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Carbon Tax and Government Support – the Other Side of the Coin

September 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Last week we examined the point of view of academic Mark Diesendorf who stated that the much villified carbon tax will probably be insufficient to encourage renewable energy investment in Australia. This week we look at the opposing view and find that overseas renewable energy companies are indeed putting their hands in their pockets to fund renewable energy schemes in Australia, particularly those looking at exploiting our abundant sun.

These companies are looking at taking advantage of the positive renewable funding climate in our country, support which is expected to be funded through revenue supplied by the contentious carbon tax. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Carbon Tax, Economics, Rich Bowden, Solar Policy, Solar Power, Utility Scale Solar

What is wrong with this advert?

September 19, 2011 by 4 Comments

How do they get away with this!?!

Tell us what is very wrong with this advert…

Your answers in the comments or on our Facebook page please!

Filed Under: Dodgy Advertising

Will the Carbon Tax Boost Large-Scale Solar Projects?

September 15, 2011 by 1 Comment

By Rich Bowden

The debate over whether or not a carbon tax will be effective has split families, pitched neighbour against neighbour, divided loyalties and torn our nation asunder.

Well not exactly, but a real blockbusting start to this week’s column you have to admit!

More seriously, the question many SolarQuotes readers would like answered about the carbon tax goes something like the following. Will the carbon tax (assuming the legislation is passed) bring any benefit to the solar power industry in Australia? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Carbon Tax, Rich Bowden, Solar Policy, Solar Power, Utility Scale Solar

Clean Energy Council Puts Roadmap in Government’s Solar Glovebox

September 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment

By Rich Bowden

Mirror, mirror on the wall who's got the most sunshine of them all?

It’s a no-brainer right?

Australia is one of the most blessed countries in the world with regard to availability of solar power and solar intensity. We, along with the United States, are considered to have the greatest potential for the exploitation of solar energy in the world. So why has domestic policy not taken advantage of this? Why are governments, both state and federal, backpedalling from supporting solar energy initiatives?

This was the conundrum most recently outlined by the Clean Energy Council in their report released last week in their (unimaginatively named) Large scale< Solar Energy Roadmap).

“Australia has the highest average solar radiation per square meter of any continent in the world, yet to date we have not capitalised on the potential benefits of large-scale solar,” said the report. “The uptake and deployment of solar energy technologies globally remains dependant largely on domestic policy settings.”

Having witnessed the winding down of renewable energy schemes such as the feed-in tariff bonus scheme in many states, solar energy industry is now looking to large scale projects as the future.

However in an interview with the National Interest’s Peter Mares, chief executive of the Clean Energy Council Matthew Warren admitted that we have fallen behind other countries such as Spain and the United States. He said it was time we “become serious” over solar energy.

He added there was considerable “frustration” over the stop start research and development in solar technology pointing to the delay in allocating funding through the Solar Flagship program as an example.

Lack of a stable political environment is pointed to in the roadmap as one of the major issues facing the growth of large scale solar projects. Interestingly, Mr Warren explained that it was the banks who were the usual final arbiters of whether or nor major solar projects went ahead. If they felt there was enough stability in the political climate over a number of years, funds would indeed be released. Conversely if there was uncertainty, funding would be less likely to be forthcoming.

One of the key recommendations in the Council’s roadmap was that “Australia must create a stable and consistent policy environment to attract investment and capitalise on the growth of an international market.”

Is this achievable though with a vacillating federal government and the very real possibility of the next government being formed by a leader who has described climate change science as “crap”?

Your thoughts?

Download the  the roadmap here.

Filed Under: Rich Bowden, Solar Policy, Solar Power, Utility Scale Solar

Is WA’s Support of Solar Utilities at the Expense of Domestic Projects?

September 1, 2011 by 1 Comment

By Rich Bowden

When we think of Western Australia we generally consider mining booms, expanded gas projects, black swans and the West Coast Eagles football team (and Dennis Lillee and Rod Marsh for those of us with age on our side).

But as an Australian leader in solar technology? After a recent government decision to close down its solar feed in tariff scheme because of its (wait for it) popularity, the expected answer would generally be no. However recent developments in the West have shown government-owned corporations partnering up with the private sector to lead the state down the path of potentially being one of the country’s leading exponents of renewable energy.

According to an August 31 News Release from state-owned Verve Energy, the company, in conjunction with global energy giant GE Energy Financial Services and US-based manufacturer First Solar, will build a massive 10-megawatt project on an 80 hectare area of land located 50km southeast of Geraldton.

When completed, the solar farm will be Australia’s first utility-scale PV project, dwarfing other existing projects as it will be 10 times larger than any other operating solar project in the country.

“The solar farm is important for Verve Energy, for Western Australia and for the local renewable energy sector. It enhances Verve Energy’s reputation as a renewable energy innovator,” said Verve Energy’s Strategy and Business Development Manager, Tony Narvaez.

GE Energy also expressed delight at being involved in the project, pointing out the partnership enables them to look further afield in their renewable energy aims.

“This transaction enables us to apply our renewable energy investment expertise to a new market, add to our portfolio of projects with First Solar and to GE’s broader work with Verve Energy,” said Jason Willoughby, GE Energy Financial Services’ Australia business leader.

The WA Government’s has put its hand in its pocket (well the taxpayer’s pocket) to the tune of $20 million, including $10 million from the WA Royalties for Regions program.

Local media has trumpeted the decision, rightly pointing out that the WA Water Corporation has ensured the farm’s viability by committing to purchasing 100 percent of the energy for its Southern Seawater desalination plant in Binningup, in southwestern WA.

However is it unfair to suggest that the WA Government is more than prepared to commit taxpayers’ dollars towards larger utility solar projects while pulling the plug on subsidies that would kick start the domestic solar industry?

W.A., which helps keep the Australian economy afloat partly through hosting a large percentage of the fossil fuel mining boom, should also be suited to being the country’s Central Station of renewable energy. With its vast coastline, solar energy to burn (sorry!) and available space, the state is a renewable energy enthusiasts wet dream.

But will all renewable energy roads lead to Perth? Is the conservative Barnett government doing enough to support domestic solar initiatives in the state? Indeed what do you think are the most effective ways that the domestic solar industry be given a boost?

All comments welcome either here or at our Facebook site.

Filed Under: Feed In Tariffs, Rich Bowden, Solar Policy, Solar Power, Utility Scale Solar, Western Australia