Tasmania's Solar Industry has a Bright Future

There have been a number of promising developments in the solar industry in the recent months. Australia has produced a device capable of storing 30 times the energy of our current batteries, while developing nations continue to utilise solar to solve their energy issues - without a large centralised grid.

The technology continues to improve, and the reasoning behind not going solar for private residencies continues to shrink. Government rebates are at a level that make commercial solar in Tasmania very attractive, and smart business people are looking towards solar as a viable way to significantly decrease business costs and increase profit.

While Solar has been getting stagnant in parts of the country, Tasmania has continued to see steady growth. Commercial solar panels in Tasmania have been being installed at faster and faster rates. Commercial solar for Tasmanian businesses has become a hot topic as people are starting to see the benefits in taking their energy production into their own hands.

Dry spells have shown the pitfalls of hydro energy, and the recent energy crisis when Basslink was disabled has shown many in Tasmania that the one resource we will never get enough of, the sun, may actually be one of our greatest assets.

Tasmania has also installed a 1MW commercial solar system composed of 4000-plus panels.

Bruny Island alone will be seeing the installation of a thousand solar panels for residential homes. The hope is that this new power source will address the blackouts and usage of diesel generators often used over the summer holiday.

Even sheep farms are starting to see the maths work in their favour. A farmer has installed a 40-kilowatt system with 250 panels to power his home and to power the irrigation system on his land. Annually he is saving around $6,500 and will pay off the system in around five years.

With recent events making residents wary of price hikes, the natural sunny climate, government investment, and the increase in viable technology - commercial solar in Tasmania likely has a bright future. With some luck, these investments will turn Tasmania into an example for many places to follow. Solar in Australia has become relatively stagnant, but if they see more homes and businesses in Tasmania prosper while utilising a renewable energy source, it could very well be the push they need.

Though the popularity surge for solar in Tasmania was a long time coming, many other areas that would benefit greatly still haven't seen the public discourse shift in favour of solar. It is likely that smaller population like Tasmania, or developing countries in Africa and India, who are adopting solar out of more of a need than other areas, will be forced to set the example.

If you are a resident of Tasmania, there are a number of quality companies available to help get you set up with your own solar panels. Information on government assistance is available, and the solar system will likely be able to pay you a return on investment in only a few short years.