Solar panels – literally our best investment
Home Solar: Australia’s Best-Performing Investment http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4131 20 January 2013 – National solar provider Energy Matters has released consumer insights that rank each town for solar viability and also reveal the true investment potential of solar power in comparison to shares, property, gold, global fixed interest or even fine art.
The figures will startle many; with it outperforming all other investment options using current ASX figures and other key organisations that rate investment opportunities.
The consumer insights also revealed Townsville in Queensland was Australia’s top address for solar, giving its residents a healthy return of investment of 21.8% per year. Other mainland capital cities included Brisbane (annual return of investment of 20.2%), Adelaide (19.1%), Sydney (18.9%), Perth 17.8%) and Melbourne (13.2%). Continue reading
Award to Australian university team for cost-cutting solar technology
Bright sparks scoop top award for cutting cost of solar power, The Age, 20 Jan 14 Peter Hannam ENVIRONMENT EDITOR, THE SYDNEY MORNING HERALD AUSTRALIA’S WORLD-LEADING EFFORTS TO DRIVE DOWN THE COST OF SOLAR ENERGY HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED WITH AN AUSTRALIA-BASED RESEARCHER TAKING OUT THE ENGINEERING EQUIVALENT OF THE OSCARS.
Professor Stuart Wenham and his team at the University of NSW won this year’s A. F. Harvey Engineering Research Prize from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and plan to plough the $560,000 award – one of the world’s richest – back into their work. “The prizemoney is going to be very valuable for us,” Professor Wenham said. “We’re going to use that to expand one of the research areas that actually contributed to winning us the prize.”
As Fairfax Media reported in May, Professor Wenham’s team discovered methods to control hydrogen atoms to correct deficiencies in silicon, the most costly material in solar photovoltaic (PV) cells.
As a result of the new hydrogenation process, lower-quality low-cost silicon can achieve the same performance as typical commercial cells using the expensive high-purity silicon, which now convert about 17-20 per cent of the sun’s energy into electricity.”
Abbott’s attack on renewable energy is bad economic judgment
The most baffling thing about Abbott’s assault on renewable energy is that it also flies in the face of economic good sense.
Australian PM Ignores Climate Change, Trades Renewables for Coal , Triple Pundit, ““““Eric Justian | Thursday January 16th, 2014 “……..The Australian government, under Prime Minister Tony Abbott, seems committed to exacerbating its nation’s climate woes. Even as his Environmental Minister approved a vast coal mine that will produce 40 million tons of CO2-emitting coal per year, Abbott is calling Australia’s strong renewable energy sector into question.
He’s cutting funding for renewables, threatening to remove the 20 percent renewable energy standard and even falling back on the old and largely debunked criticism that wind power has negative impacts on human health. Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council looked into the issue in 2010 and again in 2012. And now Abbott is calling for another review. Because, why not?
And just for good measure, he’s also dismantling Australia’s well-regarded plans for curbing carbon emissions and jettisoning the nation’s goals for carbon reductions………
Australia can power itself entirely through renewable sources like wind and solar power by 2040. They could do it affordably, reliably and cleanly — working towards reducing the climatic impact on the nation. There’s simply no benefit to moving back toward coal, and nothing but risk.At least the U.S. doesn’t hold a monopoly on climate change denialists in public office. http://www.triplepundit.com/2014/01/australian-pm-ignores-climate-change-trades-renewables-coal/
Solar power combats effects of heat wave in Australia
Australian Heatwave Solar Power Statistics http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4129 17 Jan 14, The contribution solar energy has made in combating the effects of the current heatwave is significant.
With electricity generation plants and mains supply networks feeling the strain of 40C-plus heat and demand caused by air-conditioning; solar has helped alleviate the pressure.
