Brisbane’s Switch to Solar Panels

Solar energy consumption has been has been a rapidly growing trend in Australia with nearly more homes installing solar panels in Brisbane in 2010 than in all the previous years combined. This is largely thanks to strong Australian federal and state government support which has made it more affordable for families to make the switch to solar energy through generous solar schemes and rebates. All Australian states have their individual guidelines and incentives in place, so check what you are eligible for before you make the decision to install solar panels.

There are three different types of solar panels; mono-crystalline, amorphous and crystalline, and a typical Brisbane home will have a combination of these three installed. Solar panels are an excellent investment in Brisbane thanks to the very favourable climate, latitude and long hours of sunshine which allow the solar systems to produce their maximum possible energy output. The state government currently has no cap in place on its feed in tariff scheme which means that you can sell back any excess clean energy you produce to your local electricity provider at a much higher rate than you are paying to buy their fossil fuel produced electricity.

A solar PV purchase is a big decision that shouldn’t be rushed into without expert advice, as there are many variables which influence the amount of electricity a PV system will actual produce into your meter box. This includes your allowable roof space & its aspect & angle, if there is any shading, how much electricity your family is currently using and of course your available budget. These factors should all be assessed during an in home consultation by a solar specialist, don’t rely on an over the phone quote.

There are other issues that need to be considered as well including; the specific components that make up your system, (especially the inverter which is crucial), and their design and optimum installation. All government solar rebates are only given on solar panels & inverters that are accredited to Australian standards (see the Clean Energy Council website for a list) for their quality and then installed by accredited installers.

Your solar PV system should last for 20+ years, so making sure that you purchase from long established manufacturers who are likely to still be around to fulfill their warranties is another important consideration that should influence your decision.

So before actually buying your solar panels look for a specialist in solar PV in Brisbane who offers an in home assessment to look at all of the factors mentioned above, can advise you about how to maximise your rebates and the feed in tariff, and has highly trained staff who understand how to correctly design a system that will give that maximum power output for the smallest investment.

Brisbane’s Environmental Plans for the Future

The city council of Brisbane had set an environmental target by the year 2026 with the goal being to optimise the city’s resources and empower the community towards holistic environmental protection. This includes water conservation, waste management, following 5 star green ratings for buildings and the widespread use renewable energy sources. All of these things combined are expected to create a better way of life for local residents through providing cheaper commodities as well as a cleaner environment.

In line with Brisbane’s target are a set of programs directed towards water efficiency and clean energy. The council and the state government have already implemented various schemes to promote the use of solar power in Brisbane and put a lot of effort into providing education and information about climate change.

In addition to that, in an innovative scheme the city is planning to invest in converting large open spaces in its urban district to build urban farms installed with solar panels.

These urban farms aim to:

1.       Reduce both food prices & the carbon footprint of production by making it more accessible and less prone to damages caused by natural phenomena.

2.       Improve the diet of its residents by attracting them to fresh nutritious foods by making it cheaper to eat well.

3.       The green roofs can power the urban farms independently, and possibly produce extra electricity to feed to the grid as well…..this will contribute to the city’s environmental efforts and reduce the cost of crop production though cheaper and better energy supply.

4.       Improve the solar industry in the city by increasing its public profile and showing working proof of how effective the technology can be.

If plans don’t change the project will commence in a few years, but meanwhile there are severalother sustainability programs already in place in the city, such as the Green Heart Program. 

Adelaide’s Solar City Program Going Strong

Adelaide’s Solar City Program is going strong, with another groundbreaking solar panel project successfully running in the city. The historic Adelaide markets, one of the busiest city districts, now has in place a 50 KW rooftop solar photovoltaic system. The installation consists of 288 solar panels and it is estimated it will reduce the market’s carbon emissions by at least 70 tons each year.

The flat roofing infrastructure of the market building provided the solar installers with a challengeto be overcome, but fortunately they were able to find a solution to enable sufficient tilting of the panels to maximise all the available sunlight and ensure the panels’ efficiency.

Dario De Bortoli, Adelaide Solar City Program Manager, said that the project is proof that solar power systems can be successfully integrated with historical buildings without any expensive renovations needed and this successful example will no doubt pave the way for other similar projects now.

Aside from installing their large scale solar PV system, the market is also adopting other environmental measures to make the central market as environmental friendly as possible. These include having traders diverting 90per cent of their waste from landfill each year, purchasing 50 per cent “green” and installing a charging station for cell powered electric vehicles.

