Independent Australian think-tank “Per Capita” has reported solar power is a more profitable investment for self-funded retirees than BHP Billiton shares.
In an article for the Australian Financial Review, Executive Director of Per Capita David Hetheringon writes that rooftop solar technology allows retirees and others to protect themselves against escalating electricity costs into the future.
Mr Hetherington argues that if a power bill is $1000 a year and is paid for with post-tax earnings from BHP dividends today, $47,000 of BHP shares would be needed to pay the power bill.
He suggests taking some of that $47,000 and investing it in rooftop solar panels. A 2kW solar power system with a storage battery, he argues, would make around $1000 worth of energy a year, and protect against inflation of power prices.
Given that there are little or no ongoing costs associated with solar panels, the return on investment is considerable, particularly when government incentives – such as the solar credits scheme and solar feed-in tariffs – are taken into account.
Further, Mr Hetherington points out that because the dollar benefits are in savings they do not incur tax, unlike other forms of investments like shares or rental property.
In addition to future-proofing against rising energy costs, Mr Hetherington also highlights the other benefits of installing rooftop solar panels, such as reducing a household’s greenhouse gas emissions and taking some pressure of Australia’s groaning electricity grid.
Modern Solar are Australia’s solar power experts, with more than 30 years in the home improvement business and well over 300,000 happy customers. Invest in your future and the future of Australia by installing a home solar power system today.
Source: Hetherington, David. “Solar yield beats BHP any time”. The Australian Financial Review, 16 June 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
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