By Rich Bowden South Australian investors in rooftop solar energy have been left shaking their heads after events in the state capital this week saw the solar feed-in tariff retained at 44c instead of the promised increase to 54c.
[Continue reading…]Solar Quotes Blog
Solar Subsidies : Let’s get the facts straight
Despite running a popular Solar Power website, whose revenue is seriously helped by generous Federal and State solar subsidies, it may surprise you to learn that I’m not a huge fan of government subsidy in any shape or form. Mainly because I have worked for the government and seen how inefficient they really are. Trust […]
[Continue reading…]What to Really Expect at the Second NSW Solar Summit
By Rich Bowden This week’s announcement by NSW Energy Minister Chris Hartcher that the Second NSW Solar Summit, to be held in Newcastle on July 1, will provide a “…key pathway to managing the development of the renewable energy industry in a consistent and sustainable manner,” brought a smile to my face. For wasn’t it […]
[Continue reading…]Push to Make Electricity Retailers Pay as NSW Coalition Continue Solar Spin Cycle
The issue of solar energy, and more importantly the backflip on the Solar Bonus Scheme continues to dominate debate in the NSW Parliament “bearpit”. Heroic efforts by the Coalition to contain fallout are matched only by attempts by certain Liberals to accept credit for the turnaround. Meanwhile injecting a new angle into the sorry NSW […]
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NSW Pollies Back Down On Daft Retrospective Solar Feed In Tariff Legislation
By Rich Bowden The NSW Government’s decision to reinstate the solar fund feed-in tariff to 60c per kilowatt hour has come in reaction to bitter criticism, not just from solar investors and the solar industry but all sides of politics. Opponents of the decision to reduce the compensation to 40c have emerged, not just in […]
[Continue reading…]How Economically Viable is Solar Energy?
By Rich Bowden A recent report by the University of Melbourne’s EnergyResearchInstitute has found that, not only is solar energy a viable form of energy, but that costs will compare favourably with traditional fossil fuel technology in the very near future. The report, the Renewable Energy Technology Cost Review May 2011, was commissioned by government […]
[Continue reading…]NSW Govt Opts for ‘Hardship’ Package for Out-of-Pocket Solar Customers
By Rich Bowden The NSW Government has refused to back down over its controversial decision to reduce the bonus feed-in tariff offered to households for solar power returned to the grid from 60 cents per kilowatt hour to 40 cents.
[Continue reading…]Liberal Hammers NSW Govt Over Solar Rebate Backflip
By Rich Bowden The newly-installed NSW Liberal Government has received widespread criticism for its recent decision to retrospectively reduce the tariff paid to households under the solar bonus agreement.
[Continue reading…]Solar Power Installation Tale of Woe
I just received a long email in response to my blog post about what to watch out for with ultra cheap solar power systems. After reading the email (published below) – It sounds to me (without knowing any other details) that the fundamental problem here may have been that the system was not properly designed […]
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