Sunshine Coast Embraces Solar Power!

The Sunshine Coast Council is to be congratulated for the way it is embracing new technology in renewableenergy sources, and as part of its strong environmental protection policies it has now partnered with several solar companies to install silver cell solar panels on community buildings.

The project was partly funded by the federal government of Australia through the solar home and community program. Currently there are 3 successful installations; the Lake Kawana Community Center, the Caloundra Library, and the Glasshouse Mountains Visitor Information Center. 

Collectively the systems are making huge cuts to the city’s carbon emission and are expected to save 550 tons of carbon dioxide in a span of 25 years; equivalent to taking 15 cars off the road continually for 25 years.

Solar panel systems have improved rapidly in their efficiency of late so that smaller roof space is needed to give a high power output; for e.g. the panels on the Caloundra library can generate over 7000 kilowatts per annum which is enough to power half of its total power needs.

These sunshine coastsolar panel installations are just part of a wide range of initiatives at local, state and federal government levels, which reflectAustralia’s widespread commitment to sustainable practices and renewable energy use.

Numerous programs have also been implemented to promote the use of  Solar panels in Sunshine Coast. The Living Smart Homes Program offers households a well-designed plan for how to reduce your carbon footprint while saving money. The program will provide participants information about environmental protection and their role and responsibility to reduce their own carbon footprint.

The Climate Smart Homes is an extensive state government initiative as part of the Queensland sustainability grant to help solve global warming. The program will provide low cost energy saving products, information and services, and is providing widespread educationthrough its extensive media promotion.

There is also the Greener Living Program, which includes sustainable living resources and information and offers rebates to assist with installing solar panels, solar hot water, LP gas vehicle conversion and more.

Queensland’s Support for Solar Power

The success of renewable energy particularly solar power inQueensland has been a combination of comprehensive government programs and Queenslanders themselves who took the initiative to go green and be a part of carbon sequestration while reaping its financial benefits.

In all of Australia, Queensland ranks among the top tier in solar power use proving that Queenslanders are embracing solar technology and are committed in environmental protection.

The Government’s part

The Queensland government has implemented some of the most successful and comprehensive programs in renewable energy. Queensland’s feed in tariff scheme is currently the most generous and the most stable in the country with no signs of closure, the tariff pays eligible system owners 44 cents for every KW of surplus electricity fed back to the state grid.

Queensland has also implemented solar rebates and bonuses that subsidize the upfront cost of solar PV systems and solar hot water systems through STCs and direct rebate programs.

Furthermore the state has engaged in various solar power projects particularly in busy public places that showcase to the public how solar power in Queensland will benefit the state and the environment.

A number of medium scale solar power projects already commenced in the state and more are expected to follow in a few years. Projects like the solar power schools and the “Do the bright thing” movement played an essential role in behavior modification towards clean energy creating a strong sense of civic awareness and commitment.

Soon, construction will begin in Southwest Queensland for the Solar Dawn project, the largest solar power gas hybrid plant of its kind capable of generating 250 MW which will be an iconic feature of the state’s environmental commitment.

Queenslanders doing their part

Queensland’s solar capacity escalated from 250 MW to 500 MW in just 15 months, 3 years earlier than expected, accounting to 141,000 household who installed solar panels in their roofs and 230,000 solar hot water systems. Currently 8% of Queensland’s energy needs are supplied by these systems and the local government is aiming for a 20% supply in 2020 along with all of Australia.

Due to the rapid renewable energy growth, Queensland leads the country in carbon sequestration saving a total of 15 million tonnes of carbon since 2007 according to report released by the Council of Climate Change.

The GREEN economy

A few years back, there are less than 80 solar power companies in Queensland, but since the industry boomed in 2009 more than 500 companies were established employing thousands excluding employed staff from construction, operations and maintenance from government projects. Queensland is slowly transitioning to a low carbon economy paving way to new job opportunities, partly solving employment problems in the state.

2011 Australian Clean Energy Success

2011 has been both successful and controversial for renewable energy in Australia. Last year countless innovations and breakthroughs took place especially in the solar cell field but success didn’t come easy, the industry was also faced with numerous controversies and drawbacks.

Last year 2 of the most controversial clean energy issues broke out. Firstly most of the Australian state feed in tariff closed down or have cut back significantly that somehow took the life of solar industry secondly, during the last quarter of the year the federal government has successfully passed the carbon tax and now is officially a law. Both issues shook the Australian clean energy sector and the consumers but somehow have managed to survive despite the odds.

