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Tiny Tokelau Takes on the World With Solar PV Plunge

December 19, 2011 By 1 Comment


By Rich Bowden

One of the least reported, though possibly one of the most important, announcements to come out of the recent climate change gabfest in Durban earlier this month was the one from tiny Tokelau, with a population 1,500 (and three cars as reported by the Guardian). The Pacific state said it is planning to replace its aged diesel generators with a $US7.5 million solar PV system.

The move, if it goes ahead, will mean Tokelau becomes the first country to source 100 percent of its energy from renewables with around 93 percent of the its energy being sourced from solar and 7 percent from locally grown oil. The tiny Pacific microstate, situated halfway between Hawa’ii and New Zealand — from which it is administered — used its platform at the Durban talks to mischievously call on the rest of the world to follow its lead.

Skilfully using his moment in the sun (ahem), leader Foua Toloa told a meeting on the fringes of the UN climate conference that “By September next year, we will become the first nation using 100%-renewable energy, and number one in percentage greenhouse gas reduction in the Pacific and elsewhere.”

The country has decided to become a world leader in terms of percent of its use of solar energy to set the example to reduce carbon emissions. Tokelau is one of the Pacific islands which will be most affected by any changes in sea levels brought about by global warming.

All great I hear you say, but there is one fly in the ointment (or cloud on the horizon) — funding for the venture is not fully secured. According to The Guardian report, the tiny state must find $900,000 of the share of the $7.5 million project, money the microstate was hoping to obtain  from the Green Climate Fund. The fund was agreed to by countries in last year’s Copenhagen talks however while launched officially at Durban, matters such as how to unlock finance from the fund as well as finding sources, have yet to be determined.

But good luck Tokelau…the world’s leader in the use of renewable energy as a percentage of its energy (if all goes well). Whether this will be the template for other Pacific nations who are also threatened with climate change, remains to be seen. If it eventuates, Tokelau will expect to save 12,000 tonnes of CO2 during the operational life span of the 1MW solar power plant,according to The Guardian.

Toloa is obviously proud of his country’s world leadership in renewables. “No more noisy generators will disturb the quiet of the islands. We will be an example to the world, even though we have done nothing to deserve this,” he said.

Filed Under: Global Warming, Pacific, Rich Bowden, Solar Panels

Big Solar in Box Seat After Carbon Tax Announcement

July 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

By Rich Bowden

This week’s big ticket news item for the solar industry and its consumers was the fillip given to the sector by the federal government’s long-awaited carbon tax announcement.

While there is some debate over whether or not the carbon price announced last weekend will go far enough to achieve its primary purpose (i.e. significantly decrease the level of carbon emissions in Australia) there appears to be little doubt that the renewable energy incentives attached to the legislation will go a long way towards rejuvenating the renewables sector, particularly solar energy.

“Solar on steroids” was how John Grimes, chief executive of the AustralianSolarEnergySociety (AuSES) described the Clean Energy Future announcement, adding that the solar industry was the real winner to emerge from the package. He focused on the earmarking of $10 billion, half of which will be made available for the renewable sector from a new investment bank, hailing it as a major step forward.

“The $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) – half of which is quarantined for renewable energy – will provide the financial settings that Big Solar projects need to get off the ground,” said Mr Grimes in a July 10 media release.

“AuSES has consistently argued for the establishment of an independent green investment bank, and we are very pleased that this is coming to fruition,” he added.

Of course the government, sensing the importance of getting any deal on renewable energy absolutely right, was out of the blocks in a hurry to promote the package.

Senator Chris Evans spruiked the future of Australian solar energy under the new carbon regime.

“We’ve got enormous potential in solar and wind and wave which has been largely untapped and the impact of the carbon price will make them more competitive,” he said to reporters.

“Companies will be looking for alternative energy and so we’ll see the investment that hasn’t occurred yet that we need to see to change our energy sources.”

So back slaps all round from the solar energy industry? Well yes, particularly if the planned CEFC does provide the impetus the solar industry needs in areas such as research and development. While details have yet to be ironed out regarding loan guarantees to be made available by the loan investment bank, it appears Australia’s “Big Solar” is delighted with the outcome if the reaction from innovative green technology company Greenearth is anything to go by.

Mark Miller, company managing director, was clearly in an upbeat mood in a ProactiveInvestors report of July 12.

“Sunday’s announcement by the Commonwealth clearly supports our strategic diversification into the broader renewable energy market (Greenearth Solar Energy) and in particular the burgeoning energy efficiency sector”, he said.

Will the carbon price package, and in particular its incentives for renewable energy, provide that certainty so desperately needed for solar investors? Is this the fillip that will turbo charge solar power as a viable alternative? Or another false dawn? I’d love to hear your views.

