Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"

27th Jun 2013

A top renewable energy expert has come out all guns blazing against the media and politicians for obscuring the truth on sustainable technologies.

Giles Parkinson, editor of news provider Reneweconomy, blasted various groups for the misinformation thrown around when discussing green issues.

And it wasn't just the Australian market, Parkinson also attacked other countries for their approach to renewable energy.

He remarked: "It is staggering to observe that even in modern sophisticated economies such as the US, Australia and UK – which are supposed to have modern, sophisticated political systems (no really, don't laugh) – that the role of renewables in the world's future energy systems is constantly underplayed."

Negative media and government influence

Parkinson said the mainstream media could be blamed for obliging delays and inaccuracies promoted by the fossil fuel industry, instead focusing in pushing papers "in it's pursuit of division, fear and controversy".

Renewable energy is frequently portrayed to be expensive and superfluous, he explained – an indulgence, even.

"But the media is not solely to blame. There is a shocking lack of vision at the political level too," he stated.

While the Greens were excused, other parties were given a tongue-lashing, including Conservatives, who Parkinson noted often use sustainable energy as a scapegoat for other issues.

This often included unnecessary and inefficient grid upgrades in electricity markets, he said.

Renewables speak for themselves

But, according to Giles, this campaign against renewables is largely redundant – as the success of the technologies speak for themselves, including solar power.

"Already, solar PV – and the arrival of socket parity in more than 100 countries – is providing an economic rationale for investment in renewables, regardless of climate policies," he said.

Socket parity, also known as grid parity, is when alternative energy sources become so cost-effective that generating power through these systems reaches the same price or even cheaper than buying it from the grid.

Another technology reaching this level of production efficiency is utility-scale wind – and Parkinson suggested that large scale solar is coming up quickly behind.

He cited a recent International Energy Agency report that outlined how renewable energy will dominate global capacity investment, with $2 trillion likely to be pumped into the industry by 2020.

The Australian share of this market is – at a conservative estimate – $20 billion, Parkinson added, largely due to energy efficiency initiatives such as the Renewable Energy Target.

Posted by Mike Peacock

All solar power news categories

Government Rebate & Regulations
Solar Power & Technology


More Solar Power & Technology

Australia to be a part of huge Asian renewable energy growth
SunPower steps up to make solar more affordable
Canberra makes strides toward carbon neutrality
GTM puts solar's massive growth in perspective
Examining Australia's falling solar PV rooftop prices
Australia's shift toward renewable energy picks up the pace
Australia shines at solar decathlon
University of Queensland tapped as lead researcher on massive solar project
100 per cent renewable energy is possible in 10 years, environmental group says
Climate Commission releases report on solar progress
Aussie government actually shows spine for solar power
Be gone, skeptics: One million solar installations and counting
Australia embarks on its greatest solar journey ever
Australia looks to solar thermal for commercial success
Solar power helps King Island reach 100% sustainability
Australians 'heavy supporters of solar power'
Mildura solar plant officially unveiled
Solar power trumps other renewables in Australian minds
Sunshine Coast solar farm "fantastic initiative"
Sunshine Coast cashes in on namesake with solar plans
Energy storage 'could maximise solar power utility'
Solar powered family car - a world first?
Code of conduct for solar installers in the works
'Stop punishing households' for solar PV
Australian solar companies 'adjusting well'
Australian mining 'next solar frontier'
"Rooftop revolution" underway across Australia
Global PV market emerging from sluggish period
Royalla solar farm receives final approval
Leadership challenge a "debacle" for Australian solar power
Solar power giving global renewables a helping hand
Australia's largest CPV solar power plant up and running
Renewable energy misinformation "staggering"
CEC: Don't underestimate consumer desire for solar
Setting energy efficient examples on TV
Solar PV brightening up household bills
World's largest solar powered boat on the move
Climate change is heating up
The global solar power shift
New solar tech win for NSW
Industry orgs praise City of Sydney solar efforts
Clean Energy Council supports Regional Renewables scheme
Asian nations emerging as PV leaders
Solar PV demand continues to grow
Regional areas of Australia to receive more renewables
Australia's significant renewable energy growth
Solar panel reprieve for Queensland
New funding for solar research
Find love with sustainable speed dating
New Victorian solar power deal
 To get your quotes, please enter your postcode: