Solar choice given incentives

WESTERN Australian householders will be given financial incentives to choose solar hotwater systems.

Those who install a new 300-litre system will be given $250 by the Government and those living outside the South West Interconnected System will get $400.

However, the $400 incentive will only go to those who live outside the SWIS in places where reticulated natural gas is not available.

Those who replace old solar hotwater systems with new ones will also get the Government funds.

The incentives are designed to overcome customer reluctance to buy solar systems because of their higher purchase price.

The main competition for solar systems comes from electricity and gas systems but the environmental benefits of using solar power are greater.

The WA solar industry has welcomed the rebate announcement.

Solarhart Industries general manager Rodger Meads said the rebate brought WA into line with other states such as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.