The success to date of the Adelaide Solar City Program looks set to continue; the Federal Government  have granted the city a $94 million fund for its future solar projects.

Solar power in Adelaide is going ahead in leaps and bounds, in addition to the markets other public places that have renewable energy systems in place already include the Watershed Sustainability Centre, the Adelaide Central Bus Station, the Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Centre, the Aquadome at Elizabeth Way, and the MTU Detroit Diesel Australia facility at the Keylink Industrial Estate.

The residents of Adelaide can expect a lot more renewable energy projects including solar panels in the coming years as the city strives to be one of the top green cities in the country along with Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

Adelaide’s Renewable Energy Target

The Adelaide city council aims to reduce their own carbon emissions by 60% in the year 2012 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2020 together with rest of the city in Australia. The city council is determined to set a strong example and leadership, and has already implemented a number of innovative solar projects and other environment friendly actions and programs.

The council expects to reduce around 20,000 to 22,000 tons of carbon annually, which is equivalent to the emissions of nearly 3,000 homes in Adelaide. The government has allotted $1.3 million per year for the project and for other improvements.

In line with Adelaide’s efforts are a set of comprehensive programs to aid every household in the city in making the switch to solar power. Installing solar panels in Adelaide offer residents various rebates (applicable for properties in the city) together with bonuses and feed in tariff scheme currently available in South Australia. Be aware that this scheme will close on Sept 30^th and to be eligible your system must be installed and have a contract in place with your electricity gird provider by then.

Aside from these rebates, the city also offers special privileges on renewable energy products and services through the city’s solar projects. Households are also entitled for a home energy audit kit loan which will give you an accurate data on how much energy you use and tips on how you can reduce your consumption. This is very valuable as recent surveys have shown that nearly 95% of Australians are concerned about rising energy costs and want more information on how the can save money in this area.

The city also provides a different set of program for business across Adelaide through the Cityswitch program. The council has partnered with other city councils in Australia to give small businesses the opportunity to better their energy consumption by providing guidelines and assistance throughout making the switch to solar power.

Adelaide’s Solar City Program is going strong, with another groundbreaking solar panel project successfully running in the city. The historic Adelaide markets, one of the busiest city districts, now has in place a 50 KW rooftop solar PV system. The installation consists of 288 solar panels and it is estimated it will reduce the market’s carbon emissions by at least 70 tons each year.

The flat roofing infrastructure of the market building provided the solar installers with a challenge to be overcome, but fortunately they were able to find a solution to enable sufficient tilting of the panels to maximise all the available sunlight and ensure the panels’ efficiency.

Dario De Bortoli, Adelaide Solar City Program Manager, said that the project is proof that solar power systems can be successfully integrated with historical buildings without any expensive renovations needed and this successful example will no doubt pave the way for other similar projects now.

Aside from installing their large solar PV system, the market is also adopting other environmental measures to make the central market as environmental friendly as possible. These include having traders diverting 90per cent of their waste from landfill each year, purchasing 50 per cent “green” and installing a charging station for cell powered electric vehicles.

The success to date of the Adelaide Solar City Program looks set to continue; the Federal Government  have granted the city a $94 million fund for its future solar projects.

Solar power in Adelaide is going ahead in leaps and bounds, in addition to the markets other public places that have renewable energy systems in place already include the Watershed Sustainability Center, the Adelaide Central Bus Station, the Golden Grove Recreation and Arts Center, the Aquadome at Elizabeth Way, and the MTU Detroit Diesel Australia facility at the Key link Industrial Estate.

The residents of Adelaide can expect a lot more renewable energy projects including solar panels in the coming years as the city strives to be one of the top green cities in the country along with Melbourne, Brisbane, and the Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane City’s Environmental Goals to 2026

The long term commitment and the shared vision of the local government and community have led to the development of nine strategic programs to achieve the city’s long term goal of a more livable Brisbane by 2026.

The council’s strong need to act was broughtabout by 4 important issues that have been present over the years, and had not been addressed yet;

·         A continual increase the number of people calling Brisbane home

·         Electricity and fuel prices continuing to rise

·         the global challenge of climate change

·         skill shortages across many industries

Under their new vision the city will be focusing on promoting energy efficiency and environmental protection with a theme of “Clean, Green City”.