The Australian Solar Council has found that at their peak on Wednesday,solar panel systems were contributing the following as a percentage of state electricity use:
– 27.54% in South Australia
– 11.77% in Western Australia
– 8.14% in Queensland
– 5.38% in Victoria
– 5.23% in New South Wales
The value of this power was not only in the quantity, but also in its timing; with peak production between 2:30pm-5:00pm – a timeframe when demand is high. This helped to rein in wholesale pricing which has reached staggering levels at times and possibly reduced the number of blackouts and load shedding that may have otherwise occurred.
Load shedding and blackouts are not only inconvenient and can cause significant economic losses; the often sudden nature of these events can also be dangerous.
“As a community we should be congratulating those people who have made a significant personal investment in installing solar PV, which is now paying dividends for the entire community,” said John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council.
“Because solar PV produces electricity where it is used and does not need vast network infrastructure, the power that is produced is all being used to best effect, which adds up to a big saving for solar.”
“In a country like Australia where 1 in 100 year heat waves are becoming more frequent, solar is the perfect solution” said Mr. Grimes. “We expect more and more Australians to invest in solar PV systems to take control of their own energy future.”
While some states are yet to feel any relief from the heat, it’s reassuring to know that thousands of solar power systems are quietly working away delivering clean energy and helping to keep the lights and cool on indoors for many.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency, (ARENA) funding offshore wind energy
Ocean Power Technologies forms new offshore wind power funding agreement With Australian Government http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/36498/ocean-power-technologies-forms-new-offshore-wind-power-funding-agreement-with-australian-government/ 16 January 2014
A$66.5 million grant will be used towards the cost of building and deploying a 62.5MW peak-rated wave power station off the coast of Portland, Victoria. The agreement with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, or “ARENA”, is a Deed of Variation to the original Funding Deed, through which a A$66.5 million grant was previously awarded by the Commonwealth.
Among the important changes included in the new agreement are:
The incorporation of milestones for each of the three stages of the project
Acceleration of reimbursement of eligible expenses for stages one and two
An increase in the number of milestones to better support project cash flow requirements The agreement also recognizes the role of Lockheed Martin as the lead for systems integration of the PowerBuoys and overall program management.
A step forward for solar thermal plant in Port Augusta
Australian Youth Climate Coalition 16 Jan 14 We’re excited to share a great win with Repower Port Augusta
Today the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the South Australian Government announced that they have committed to funding for Alinta Energy to run a feasibility study into building solar thermal in Port Augusta.
This is a huge step forward in building our first solar thermal plant!
You can read more here:http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/1/15/energy-markets/arena-funds-port-augusta-solar-thermal-study
The Australian Greens BREAKING NEWS: South Australia is one step closer to having a solar thermal plant!
On a day when we are sweltering under record-breaking heat, and climate change looms large, it has just been announced Alinta Energy has received ARENA funding for a feasibility study into solar thermal in Pt Augusta.
A huge effort from the team at Repower Port Augusta who have worked tirelessly on this project, and great news for the Port Augusta community. Bring on a healthy clean energy future!
Reducing carbon emissions by Zero Carbon building
Beyond Zero Emissions has estimated that implementing its Zero Carbon Australia Buildings Plan could reduce Australia’s emissions by more than 15 per cent, or 90 megatons of CO2-equivalent.
Casting away carbon, street by street Stephen Bygrave 14 Jan, Climate Spectator, Australia’s homes are among the largest and most inefficient in the developed world. Then we wonder why our household energy bills and carbon emissions are so high.
There are, also, few ways we get feedback regarding our household energy consumption meaning we are mostly ‘driving blind’ when it comes to energy use and emissions from our homes – we get a bill at the end of the month or end of the quarter, far past the time the energy was actually consumed. The lack of instantaneous feedback makes it difficult to correlate our energy consumption to a particular event.
An inefficient home is also uncomfortable, it is draughty, damp, too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Live in North America or Europe and you will know what an energy efficient and low emissions home is like, and the opportunities that exist for energy efficient homes in Australia.
