A surge in solar installations has taken the south-east Queensland region to more than 250,000 homes with rooftop solar – and the total inverter capacity to more than 800MW. With more and more education on the benefits of solar power, many residents are taking advantage of it…and it’s showing no signs of slowing down!

The suggestion that solar is no longer a good investment due to the tariff changes could not be further from the truth. While incentives have been reduced, the upfront price of solar power systems has also been reduced. Solar has actually never been more affordable (especially at Dan the Sparky Man seeing we offer no interest payment plans on all of our systems) and it is increasing in popularity as depicted below.

March saw 3,250 rooftop solar arrays officially metered, and another 4,000 applications for solar panels were received according to new data from Energex. That makes rooftop solar in the south-east corridor managed by Energex the sixth biggest power station in the state. In fact, more than 11 per cent of total residential power consumption in the area is now sourced from embedded generation – namely rooftop solar.

This recent data from Energex delivers some other interesting insights also. One is that the actual amount of money paid out for feed in tariffs is declining. That’s because around 700 homes changed owners, meaning that their rooftop systems changed from the old 44c/kWh rate to the 8c/kWh rate. That is bringing the average feed in tariff down to 37.5c/kWh.

Sources: Renew Economy

So, if you have been considering getting solar power or would like to know a bit more about it, please do not hesitate to contact us today. With the feed-in tariff now sitting at 8c per kWh (less than you pay to import electricity), it is now more important than ever to have a professional accurately size a system to meet your need for electricity.

At DTSM, we employ only fully licensed, Master Electricians, who are also accredited for solar installations in Gold Coast by the Clean Energy Council of Australia, to install and maintain your system. We are one of the preferred installers for Origin Energy and have installed thousands of systems right across the Gold Coast and surrounding regions. With more than a decade of experience in the industry, you can rely on us.

Dan Carpenter

Dan the Sparky Man

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There’s nothing dreamy and or luxurious about a simple ceiling light in the bathroom. Designers now use dimmers, chandeliers and decorative wall sconces, low lights and high lights to bring a special look into the bathroom.

Lighting is crucial to how well your bathroom functions, not just how good it looks. The trick to bathroom lighting, and creating both ambience and functionality, is to use multiple layers. Include makeup lighting, place decorative ceiling lights over the tub area and light up any art displayed. In addition, add perimeter recessed lighting. For sparkle, use crystal or glass.

LED lighting is the perfect solution when looking to create a soft glow in the master bath, but they have to be positioned correctly. This type of lighting works best when you want to light underneath the vanity (one that is a separate piece of furniture, on legs), on the sides of niches or shelving, and as cove lighting on the ceiling.

Crystal chandeliers or beaded lighting can move out of the dining room and into the bathroom for a dreamy touch. Just hang a crystal pendant over the sink and mirror to sprinkle a soft glow throughout the space.

Photos courtesy of Susan Fredman Design Group, dSpace Studio Ltd, and PPDS

Source: HGTV

If you would like to design a new lighting plan for your bathroom, or any room in your home, give us a call.

Dan Carpenter

Dan the Sparky Man

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