Wollongong business and households are slow to take advantage of green energy. Only 11.7 per cent of properties have solar rooftop systems, lagging behind the NSW average of 14.1 per cent and other states.
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Statistics from the Australian Photovoltaic Institute showed Queenslanders were leading the way with a 29.6 per cent state average of solar users, while some postcodes on the Gold Coast recorded a 51.5 per cent uptake of solar.
Lisa Miller, from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH), said many Illawarra businesses and homeowners were ready for green energy but were confused about how to go about it.
It comes as an RMIT University study found real estate agents weren’t using solar power as a pitch for hombuyers, despite 1.25 million homes installing solar in Australia. The study found agents appear to think it has “limited appeal” to buyers.
Ms Miller said the federal government currently offered a “renewable energy certificate” which was a rebate dependent on the size and number of panels. While she said businesses on long term leases could also install solar and encouraged them to talk with their landlord about splitting the costs.
Homeowners and businesses can find out how they can lower their energy bills and help the environment in a free seminar at Wollongong Council Chambers, 5:45pm on Wednesday May 25.
The seminar is free, but bookings must be made via (02) 4224 4184 or rog.illawarra@environment.nsw.gov.au