Our homes are a ripe area for direct action, with real benefits for the climate, our comfort levels and for our hip pockets. Continue reading
In Australia renewable energy now cheaper than fossil fuel
Renewables cheaper than fossil fuels in Australia BY DAVID TWOMEY · JANUARY 10, 2014 IT MAY COME AS A SHOCK TO SOME BUT EVEN WITHOUT A SUBSIDY THE COST OF RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AUSTRALIA HAS FALLEN TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS NOW CHEAPER TO PRODUCE THAN CONVENTIONAL FOSSIL FUEL POWER SOURCES.
This has emerged from a study produced by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), and shows that even without a carbon price, wind energy is 14 per cent cheaper than new coal and 18 per cent cheaper than new gas.
The BNEF study should certainly provoke a rethink by Australia’s conservative Liberal-National government as it sets about trying to repeal the country’s carbon price laws and possibly change the Renewable Energy Target (RET).
Prices for both renewable energy and fossil fuel-based energy have been changing rapidly in Australia Continue reading
Government divided on whether to kill Renewable Energy Target or just mortally weaken it
The renewable energy industry has said preservation of the RET was crucial for the future of billions of dollars’ worth of investment in large-scale renewable energy projects.
The Clean Energy Council said the RET was encouraging households to invest in renewable and efficient energy.
Cabinet rift on RET: Hunt firm amid scrapping calls GRAHAM LLOYD THE AUSTRALIAN JANUARY 11, 2014 THE federal government is badly split on what to do about the mandatory renewable energy target, which has been blamed for rising electricity prices and making manufacturing Australian uncompetitive.
The terms of reference are being finalised for a review, which was expected to look at whether the RET should be reduced in line with falling demand for power……..
Mr Hunt said the review would be completed well before the end of the year.
The RET forces large power users and retailers to source a fixed amount of their energy demand from renewable sources.
Nationals senator Ron Boswell is pushing to have it scrapped…….. Continue reading
Australian renewable energy technology: sales to Japan?
Renewable energy in Japan: opportunities for Australian businesses Ecogeneration , 10 January 2014 In an exclusive excerpt from the February 2014 edition ofEcoGeneration, Austrade Trade Commissioner in Sapporo Ian Brazier explains how the Japan’s feed-in tariff scheme has made solar PV their fastest growing energy sector, creating new opportunities for Australian technology, equipment and service providers.
……To diversify its energy mix, the Japanese government is moving towards bolstering renewable energy usage. In order to increase supply, a generous feed-in tariff (FiT) regime for renewable energy was introduced in July 2012.
To date, most announced projects that have come as a result of the FiT rely on solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and are based in northern Japan…..
What has been the big impact from feed-in tariffs?
The FiT regime has triggered a 4,086 megawatt (MW) increase in total deployed renewable energy project capacity from July 2012 to July 2013 (latest available figures). Of this total capacity, 3,916 MW comes from solar PV power generation.
The dominance of solar PV generation is likely to continue. Japanese government policy is that FiT will remain in place for at least three years and this will ensure continued solid growth…….
Residential solar is the second biggest growth area in renewables and is an area where Australia has commercial advantage that is of interest to Japan. Under the current FiT regime, each owner may sell only surplus electricity, with the duration of purchase agreements limited to ten years. 646375.png…….
Some large Japanese firms with expertise in large lenses and mirrors and speciality construction are looking to expand into CSP projects overseas, including in Australia. This presents possible inward investment opportunities for Australia in attracting Japanese direct investment.
New trends are also emerging in wind
There are a number of wind projects being progressed due to introduction of the FiT….. http://ecogeneration.com.au/news/renewable_energy_in_japanopportunities_for_australian_businesses/084932/
Australia has 2 million small scale renewable energy systems
Australia reaches nearly two million small scale solar systems http://reneweconomy.com.au/2014/australia-reaches-nearly-two-million-small-scale-solar-systems-66389 By Giles Parkinson on 9 January 2014 Clean Energy Regulator says Australia now has 2 million small scale renewable energy systems – enough to power Perth, Hobart, Darwin and Canberra.
