Solar News
At last week's student strike I was asked to speak about how renewable energy and RPC can help people take action to solve the climate crisis.
As recently put by a well read commentator, we live in the Age of Mumpsimus, that is, an age characterised by clinging to traditional customs or notions although shown to be unreasonable.
On November 16th, the Climate Change Minister Greg Combet announced that the solar credits scheme will stop at the beginning of next year.
100,000 grid feed applications were lodged last month before QLD's Solar Bonus Scheme was reduced from 44 to 8¢ per kWh.
Since 1. July 2012 Energy retailers are required to contribute to the cost of the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme. As a result, voluntary feed-in tariffs are now under review.
From 10 July 2012 the Queensland Solar feed-in tariff will change from 44 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) to 8 cents per kWh for all new customers.
If your solar system or wind generator has been approved under the Solar Bonus Scheme it must be connected to the grid by 30/6/2012.
A micro-hydro system can produce sustainable power 24hrs a day, if you have a property that has a water course with a significant drop in height.
The Australian Energy Market Commission predicting a 42% increase in NSW retail electricity prices by 2014 due to the electricity networks being unprepared for the soaring peak demands.
South Australia's fire services have moved to correct a growing assumption about house fires at properties where solar power is installed.
Since the NSW Gov't came to power we have seen our industry decimated by indecision and a review that has ignored the broader benefits solar brings to our community.
Head to the NSW Liberal government website and you will find a strap line reading: 'After 100 days in office we've shown we're a Government that delivers'.
SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association) have an online petition urging the NSW Government to reinstate a fair feed-in-tariff.
The Premier, Barry O’Farrell, has been forced into negotiations with the minor parties holding the balance of power in the upper house after a backlash against planned changes to the solar bonus scheme, with anger growing among his backbench before a party room meeting on Tuesday.
SOARING NSW power bills are partly due to flawed government regulation that encourages massive over-investment in towers and wires and pays inflated returns to state-owned electricity transmission and distribution companies, a report has found.
The NSW government has locked in a future with coal-fired electricity, flying in the face of its own policies.
Possibly the most outrageous public policy decision in a generation.
read the article here NSW’s long-term relationship with coal
we are speaking to as we lead up to this rally – and beyond as we continue to lobby for the return of balance, a fair feed-in tariff for rooftop solar generated power in NSW and solar policy stability nationwide.
Claims being made in the media state that 'Solar Power will result in large increases to power bills'. Read the Australian Photovoltaics Association (APVA) response.
the full report for the Feed In Tariff, bonus scheme report can be found on our site here
What has changed? * Is the tariff a gross or net tariff? * What is the difference between a ‘net’ and a ‘gross’ feed-in tariff and ‘net’ and ‘gross’ metering? * What if I have already purchased my system? * What is a legally binding agreement?
and much more. [Original article no longer available].
his explanatory note relates to this Bill as introduced into Parliament. Overview of Bill The object of this Bill is to make the following changes with respect to the solar bonus scheme (being the scheme for the payment of electricity supplied to the network by small retail customers using complying generators):
People who order solar panels after midnight last night will receive only 20¢ a kilowatt hour for power generated, down from 60¢, throwing the solar industry into turmoil.
some articles can be found here
A summary of funny and interesting findings by the Australian audit / inspection program
Consumers are advised to choose established solar installers using quality panels and inverters.
The government's definition of an 'existing customer'.