The Clean, Green City sub program will focused on be protecting and developing our natural environment through; preservation of our native plants and animals, limiting pollution, and making the c the city “greener” with renewable energy and water conservation initiatives.

The primary goals of theprogram are as follows:

1.       To restore 40% of mainland Brisbane to natural habitat - By appointing natural reserves and enriching native plants by planting and cultivation with community engagement and mobilisation.

2.       To reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 50% - Grants and programs were implemented in the city to encourage residents to install rooftop solar panels and replace electric water heating devices with solar hot water systems.

By adopting solar energy in Brisbane the city is expected to lessen the dependence on carbon intensive energy and so reduce the carbon footprint of the city.

3.       To reuse 100% of wastewater – The city promotes water conservation and the use of waste water by encouraging the use of rain water tanks and other water saving devices.

The program is directing many effective initiative in a well thought through and comprehensive plan for  the improvement of Brisbane, and it seems promising thatthe city can expect to achieve its goal as long as it gets sufficient support from the community.

Brisbane will continue to become one of Australia's most sustainable city with a pipeline of renewable energy assistive programs and continued support in behavioral changes throguh massive awareness campaigns.

Brisbane’s Green Office Program

The City council of Brisbane has launched a sustainability program called the Green Heart, which aims to transform the city into an environmentally friendly city in all aspects of the community and business. Its ultimate aim in conjunction with other projects is to reach carbon neutrality by 2026.

The program is an important part of achieving the city’s goal that is to increase the capacity of solarpower in Brisbane, reduce significant amount of carbon and foster behavioral change among its residents.

Part of the Green heart’s program is the City Switch Green Office Project which is encouraging offices and business across all industries to join the fight against carbon and increase their profits through minimising cost and increasing production at the same time.

 The city council of Brisbane has collaborated with the Queensland’s state government and related agencies to spread the project on a national level.

The city switch program offers free membership with a very minimal annual fee to National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS). Becoming a signatory to the program means that you acknowledge the serious threat that climate change will bring, and that you pledge that your business is committed to minimising these effects.

The city switch office program will assist your business in the following ways.

1.       Gives a 50% discount of free National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS) assessment.

2.       Provide a well-designed plan to improve your energy efficiency rating together with measures to reduce electricity bills and improve production process.

• 3.       Supplies your company with favourable positioning and promotion as an environmental leader
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• 4.       Provides a website resource for industry updates
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• 5.       Gives networking opportunities through business mobilisation and linking
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• 6.       Assisting in building an environmental friendly work place which makes you a more attractive employers
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• 7.       Supplies access to other energy and sustainability programs

Brisbane has been a true leader in environmental protection in the past few years and is continuing to prove why. The dedication of the Brisbane city council to its ambitious environmental goals are paying off as more and more business signatories join the city switch program and residents give their support in large numbers for the residential aspects of the Green Heart’s program.

Nationally, Brisbane’s campaign for renewable energy and carbon mitigation separate the city from the rest. The unique holistic approach and behavioral modification goal are just a few reason why it became one of the cleanest and most sustainable region in the country.

The historical Brisbane Convention Centre is now turning green! After receiving a $130 million budget for the convention centre’s transformation, the landmark will soon boast green technology in every aspect possible. The green improvements have passed international benchmarks, with a 5 star green environmental rating being given.

The convention centre will now utilise an underground water supply for toilets which accounts for a significant percentage of the total water consumption of the building. Along with this are water saving fixtures, which also utilise eco-friendly chemicals that aids with flushing and leaves behind a pleasant odour.

The new water system is expected to conserve nearly half of the previous water consumption of the entire building.

The architectural improvements also centers on improved building design for energy reduction. Glass panels are being placed around the convention centre to allow natural light in and save energy from light fixtures, and the structural form of the building will require less air conditioning. This will save considerable money on electricity bills and tons of carbon annually.

For greater energy savings the building has also installed energy saving lights, and a new skylight is a center of attraction which allows the entire building all available sunlight to enter during the day. As a bonus it provides a lovely scenic star view in the evening.

The final addition is of course solar power; Solar hot water systems have been installed to produce a sustainable amount of hot water for the centre’s needs, and some of the most advanced solarpanels in Brisbane will used to power certain portions of the building.

