Solar leads renewable energy production increases in 2010-11

14th Dec 2012

New national energy statistics show that solar power led the pack as the fastest growing renewable energy source in 2010-11.

Energy Account Australia, released Tuesday (December 11) by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed that domestic solar energy production increased by 26 per cent in that period.

For every winner there is a runner-up, and in 2010-11, that was wind energy, with an increase in production of 15 per cent.

The ABS reported that renewable energy production on the whole had steadily increased since 2008-09 by around six per cent a year.

Unfortunately however, it still only accounts for two per cent of domestic energy production.

Who's winning that battle? Energy produced by black coal. While this dropped by six per cent in 2010-11, it nevertheless managed to make up 55 per cent of domestic production.

Overall the mining industry was responsible for 94 per cent of energy production.

Household energy consumption increased by 0.8 per cent, but over the same time period the population grew by 1.4 per cent.

This is good news as it means that households used less energy on average in 2010-11 than the previous year. A real win for efficiency!

And on that front, NSW country town Temora is doing its bit to help energy efficiency really take off.

The Temora Aviation Museum will have its inefficient lighting systems replaced – a move expected to reduce energy consumption by a staggering 84 per cent.

How does it plan to afford this? Well, with the help of a $118,126 grant as part of the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP).

The CEEP is a competitive grant program providing co-funding for community and non-profit organisations to implement measures which increase their energy efficiency.

The town also hopes to enhance visitors' experience at the museum – a two for one deal!

Posted by Mike Peacock

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