Renewable energies are becoming very popular in Australia as awareness of environmental issues grows. Many homeowners are opting for alternative sources of energy as they try to reduce the cost of their energy bills, and for those living in remote areas.

Solar energy has obvious benefits as large parts of the country enjoy a great deal of sunshine. It is easily accessible as there are companies across the country which fit this type of energy source. Many people start out with a unit that simply heats water but complete units which provide all the electricity that you need can be installed. Electricity can be stored so that when there is no sunlight there is still adequate power. Initial installation is considered to be expensive but the units can soon pay for themselves.

Biomass energy is another alternative energy source which is being used more in Australia. This is defined as a fuel source which is produced from plants or animals. This can be as simple as using a wood burning stove to produce heat. There are more complicated forms available in Australia such as biodiesel or alcohol which has been produced from sugarcanes.

Wind Power is another form of energy for which there are high hopes. This is becoming popular in remote areas and there are a number of wind farms in the country. It is possible for households to have a wind turbine installed but in urban areas this is not as popular as solar energy.

Geothermal energy is an alternative energy source which is not widely used in the country although there are a number of programmes in place now to promote this as an energy source.

The rising cost of electricity in Australia has led more and more individuals to consider alternative sources of energy. Electricity prices are not expected to fall in the near future and there are a growing number of companies in the marketplace that are offering viable alternatives.

There are a number of incentives in place in Australia for households to have a subsidy if they are having an alternative form of energy installed at their home. These vary from region to region so it is worth checking with the local authorities to see if you are entitled to claim any rebates or grants. Most systems are connected to the grid, so that if you produce more electricity than you can use you can be paid for it by the electricity company. There are also a number of specific incentives for those who want to install a basic solar powered hot water system.

The Solar Credits scheme is one that covers the whole country and was designed to replace the former Solar Homes and Communities Plan grant. The federal government has a number of targets for the installation of alternative energy units and for the reduction in use of fossil fuels.

All installers need to be fully qualified and accredited so that you can be sure you are getting a trained fitter carrying out the installation. Most companies will offer a free quotation service and will give you the chance to ask questions. There are installers in every region and a number that are able to cover most of the country. Lists of recommended installers are often available from your local authorities. Quotes should take into consideration the amount of electricity that you need to generate. Most systems can be installed within a day so there is little inconvenience.

As a general rule, most installers will recommend different sizes of systems for your needs. For example, the average sized house that wants a system to run all the lights, a few kitchen appliances and a TV and DVD player would need a 450 watt system. If you double that to 900 watt you can add in larger appliances such as a dishwasher and a fridge. A system of 2.25 kW will cover all the electrical needs of the average 3 bedroomed house. If you opt for a larger system of between 3 and 5 kW you can be sure that your house is completely self sufficient for electricity and a system of that size will also operate the air conditioning with few problems.