Solar panels transforming Queensland suburbs
The rapid rise of large scale household solar power systems is fuelling jealousy in Queensland suburbs.
It's a problem where properties have turned into mini power-stations, and those without solar are paying for it.
10,000 new solar systems are being installed each month, meaning suburbs are being transformed.
Some buildings have more than others like the University of Queensland, which has 5000 panels powering the campus.
At Rochedale, 2000 panels cover a retirement complex.
North of Brisbane, the 7 News helicopter helped find this residence at Kallangur:
Kerry Rochfort's system is making $6,000 per year, but it's also generating criticism.
The house has become an Internet sensation where it’s been dubbed the 'Kallangur House of Horrors'.
"There’s a lot of jealousy out there involved in the people who have panels and the people who don’t have panels," Kerry said.
Last year the average solar household earned $300 from selling power, leading to a rise in the average bill of $60.
Big generators are also creating expensive issues in Queensland’s ageing electricity network. However, on the positive side generous rebates have lowered the cost of solar.
"The problem is that we have wires between poles and it was designed to flow one way," explains Craig Froome from UQ Clean Energy Institute.
"What we’re now asking it to do is flow two ways, and that is creating some issues for the transmission and distribution network.
"We’re actually preparing for when we run out of fossil fuels - it is going to happen."
It's also created innovation. Ray Edwards from Australian Solar Technologies designed his own sun-tracking system.
"It knows exactly where the sun is at any time of the day, 365 days of the year and points to it," he said.
The Queensland Government has dropped its feed in tariff from 44 cents per kilowatt hour to eight cents, providing less incentive to switch.
But as power prices rise, the incentive will return.