The city council also carefully considered all the materials used in the newly overhauled convention centre. Materials have been carefully picked to reduce environmental impacts, and all finishes meet the benchmarks for low volatile organic compound (VOC) content. All painted surfaces are low VOC paints. All carpets are low VOC and all adhesives and sealants are low VOC.

The project is part of the city’s aim to be the most sustainable green city in Australia, and the city council expressed their gratitude for the support and feedback they are getting from the community. Soon enough more environmental projects will take place in Brisbane, and the city is justifiably proud of its ongoing effective green initiatives.

Australia’s Remarkable Solar Power Growth

For the past couple of years Australia has made great strides with its use of solar power, to the extent that in the last 2 years we have had more solar PV panels installed for commercial and residential use then in the total time before that.

According to the Australian National PV Status Report the solar capacity of the country grew for more than 480% from 73 megawatts in 2009 to 378 megawatts in 2010.

The enormous growth in the industry was primarily driven by the Australian government’s solar bonuses and incentive schemes since 2008 which include solar rebates and the state feed in tariff schemes. More recently local councils have also been supporting various community programs to encouraged residents to embrace solar energy to reduce their electricity bills, and reduce their carbon footprints.

Recently demand has been assisted by the rapid reduction in prices of solar power systems thanks to increased demand & competition, more efficient manufacturing & improvements brought about by continued research and development in the industry.

In addition to the current small scale solar power credentials of the country are numerous large sized solar projects in the planning stages which will increase the figures above significantly.

For example; the Solar Dawn Project in Qld and the Moree Solar Farm in NSW are 2 of the largest of their kind in Australia, and will add another 400 MW of energy production between them once completed in a few years.

Also an announcement was recently made for the first utility scale solar projects in the country, which will be operational in the 3^rd quarter of 2012. Although the project is not as colossal as the two above the Greenough River Solar Farm is important as it will be opening doors to foreign renewable energy investments.

And thanks to the new billion dollars independently run commissions being establishedas part of the carbon tax program we can expect to see a more mid -large scale solar projects approved before the year ends.

The $10 billion Finance Corporation and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency are the two statutory body that will assist the country holistically from households to businesses in the transition of the country. The research and development of emerging technologies is also a focus of the two bodies.

On a smaller scale many local city councils including indigenous regions are exerting strong efforts to introduce solar power to their communities to introduce new jobs and foreign investment.

Australia’s Huge Support for Clean Energy

The solar industry in the country has had phenomenal success in the past two years thanks to the generous government programs and financial incentives. Before this year closes the industry expects another big boost as solar panel prices hit record lows and efficiency rates continue to increase.

Energy financial year breakdown (2011 – 2012)

Queensland

Queensland has one of the most successful solar industries in the country and the state government has announced its 2011 to 2012 budget for clean energy. A $32.9 million fund has been allocated to be used in various solar initiatives and to support solar infrastructure during the financial year, and another $34.5 million fund will be used to sustain the existing ClimateSmart programs.

Queensland will also be contributing a total $75 million to the Solar Flagship programs of the federal government. Large scale solar PV in Queensland will also get a boost from a $6.8 million budget throughout the entire financial year.

Northern Territory

The NT local government has allotted a $1.6 million budget for the implementation of its climate change policies in addition to a $300,000 fund for its research and development for the best environmental practices.

NT will also be focusing on tracking down their carbon footprint and upgrading their systems that allows them to do so.

Victoria

Despite the recent cuts in the feed in tariff scheme, the Victorian government has announced  majorfinancial support for clean energy in the year to come; providing over $90 million to fund the state’s sustainability and renewable energy projects.

The budget will be used to maintain existing programs, for the development of low emission technologies, and to continue to build community support& education towards a cleaner and greener Victoria in the future.

Western Australia

With over $100 million budgeted, WA will be working on various large scale solar power projects which include the Pilbira Underground Power Project and the Gasmere Wind Farm. WA will also be commencing a smart grid trial in the East Perth Metropolitan area and fulfill their role in developing new technologies to lessen their carbon emissions.

South Australia

SA will continue their generous support for eligible solar hot water system owners amounting to $500.

Tasmania

Although Tasmania has been quiet in the so called solar race, the state has allotted a million dollar budget to assess the regions renewable energy potentials and work from the results. Wind farms have been utilised successfully in the state also.

New South Wales

The NSW government has announced a $152 million energy subsidy budget to help its residents pay their electric bills, together with $36.6 million budget for the research and development of energy sources and to attract clean energy investors into NSW.