Search Results for: south australia

Will the states call the shots in solar power policy?

March 31, 2014 2017-10-25T10:05:21 by 2 Comments

the states of Australia

The sweep of Coalition victories throughout the land has been abated with the narrow victory of the incumbent Weatherill government in South Australia but what does this mean for solar power policy?

As the always perceptive Giles Parkinson points out in his regular column for RenewEconomy, there is now some push back from state politicians over solar energy policy throughout the country. This (perhaps) as they understand (a) that the rest of the world is already moving towards a renewable future and (b) most importantly, ordinary Aussies have voted with their rooftops for a solar power policy.

“.. the return of the Jay Weatherill Labor government in Adelaide, the election of Will Hodgman in Tasmania, and the ambition of the ACT Labor government means that there are some counters to the apparently ideologically driven opposition to renewables in the federal government,” said Mr Parkinson. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy Tagged With: ,

Is crowdfunding solar power the future financing model?

March 17, 2014 2017-10-25T10:05:51 by 4 Comments

 

a crowd in front of solar panels

Crowd Funding Solar Is A Growing Trend

Will crowdfunding solar replace more traditional methods of funding solar energy readers?

At the time of writing we appear to be headed for a clean sweep of conservative governments across Australia (with the exception of the outpost of ACT). Though it is possible that the relatively progressive Weatherill government may retain government in South Australia through postal votes, it must be considered that the governments throughout the country will trend away towards support for renewable energy including solar.

Perhaps the relevant question is: Would this be a bad thing? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Economics Of Solar Tagged With: , ,

Independent inquiry to support solar for Port Augusta? Yes minister!

October 21, 2012 2017-10-25T10:21:40 by Leave a Comment
yes minister

The news of a Inquiry into Solar at Port Augusta is awesome! But let’s hope it is not hijacked by vested interests…

Recent efforts by solar activists to force the South Australian government to replace the current coal-fired station at Port Augusta with a solar thermal power station appear to have borne some fruit. Last week SA Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis announced the setting up of an inquiry into the feasibility of building a solar thermal power plant to replace the ageing fossil fuel plants that currently supply 40 percent of SA’s energy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy Tagged With: ,

Learn About The Adelaide Solar Cities Project

February 28, 2012 2017-05-02T11:00:09 by Leave a Comment

If you live in Adelaide and want to learn what the pollies are spending your taxes on then come along to the Australian Solar Energy Society, South Australia Branch’s public meeting tomorrow 29th Feb in Goodwood and say hello!

  SOLAR CITIES – PUBLIC MEETING

Speaker:  Dario De Bortoli, Adelaide Solar City Program Manager

When:  Wednesday 29 February 2012 commencing 7:00 pm

Where: Goodwood Community Centre, 32-34 Rosa Street, Goodwood 5034

(Location Map:  http://is.gd/ZrLFfX.  Car Park, Tram, Train and Bus services all conveniently serve this venue)

Cost:  $5.00 payable at venue door – all welcome!   (AuSES Members – Free)

Reservations:  To assist with catering, please provide your name and the number of people in your party via email to AuSES.Adelaide[AT]yahoo.com.au

This presentation will discuss the background to the Solar Cities Program, the expected benefits, targets and progress to date, community engagement strategies, the solar trial, the cost reflective pricing trial, energy efficiency initiatives and the home energy assistance program.

Presented by: Dario De Bortoli, Adelaide Solar City Program Manager

Dario is an employee of Origin Energy Ltd and is responsible for the management and ongoing delivery of the $65 million Adelaide Solar City project.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With:

Will Port Augusta Point the Way to the Future of Solar Power?

November 7, 2011 2017-10-25T10:34:06 by 4 Comments

This week’s column will take you into the realms of fantasy (if you’re a talk radio shock jock or anti-renewable pollie). Yes folks we’re treading into the dangerous territory of the concept of solar energy as baseload electricity.

For years one of the constant carping criticisms aimed at renewable energy in this country has been that it won’t provide baseload power resource in the same way as good ole fossil fuel-derived power. The argument goes that when the sun stops shining, or the wind stops blowing, renewable energy cannot deliver.

While the criticism may well have been a smokescreen thrown up to keep high polluting coal plants in operation, the point is valid: how can you rely on a source of energy if the power it creates cannot be stored?

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Big Solar Tagged With:

What Races Like the World Solar Challenge Mean for the Future

October 21, 2011 2017-10-25T10:35:15 by 1 Comment

All eyes are on the victors and their vehicles as the Japanese solar car from Tokai University cruises over the finish line to take out the 2011 Darwin to Adelaide World Solar Challenge. Much like the Melbourne Cup, the winning teams and owners are interviewed, their conveyances hailed as wonders of the modern age and we all look forward to the next race. But then what?

Twenty years after the first World Solar Challenge, solar panels have yet to make it on our everyday cars in a meaningful and viable sense and we still rely heavily on fossil fuels for our transportation needs. However the rigours of the race, through some of the most inhospitable terrain on the planet, provides an excellent test for teams, who are sourced mostly from research institutions. Throughout the World Solar Challenge’s history it has flown the flag of sustainability and encouraged research into the future of alternative energy-driven vehicles.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Uncertainty for SA Solar Industry as Parliament Rejects Feed-in Tariff Increase

July 1, 2011 2017-10-25T10:40:12 by Leave a Comment

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.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Policy Tagged With: ,

Huge EV Charger Rollout At Sydney Hospital

July 10, 2024 2024-07-10T06:04:30 by 1 Comment

EV charging at Children’s Hospital at Westmead

This project slipped under the radar, but is well worth mentioning – dozens of EV chargers were recently installed at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Solar & Storage News

Need More Solar? How To Upgrade Modern Systems (Under ~12 Years Old)

July 5, 2024 2024-07-09T21:41:47 by 14 Comments

solar inverters

If you’ve had solar power for a few years and found your bills are getting uncomfortably high, you could probably use more solar yield. However, as we’ll explain, it’s not as simple as plonking more panels on the roof. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Solar Installation

Endeavour Energy’s New Two-Way And Free Solar Soak Tariffs

June 21, 2024 2024-06-21T05:14:13 by 6 Comments

Endeavour Energy solar tariffs

NSW Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) Endeavour Energy is introducing two-way tariffs for solar owners starting next month. Find out how this will work and also about Endeavour’s new free “solar soak” tariff. [Read more…]

Filed Under: General Solar & Storage News
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