Making money while the sun shines: Denman Prospect’s solar incentive for new residents
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Is now a good time to talk about solar power?
With an international fuel crisis focussing our collective minds on our energy consumption, future residents of the first Australian suburb to have a minimum requirement for solar power on every house, Denman Prospect, are being offered a battery upgrade – for free!
Last month, Capital Estate Developments updated the minimum requirements for solar installation from 3.7kW to 6.6kW. This means when buyers build a home in Denman North, it’s a requirement for them to install a minimum 6.6kW solar system.
But a package negotiated with Harvey Norman Commercial allows new owners to upgrade their solar system to include a 9.6kWh battery for an additional $4,546, while the standard cost is $6,150 inclusive for the minimum 6.6kW solar system package (supplied and installed).
While prospective residents must adhere to the solar power rule, they are, of course, able to choose their own system and supplier, as long as they meet the minimum standard.
A 6.6kW system is estimated to generate over 8700k/Wh of clean electricity per year, reducing emissions from fossil fuel power by approximately 6.8 tonnes a year, and can provide owners with a saving on their annual electricity bill of $1,800 – $2,500.
Design and Compliance Manager Rebecca Vecera said most residents who wanted to move into the suburb, did so because of its environmental beauty and credentials, and this was a further incentive for homeowners to minimise their carbon footprint.
She noted that the current fuel crisis and its impact on the cost of living for families brought green energy options into sharper focus.
“When we started developing the suburb nearly 11 years ago, people weren’t focussed so much on solar batteries, but now home energy management systems are a big part of lifestyle appeal and being able to store enough energy to stay off grid overnight is a real asset, as is not having to pay a power bill!”
Sales Manager Patricia Hepburn said the solar incentives were timely, with a large proportion of residents now choosing to run electric vehicles.
“With more people focused on reducing their household running costs, signing up to free energy can really make a difference. We thought we would help home builders by offering them the battery upgrade to increase their solar potential.”
The solar rebate is just one of several sustainability initiatives that sets Denman Prospect apart.
There’s a green roof on top of the medical centre at Denman Village Shops. It helps absorb rainwater, reduce runoff and lower urban heat island effects.
There’s also a focus on native plants in landscaping because they require less water, fertiliser and maintenance, and help stabilise soil, reduce erosion and improve water quality.
When complete, Denman Prospect will have a total of 37 per cent tree canopy coverage, exceeding the ACT Government’s 30 per cent target for estates. Tree canopies help absorb rainwater, reduce runoff, and lower urban heat island effects.
Before stormwater flows into the natural area downstream, it passes through water‑quality ponds that help reduce erosion and improve water quality. The ponds in Denman Prospect help prevent soil erosion and improve water quality and a chain of ponds will feature in Stage 2 of Denman Village Park.
The design of the ponds use the latest urban design practices and feature sediment forebays, which are small ponds that slow the water down to enable dirt and sand to settle; and aquatic planting to promote natural cleaning.
Rebecca said that as the area continued to grow, it was difficult to find a street where you didn’t see and feel a connection to nature.
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“From the mountains close by to the connection to the bush, it looks different to other new suburbs,” she noted.
“People we speak to feel really proud to be part of an area where we have factored in so many environmental initiatives. The way in which we will be harnessing solar power will be a centrepiece of that.”
More details on the Solar Battery Incentive are available here
And you can read more about Denman’s commitment to solar energy here.
