Yearly Archives: 2011
Keep Western Australia’s Electricity Market Diverse: SEA
by Energy Matters The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia (SEA) has continued its call against re-mergers in Western Australia’s energy industry, a possibility flagged by the Barnett government. The SEA has consistently opposed a remerger of Synergy and Verve, stating monopoly operations create barriers to developing a competitive market in Western Australia. “Energy market reforms [...]
Western Power spend to hit $5.8bn
WESTERN Power, the owner of Western Australia’s sprawling electricity network, plans to radically increase capital spending to a record $5.8 billion over the next five years in a move likely to lead to higher tariffs for businesses and households. The state-owned utility said yesterday it wanted approval to spend $1.6bn above its budget allocation to [...]
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s misleading claims
As the carbon tax legislation continues to be debated in Parliament, a story in today’s Canberra Times shows up some of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott’s misleading claims about renewables. Earlier this week, Mr Abbott is reported to have said there was no way you could have a solar-powered steel mill or a wind-powered manufacturing plant. Unfortunately [...]
CEC Large-Scale Solar Policy Roadmap
Australia has the highest average solar radiation per square meter of any continent in the world yet we are failing to capitalise on the potential benefits of large-scale solar. As we move towards and beyond the 20% by 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET), large-scale solar technologies will need to play an increasingly important role in [...]
Solar industry celebrates grid parity
The Photovoltaic Association says the drop in cost of producing power from solar panels has made solar power competitive with coal-generated grid power. Solar power generated by photovoltaic cells on Australian rooftops has become so cheap and efficient that they now produce electricity for the same price that is charged by the electricity grid. Australia [...]
Change to Victorian Feed-In Tarriff – What about W.A.?
The Victorian government have just released information confirming a new $0.25 Net Feed in Tarriff which will carry forward on at the cessation of the existing 100 megawatt cap which will be reached shortly. This is some positive news despite not being at the level the industry was lobbying for at $0.30 per kWhr. To [...]
Solar will force coal and nuclear out of the energy business
A solar energy revolution is brewing that will put the coal and nuclear industries out of business. Solar is already reaching price parity with coal in many parts of Australia. In contrast to coal and nuclear, solar is fully sustainable and safe. Solar is now an established industry that is growing very rapidly. The CO₂ [...]
American study shows that solar power does increase the value of your home
August 12th, 2011 · 12:39 pm @ admin - No Comments It stands to reason that adding an asset which cuts your electricity bills–solar panels–will bump up a home’s value. Now an economic study attaches numbers to solar panels’ real-estate value. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) recently released an analysis that found solar panels add between 3-4 [...]
Residential feed-in tariff scheme suspended after reaching its quota
Peter Collier Minister for Energy; Training and Workforce Development; Indigenous Affairs Mon 01 August, 2011 A State Government scheme designed to help residents recover the purchase cost of their renewable energy system has been suspended after reaching its quota. Energy Minister Peter Collier said the scheme’s popularity had led to the installation quota being reached [...]
Suspension of Nett Feed in Tariff Scheme
Suspension of scheme The Western Australian residential net feed-in tariff scheme has now reached its quota and was suspended on 1 August 2011. How will the suspension of the scheme affect you? Applications already received or postmarked before 1 August will be accepted. The State Government intends to accept applications from customers who can demonstrate [...]