But good things surfaced for the sector as well and outweighed negative issues. Australian researchers made history a number of times by discovering, innovating and developing solar cell efficiency and manufacturing process making it cheaper and more viable in fact, solar PV prices continued to plunge last year, reducing solar energy generation cost almost paring with coal in both retail and wholesale market nationally. 2011 solar panels price range is almost half of 2009 PV price making 2011 one of the most prosperous year for the industry despite feed in tariff issues.

Australia embraced solar power last year than any other year; a 35 fold increase in solar powerinstallation has been recorded across Australia increasing the country’s solar power capacity significantly and reducing coal dependence proportionally.

Major solar power projects were also built and established last year, two Australian Solar Flagship programs (The Moree Solar Farm and the Solar Dawn Project) were finalised with the consortium last year and are set begin construction. Local government have also played their part installing solar PV panels and solar hot water systems in public places, schools, universities and integrating it with city councils’ operations reducing carbon emissions and introducing renewable energy to the public.

Giant leaps were also made in policies and government programs, numerous government policy amendments were passed and were given attention last year making it easier and more efficient to integrate solar power and other clean energy technologies across industries. Both the federal government and local governments have intensified subsidiary programs to make solar power more affordable to virtually anybody.

Non government groups and private institutions also played their part in spreading the clean energy virus. Countless conferences and seminars took place in major cities of the country attracting visitors by the thousands addressing timely issues and showcasing to the participants the benefits of clean energy and the difference they can make.

This year, many exciting and helpful programs are set to be implemented that will surely bring more success to Australia’s fight against carbon and bring the country a step closer to its renewable energy target.

Research and Development of Solar Technology Continues at University of Melbourne

Researchers from University of Melbourne, in collaboration with Monash University and several major industry partners, have launched a $7.2 million project that will further develop our current solar cell technology. The researchers aim to produce more efficient and cost effective solar cells, with particular focus on the manufacturing process and emissions involved.

Producing solar cells which can produce zero-emissions electricity will provide new manufacturing opportunities for local industries, and it is expected that the new technology will provide better commercialisation and increase the competitiveness of production processes across the country and worldwide.

The federal government of Australia will grant the research $1.7 million under the Australian Solar Institute, which is in addition to the $1.7 million grant already given by the Victorian state government.  The government funding is a part of the Clean Energy Future Package which is devoted to the support of existing renewable energy sources, and especially towards further research and development.

According to Resource and Energy Minister Martin Ferguson, the project aims to develop solar cells from organic materials and so eliminating any environmental impacts that traditional solar panels have. Another goal is to developing printing machines for newly discovered minute solar cells capable of mass production at very low cost.

The Minister said that the collaboration of researchers and industries will aid in the commercialisation of the technology and help unlock its variety of potentials. "Australia is a leader in solar energy research and projects such as this will help Australia remain at the forefront of this rapidly growing industry.”

The ongoing research and development into solar power applications provided by the University of Melbourne has already made a positive impact on the solar industry, which is being embraced by local residents and businesses.

Solar energy inMelbourne is becoming very popular and with new solar power developments happening regularly we can see a future where it will not be seen as an alternative source of energy, but rather the main source. Research like that occurring at the University of Melbourne together with the additional funding provided by the new tax on carbon will contribute greatly to Australia achieving our goals for carbon emission reductions by 2020 and 2050 especially as the local and international price of solar panels plunges it is not surprising to hear talk about the country reaching grid parity faster than anticipated. From 2008 to 2010 solar module prices have decreased by 50%.

Australia Making Great Strides With Solar Energy

Australia is one of the leading nations to make the switch for solar energy and finally get rid of dirty and polluted fossil fuel combustions. Thanks to the efforts of the government to encourage the use of solar power through rebates and incentives there has been an exponential rise in the number of its citizens & businesses making the switch to renewableenergy. Statistics shows that Australia is one of the countries that have less carbon emission, though we are a progressive nation with a lot of manufacturing & industry.

Australia was blessed in almost every way to triumph in the search for renewable and clean energy. The country’s geographical position and weather conditions made it highly favourable for solar panels whether it is for home or commercial applications. The sun hours are long, wet season and cloudy days are less likely throughout the year, and solar panel system owners can maximize their energy production whole year round. Another physical characteristic that the country has is that the average home space of 200 square meters per home makes decentralisation of energy production viable.

