Pricing carbon emissions has been shown to provide the most economical way to reduce a nation’s carbon emissions and addressing the problem now is will cost less than letting it cause more serious damage to both the economy and the environment.
While there is understandable concern amongst some people that this will place a further burden upon their cost of living this will not be the case; as soon as the carbon tax is implemented the government will issue a tax cut program to subsidise any added expenses incurred, and these tax cuts will rise if further offsetting is required.
The carbon tax package will create strong financial motivation for thegeneral public, businessesand especially the top 500 polluters in the country, to find and innovate more effective ways to reduce carbon emissions. This will promote more extensive use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar energy, which are currently the two top contenders in the industry.
As more large scale renewable energy investments are made the cost of the clean energy they produce will reach parity with the cost of coal generated electricity quite quickly, as their costs will fall while traditional energy costs are ever increasing. The less carbon intensive energy we use the less we will pay for our electric bills!
As renewable energy becomes more economically feasible in our country it will encourage large scale international investment into the industry in Australia instead of it going into more established European nations. Clean Energy investments by major worldwide corporations are already in the billions of dollars every year, and this will have a very positive influence on our country’s economic future.
Currently two large scale solar power projects are underway, The Moree solar farm will be largest of its kind utilising solar PV technology; the project is expected to generate 150 MW of clean energy. Construction will take place in the state of New South Wales flanking the town of Moree by 2012 and when completed the solar power farm will be comprised of 650,000 solar panels and will deliver new job opportunities during construction and eventually lift the local economy.
Paired with the Moree solar farm is the solar dawn project which will take footing in Queensland. The 250 MW project is a natural gas hybrid combined with CSP technology. Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems or concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems are systems that use mirrors or lenses to concentrate a large area of sunlight into a small area. Electricity is produced when the concentrated light is converted to heat which drives the steam turbine connected to an electrical power generator.
The carbon tax package will provide the necessary funding to propel our renewable energy industries forward, and is expected to create many“green jobs” in the near future which currently don’t exist.
The carbon tax alone has the ability to create a stable green economy and the economic benefits are expected to far outweigh any drawbacks.So the implementation of the carbon tax is not only for environmental protection and to preserve our quality of life for the future generations, as important as that is.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Sunshine Coast Energy Plans for the Future
The city of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland has expanded and progressed rapidly compared to some other major cities in the country, and of course this population growth of the city is directly proportional to its carbon emissions. The city council is now concerned about how to reduce their carbon footprint and the impact of spiralingelectricity priceswithout compromising the economic potential of the city.
In response to that, the council has launched a transition program to prepare residents and business owners on the Coast for major changes in energy production.
The Sunshine Coast Energy Transition 10 year Plan launched last year is driven by environmental concerns and energy prices, and will also tackle current energy difficulties, and how to nurture new opportunities in the future.
The transition plan will primarily aid the city in:
· Reducing the dependence on expensive fossil fuel produced electricity.
· Nurturing work opportunities through clean energy projects.
· Creating a sustainable future, with environmental issues and quality of life for residents a major consideration.
The city aims to achieve the above goals by implementing the following actions:
· Extensive support for solar power in SunshineCoast and also other potential renewable energy sources like wind, hydro and new age technologies.
· Establishment of a biodiesel industry.
· Energy efficiency measures in all government owned buildings and facilities.
The transition program is a giant leap in the Coast’s “Our Place Our Future” campaign, which aims for a strategic approach in a sustainable and better Sunshine Coast in the future.
The program sets a strong framework for all future projects of the city directed towards clean energy and carbon reduction. The strategic approach will revolutionise all projects and will minimise policy errors and project failures.
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.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
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.
Monday, January 2, 2012
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.
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