Antinuclear

Big Wind projects getting investment in Australia, decentralised solar getting cheap

if you want to decrease your own electricity bill, then you are going to install a solar panel on your rooftop 

Wind power more likely than solar to attract investment, ABC Rural News, By Babs McHugh , 26/07/2012 A report on renewable energy investment has found wind power remains the most popular option. BCI Economics says $5.2 billion was spent on renewable energy technology in 2010-11, with the bulk of the investment in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Report author Franciska Mey says the number of solar PV panels on home roofs grew rapidly, but no large-scale commercial projects have got off the ground.
Ms Mey says unlike wind power projects, which offer a strong return on investment, big solar projects are struggling to find investors.
“The incentives and the funding is still not that secure, and you also
have the problem of securing a purchasing agreement, which means you
can find somebody you can actually sell the power to.”
Both the Federal Government and the Opposition have agreed on
renewable energy targets (RET), so all power generated in Australia by
2020 must come from renewable sources.
The Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Low Carbon Australia are two
financing arms set up help business achieve this renewable energy
target.
And the ultimate aim of the carbon tax is to drive investment into
energy generation from renewable sources.
Ms Mey says Australia has an some of the best renewable power sources
in the world to draw on…..
the price declines in renewable energy technologies, which applies
especially to solar PV, will bring the competitiveness,” she said.
“We have seen solar PV already reach grid parity in some parts of
Australia, and Australia is one of the first countries in the world
where this has happened.
“And grid parity means that the cost of producing energy from solar PV
equates to the cost of retail electricity.
“So with the price declines of the technologies and the increasing
electricity prices, it will not only be a question of incentives and
government funding, but it will be commonly accepted that, if you want
to decrease your own electricity bill, then you are going to install a
solar panel on your rooftop.”….
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/201207/s3554081.htm

July 27, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News