Filed Under: Economics, Global Warming, Rich Bowden, Solar Policy, Solar Power

Will Solar Power Save The Planet?

April 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I suppose some would call me a “Greenie”.  Heck, I call myself that sometimes.

Like any good Aussie, I love the outdoors, the sunshine and the surf. I’m deeply grateful for the beauty and majesty of our planet. It pains me when I see it being brutalized, plundered or wasted in the name of laziness or greed.

And I do believe that we have a responsibility to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. I believe that a lot of the political and economic tension that our world currently faces could be reduced with more responsible use of the limited resources we have at our disposal.

And I believe solar power will play a central role in an improving the relationships with our political neighbours and our natural world.

But, I don’t believe solar power is the answer to all our problems. I don’t believe solar power is the great savior of our planet. I don’t believe solar power is right for everyone. I don’t believe we should make too big a deal of solar power.

Why not? Because it’s too easy.

And easy answers are usually a cop out. The refuge of the lazy and the uninspired.

Solar power is PART of the answer. It might be part of the answer for your home.  But it is not the WHOLE answer.

When solar is combined with other energy-saving strategies, its power is multiplied and magnified. If not, it simply becomes a “let’s throw money at it and hope it goes away” solution.

In fact, as I pointed out in my series of energy saving tips, most homeowners could cut their energy consumption by 30-40% by doing simple things around their home WITHOUT even installing solar power. Things that don’t cost thousands of dollars to implement. When these practical, simple steps that address how we live day to day are combined with solar, then you get the HUGE benefits that really make a difference and might actually save the planet.

Solar power is a great idea for many Australian homeowners and the government is making it very attractive for you  right now, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s a cure-all for the world’s energy ills.  It’s a good idea but only PART of the solution.

Filed Under: Global Warming, Solar Power

Is Global Warming a Hoax and Solar Power a waste of time?

August 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Most of my websites are all about energy efficiency and also using technologies like solar power to get your electricity bills down.

Of course, a huge motivation to do this is that many people believe that CO2 emissions damage the environment though global warming.

Other people are motivated financially. Others just like the thought of taking responsibility for generating the power that their household uses.

Whatever your personal view on Global Warming, you can’t have failed to sense a growing scepticism about the issue recently.

A lot of folks are wondering whether the whole thing is just one big hoax by vested interests. For example: Scientists who want research dollars. Or Pollies who want an excuse to collect more tax dollars.

So what’s the truth? Is it a hoax, or if you don’t believe in mass conspiracies, are the majority of climate scientists simply getting brainwashed by the research dollars waved at them?

Well, anything is possible!

I certainly live my life by the adage, that if the government, says something is a given – then usually the opposite is true…

Example BS pedalled by the government:

• the US Banking System being safe as (sub prime) houses,
• the need to be protected by internet censorship filters
• first home owners grants make houses more affordable
• Canberra is a nice place to live and work ☺

My personal take is that, yes a lot of politicians do get very excited at the thought that they can tax us more and use Global Warming as an excuse,

And yes – some scientists have a very vested interest in GW being real, but… I’ve never really been one for conspiracy theories.

And the mind boggling size of the conspiracy you would need to subvert the thousands of scientists who have contributed to the peer-reviewed science is just mind boggling. Forget the moon landing being a fake – this would be on a whole new level.

The other thing that has convinced me of the reality of global warming is a Pommie journalist called George Monbiot.

If, like me you don’t have the time or patience to read through the science and decide for your self if it is sound, you could do worse than to read Monbiot’s opinion. ( a quick Google will find these articles)

He has read the science, formed a very objective opinion. And he is scared witless about what the future holds.

He now makes it his mission to question the arguments against GW head on. He recently went into verbal combat with one of the world’s leading global warming sceptics, Australian, Ian Plimer on Lateline.

Have a look at the video and see what you think– If nothing else it is a fascinating showdown:

Ian Plimer and George Monbiot Battle on Lateline

Filed Under: Energy Efficiency, Global Warming, Solar Power

Garnaut says: It’s not to late

April 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Garnaut Climate Review has warned of the grave dangers of not reducing climate change stating that it will lead to dire consequences for humanity. However, the report also sheds some positive light on the issue, stating that it is still not too late to start doing something about it.

In Australia, there is a long-term goal to reduce all emissions by sixty percent between the year 2000 and 2050. In addition to this, they also hope to reduce emissions by up to fifteen percent by 2020.

Focusing on renewable energy sources is one of the things that Australia is doing to reduce these emissions. In addition, raising the taxes of major polluters is also on the agenda. Seeking green alternatives to fuel is essential as is optimizing energy efficiently in homes, businesses and public buildings with an emphasis on totally renewable and “free” sources such as solar energy and wind power.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Global Warming