.
For more information about these rabtes visit the Vicotrian Government’s
ResourceSmart website.

Queensland Government
NEW: Solar Hot Water Rebate Payments have commenced
Right now, the Queensland Government is offering a rebate to eligible
households that replace their electric storage hot water system with
a solar hot water system or heat pump.
You could be eligible for a:

• $1000 rebate (for pensioners and low income earners) or,
• $600 rebate.

Rebate payments started on 1 July 2010.
Find out more about the new
Queensland Government Solar Hot Water Rebate.

Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme
The Queensland Government Solar Bonus Scheme pays households
and other small customers for the surplus electricity generated from
roof-top solar photovoltaic (PV) panel systems that is exported to
the Queensland electricity grid. The scheme is designed to make solar
power more affordable for Queenslanders, stimulate the solar power
industry and encourage energy efficiency.
More information: http://www.cleanenergy.qld.gov.au/
Brisbane City Council Solar Hot Water Rebate Program
The Brisbane City Council have extended their Solar Hot Water Rebate
program until 30 June, 2009.
This program provides home ownders within the Brisbane City Council
with a rebate of up to $400 to replace an existing electric or gas
hot water system with a solar hot water system that achieves a
Renewable Energy Credit rating of at least 20 RECs.
Information about eligibility criteria and full terms and conditions can
be accessed at the Council’s Hot Water Rebate web page.

South Australian Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme
The South Australian Government is offering concession card holders a
rebate of up to $500 to assist with the installation of solar hot water
systems.
EThe rebate is available to home owners who install a system, to serve
their principal place of residence; and at the time of installation,
hold at least one of the following Australian Government
concession cards:

• Centrelink Health Care Card
• Centrelink or Department of Verterans’ Affairs Pensioner
• Concession Card
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card – Totally and
• Permanently Incapacitated
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card – War Widow
• Department of Veterans’ Affairs – Extreme Disablement
• Adjustment

For more information on the rebate program, visit the Department
for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure’s
Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme website website.

Western Australian Solar Water Heater Subsidy Program
The Western Australian Sustainable Energy Development Office is
offering grants of up to $700 for installation of solar boosted gas
hot water systems to replace existing electric systems.
For more information about the rebate, visit the Australian Sustainable
Energy Development Office Solar Water Heater Subsidy webpage.
ACT Energy Wise Home Energy Audits
The ACT government is offering an Energy Wise Home Audit service
for just $30.
The audit will identify actions and modifications home owners can take
to reduce their energy use.
Home owners who spend $2,000 or more to implement the audit’s
recommendations may be eligible for a rebate of up to $500 to help
offset the costs of investing in clean energy alternatives.
For more information on the program, visit the
Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) website.

More Information Go to The Kings of Green website

Don’t miss this: Join the Global Work Party on 10/10/10

Don’t miss this: Join the Global Work Party on 10/10/10

Hey everyone, What do school children in Kabul have in common with the Victorian town of Emerald? They will all join our friends at 350.org for "The Global Work Party". Together on October 10, we'll get to work in our communities on projects that build the clean energy future. With your help, 10/10/10 is going to be the biggest day of practical action to cut pollution that the world has ever seen. The buzz is building. Every day new events are registered for 10/10/10 in Australia. Just this week we hit a milestone: every state and territory has an event for 10/10/10. Find one here. And if you can’t find one, why not start your own. http://www.350.org/en Let’s use the day to pressure our leaders to Get To Work themselves right away on strong actions to cut pollution and make clean energy cheaper. Thousands of people around the world have registered their plans, i ncluding bike repair workshoppers in San Francisco, school insulating teams in London, wasteland-to-veggies gardeners in New Zealand, and solar panel installers in Kenya. Will you be one of them? The day will kick off with President Nasheed of the Maldives installing solar panels on his roof. Three hundred universities in China and India have entered the Great Power Race to install clean energy on their campuses. The 10,000th seedling will be planted in Emerald, Victoria, and school children from Kabul, Afghanistan have the same goal. In Eastern Europe thousands of schools have been recruited to plant trees for 10/10/10. There are less than two weeks to go – if you haven't found an event yet, there’s still time. Find one, or start your own, here. Let's get to work, Denise Boyd Campaigns Director, ACF

 

The Kings of Green: Backyard Composting

The Kings of Green: Backyard Composting: "The BasicsThe microbiological process that creates compost is the natural process through which plants and other organic wastes are broken..."

Backyard Composting

The BasicsThe microbiological process that creates compost is the natural process through which plants and other organic wastes are broken down. Doing the work of creating compost are worms, insects, fungi, bacteria, and other microorganisms that help to process dead materials.
The Golden Rule of CompostingComposting is a natural process that will pretty much happen no matter what. There is no need to obsess over creating a rapid, robust compost because even a failed compost heap will eventually succeed. That said, a very effectively created compost heap will proceed to finished compost much, much more quickly (and can be a strangely rewarding accomplishment).
The RequirementsFor the composting process to occur, oxygen, water, some warmth, and a good ratio of carbon-based to nitrogen-based materials are necessary. Fortunately, every one of these materials is abundantly available and should be essentially free!
The Bin
Many different compost bins are available, for many different prices (naturally). In fact, many cities offer conservation incentives through which they offer bins at highly discounted rates. Which one should you get? Here’s the beautiful thing – it really doesn’t matter. You will run into trouble if your bin is too small, but otherwise, any old container will do. In fact, no container at all is just fine too! Some of the best compost heaps are just that – a heap in a corner of the yard with a small enclosure or picket fence to keep things looking tidy.
The IngredientsThe insects and microorganisms that do the work of composting will come no matter what you do. Fortunately, putting out the right combination of nitrogen- and carbon- based materials will be like offering them a free all-you-can-eat buffet. Carbon-based materials to add to your compost should be available in abundance. These are the brown materials such as dead grass clippings, leaves, and even shredded cardboard. Nitrogen-based, or green, materials, can take the form of fruit peels, green grass clippings, and food wastes (avoid adding dairy and meat wastes). The ideal ratio for your compost is about 30 parts carbon to 1 part nitrogen, but anywhere in that neighborhood will work just fine.
The other two ingredients you will need to ensure a speedy process are water and air. Because the center of your heap will retain a great deal of water, the compost should not need to be wetted very often except during dry spells.
Oxygen is introduced by turning the compost (a pitchfork works best) about once a week, or when the compost slows down.
What (you hope!) Will HappenIf you have built a heap with a good carbon to nitrogen ratio, and one that’s sufficiently damp and oxygenated, the composting process should start immediately. After a while (approximately a day), when the process peaks, the center of your pile will be producing heat (sometimes a surprising amount of heat!). It is up to you whether you want to completely compost a batch of wastes and then start over, or simply add wastes as they become available. When the center of the pile cools, the process has slowed and it’s probably time to turn your pile. Repeat until you’ve got nothing left but black gold.
The ProductWhen your compost has been – well – composted – what will remain is a moist, black, sweet-smelling mulch approximately the consistency of soggy cardboard. Nature’s most potent fertilizer, compost can be spread on your flowers, in your garden, on your lawn, and anywhere else you want healthy, strong plants.
Skip the trash can for some of your waste – six weeks in your compost heap can break down more material than six years in a landfill – and the end result is free, natural fertilizer for your efforts!
Happy Composting!

More Eco Tips: Kings of Green

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