Antinuclear

Queensland govt axes solar farm project

Queensland Government Bails On Solar Farm Project
http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=3224 by Energy Matters, 25 May 12 The Queensland Government has withdrawn funding for Cloncurry Solar arm as part of a cost cutting campaign that may see other solar elated casualties.

The Cloncurry project was originally to be based on solar thermal
tower technology, but was switched to solar panels after significant
reflective glare issues became a concern. The previous Bligh
government announced it would provide financial support for the
revamped project in November 2010.

The 2.128MW Cloncurry Solar Farm was to have cost $6.76 million and
generate 3,700MW hours of electricity annually; enough  to power
approximately 500 households. The solar farm would have offset

Minister McArdle claims the government is working towards a “stronger
renewable and alternative energy sector with a targeted focus on
practical research and development of Queensland’s abundant renewable
energy resources.”

Soon after the Bligh government’s defeat, Queensland Premier Campbell
Newman set his sights on dismantling green energy programs deemed to
be redundant and a waste of taxpayer’s money. The news of Premier
Newman’s razor gang stirred up concern Queensland’s solar feed in
tariff may also be hobbled or axed for new connections; but appears to
be safe for the time being.

Currently the most generous in Australia, the incentive pays
households installing home solar power systems 44c per kilowatt hour
for surplus electricity exported to the mains grid. According to
information from Energy Matters, a 3.04kW solar panel system installed
in Brisbane can slash over $1,600 from a household’s electricity bill
annually.

May 25, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Queensland, solar | solar