The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia is causing various resources around the world to spike and natural gas is one of them (this is where our power in Australia mainly comes from). Therefore, power prices will rise by at least 35% over the next 12 months according to the numerous articles linked below.

Just like petrol prices in 2022, the trend of everyday commodities increasing in price is already here.

What does this mean for the average household?

If your average bill is $350 now, (or $2,100 p/a) an increase of 35% gives you a new power bill of $470+ or $2,820 a year. So, your new power bill will increase by an average of $120 or $720 per year.

How does solar help?

On an average $2,100 a year power bill, you could save at least $1,600 a year with the right system. Transfer that to a new bill of $2,820 a year, and you should see savings of $2,000+ a year making your new average bill $137 WITH the price increase. A power bill of $137 is way more attractive than one for $470

Get Solar NOW – Here’s why

During the height of Covid, the cost of solar increased by 20-25% due to a rise in transport & import costs as well as staff shortages, time delays and a panel shortage. Given the War in Europe has a global impact on oil and gas supplies you can be sure more people around the world will be looking to solar for their homes, again spiking huge demand which will no doubt see solar prices rise again potentially another 20% or more.

The Government solar incentive will drop again on the 1st Jan 2023, and this will likely see solar prices increase again. The demand for solar will likely erupt with increased power prices hitting hard so you can expect to see current install times go from 3-4 weeks to 6- 12 weeks.

This demand will likely have a flow-on effect resulting in stock shortages and even longer wait times for installation.

With an increase in demand comes an increase in wages for installers purely because they can. The recent building boom in WA is proof of that. Not only will it push prices up, but it could also mean shonky, quick installs that are not to safe standards.

What should I do?  –  It’s not too late

Get solar now while everything is in your favour. Don’t wait for the “bad stuff” above to happen before making your move.

Make sure you select the right company so your solar is installed properly and with quality products. Don’t look at the price, look for things that tick the boxes like;

• quality installs
• quality products
• long warranties
• back up and support

These are just as and in some cases even more important than price.

Look for long-standing established companies with good reputations that will be around long term. Watch out for the ‘hit it and quit it’ companies who jump in when it’s booming and disappear when it’s not.

Stay away from telephone salespeople. More than likely, they aren’t based in WA, or even Australia. Get a professional (ME!) to visit your home so you know they are local and can check everything around your home too. A good eye opener is to visit their office or warehouse – it will definitely separate the professionals from the clowns.

An installation by the Fly-by-night-she’ll-be-right Solar Panel Company