Aside from physical capacities the country also caters to another very important aspect in making any project a success, you guessed it right, funding! The Nation has one of the most comprehensive solar PV rebates and incentives schemes in the world, and though there is news that the solar multiplier will go down from 5 to 4 and will decrease more over the years, the scheme is still favorable and solar is making an excellent economic investment. The feed in tariff scheme in place also makes a very good deal for its citizens to make the switch to solar energy.

There are exciting times ahead in the next 5 years, as Australia is catching up to the world leaders in the large scale production of clean energy through massive solar energy parks, and the looming Carbon Tax provides strong incentive for industry to reduce their carbon emissions….. Every day home owners also have the opportunity to reduce or even eliminate their electric bills and reduce their carbon footprints as well, which is the primary global concern. This large switch to solarenergy is also expected to lift economic growth and provide many new jobs, as well as provide individuals with lesser burden of bills and an opportunity for a new avenue of income via the tariffs.

Queensland Doubled Solar Power Capacity in Just 15 Months

The Queensland government has been surprised by the very enthusiastic response of Queenslanders to solarpower technology. In April of 2010 the state government set a target to increase the state’s solar power capacity by 100% within the next five years, however to their amazement the target hasbeen reached in just 15 months.

The state’s capacity was escalated from 250 MW to 500 MW, which was including 141,000 households who installed solar panels in their roofs and 230,000 solar hot water systems. Currently 8% of Queensland’s energy needs are supplied by these systems, and the government is aiming for a 20% supply in 2020 along with the rest of Australia.

Queensland’s success in the renewable energy target is the largely the result of the government’s continuous and consistent efforts to encourage more and more households to install and embrace solar power in Queensland.

The Qld Premium Feed in Tariff, even with a few recent changes in the eligibility factors, still offers one of the best financial rewards in the country, and provides a strong investment return for households with a mid-size solar panel system who are connected to it.

As well as encouraging households to make the switch to solar energy, the state government has also been very supportive of crucial role to be played by large scale solar applications, andmultiple solar farms and solar power projects are in operation and planning across the state. Thanks to Queensland perfect climatic conditions for high solar output some of the largest renewable energy projects supported by the federal government will be established in Queensland in Chinchilla, Harvey Bay and Cloncurry over the next few years.

Queensland’s Virtual Solar Power Station

Queensland homeowners, together with the local government, are working hand in hand to build the state’s “virtual power station” run by solar power. This year the state has already celebrated a huge success by doubling its solar capacity from 250 MW in April of 2010 to 500 MW by July 2011, which is 3 years earlier than expected.

The Virtual Power Station

By its programs of solar rebates and the generous feed in tariff scheme, the Queensland Government hopes to build a decentralised power station by encouraging more of its residents to install solar panel systems and solar hot water systems in their homes, as well as businesses, community buildings and schools. Their policy is that every installed system is important in adding to the states solar capacity and will ultimately help in achieving the state’s goal.

How Can You Help

All rooftop solarpanels in Queensland will produce ample amount of electricity to power households, businesses and other establishments. This fact will lead to less electricity usage from the grid.

Furthermore if you install a solar PV system today you can also be part of the state’s environmental protection program. Step by step the federal and state government is inching towards carbon neutrality, to reverse the harmful effects of global warming and preserve a better future for the next generation.

What is in Store for You?

Huge financial savings awaits you simply by using less electricity from the grid through solarhot water systems or solar power systems. Even excluding the feed in tariff, scheme solar hot water can an average household around $250 a year and at least $450 savings for  a small solar panel system. And of course if you qualify for the premium FiT scheme currently on offer these figures can increase significantly.

So make sure you apply now while it is still available; all other state programs have closed to new applicants and the Queensland Feed in tariff scheme is the most successful and most generous in the country. More than 100,000 Queenslanders have already qualified and you can too!

Act Now! Install Today!

If you haven’t already a installed a solar panel system yet then now is the perfect time for you do so! System prices are at record lows, electricity prices are at record highs, and with the carbon tax being pushed through parliament there hasn’t been a time when solar has been a better investment than now.

It will even add to the value of your home and start to pay for itself immediately, the only improvement you can add that will do so.