Australia has now installed more than 2 million small scale renewable energy systems – reaching the target just eight months after the country achieved its first one million rooftop solar systems.
The announcement came from the Clean Energy Regulator, which manages Australia’s renewable energy target. The total is made up of 1.83 million small scale solar systems (both rooftop PV and solar hot water, and 173,000 air source heat pumps – see graph below).
The CER said the data underlines the fact that investment in small-scale renewable energy continues to flourish in Australia. Nearly all subsidies have been removed for small scale installations, although rooftop solar and other systems still benefit from renewable energy certificates. Continue reading
Renewable Energy Target (RET) makes good business sense
The RET and greedy grid owners Online opinion, By Luke Beattie Tuesday, 24 December 2013 We need a rethink on the motivating factors of renewable energy. On one side of the coin it’s the reduction of pollution produced by burning fossil fuels. On the other there’s a real and quantifiable cost reduction for businesses that are impacted most by rising energy costs…….
What’s emerged is a resilient and viable industry that isn’t reliant on Government incentives. A general population that can, for the most part, afford to buy a basic solar system to reduce cost of living pressures. But it doesn’t end there.
Many companies, including those in the manufacturing industry, have installed privately-funded solar systems in order to reduce their energy and also to hedge a portion of the cost of energy over the long term. These commercial solar systems do not place excessive pressure on the grid infrastructure. Many are non-exporting and are just used to manage their base load.
Regardless of the Prime Minister’s personal views on the science of climate change, it makes economic sense to encourage high energy consumers in the manufacturing industry to look at integrating renewable energy into their supply. Even China has recognised the value of renewables in industry and is well on track to achieving their goal of 15% renewable energy production by 2020. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from their commitment?……. Continue reading
Tony Abbott getting ready to reneg on the Renewable Energy Target
“If Tony Abbott goes ahead and breaks this election promise, he will severely damage Australia’s efforts at reducing carbon pollution,”
Tony Abbott inclined to drop RET: Mark Butler SID MAHER THE AUSTRALIAN DECEMBER 24, 2013 LABOR has accused Tony Abbott of preparing to break an election promise on the Renewable Energy Target as Nationals senator Ron Boswell called for the scheme to be scrapped completely.
After The Australian reported that senior electricity industry executives had begun talks on the possible shape of a new scheme in anticipation of government changes, Labor’s climate change spokesman Mark Butler said the RET had been a “clear policy success”, driving investment in wind and solar power and creating thousands of clean energy jobs.
But Senator Boswell, who has been one of the most outspoken critics of the scheme, said the RET should be “scrapped altogether…” Continue reading
Western Australia’s phenomenal uptake of solar energy
Western Australia Solar Uptake – From 1 To 130,000 http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=4096 26 Dec 13 The growth of residential solar power in Western Australia in the area serviced by Synergy has been nothing short of phenomenal. Continue reading
Queensland and Western Australia’s bizarre decisions against renewable energy
Why Tony Abbott may spark an Australian energy revolution REneweconomy, By Giles Parkinson on 19 December 2013 “……….The Queensland and WA governments are the most vocal opponents of renewable energy and rooftop solar. Yet it is they who are managing what are quite possibly the most unsustainable fossil fuel grids in the world. Both states rely hugely on subsidies (totaling $1 billion a year) to deliver the fossil fuel to the socket, and the government-owned entities still make losses.
The fact that they are trying to stop the rollout of solar and storage, and extend the life of moribund assets, beggars belief. The bizarre decisions taken in WA, where the government proposes to extend the life of its main mis-firing coal-fired generator, to subsidise the construction of diesel-fuelled peaking plants that may never be switched on, to retrospectively change solar tariffs, and declare it is no longer interested in large-scale renewable energy development, is just a taste of the extraordinary decisions being made…….http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/why-tony-abbott-may-spark-an-australian-energy-revolution-64382
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