Solar energy

A study from the Melbourne Energy Institute suggests that the benefits of solar energy on the National Electricity Market could outweigh the costs of feed-in-tariffs, and could deliver energy cost savings for all customers, rather than an impost as is commonly believed.

The conclusion comes from a draft of the latest update of its study – which also includes researchers from the ANU’s Solar Thermal Group, Beyond Zero Emissions, and Clean Technology Partners – into the merit order effect, which relates to the impact that energy sources with small or zero marginal costs (such as wind and solar) can have on the overall grid by lowering prices.

The merit order effect is considered crucial in the debate around clean energy deployment because it suggests that the cost of incentives – such as renewable energy certificates or feed in tariffs – can be offset by the benefits this energy has on wholesale prices in the NEM. Once a wind farm or a solar farm is constructed with an upfront subsidy, its low marginal cost means that it can bid beneath coal and gas generators into the energy stack. This reduces margins for the coal and gas generators, but it also delivers considerable savings on wholesale prices, particularly solar, as it delivers into the grid at times of higher demand.

Matthew Wright

In the Icy German Winter, during the 12 days of Christmas, Germany installed more than 3 gigawatts of solar PV.

In comparison, for the past two and half years. our Federal Labor Government has been announcing, and re-announcing, its Solar Flagships program. And, as you might have guessed, despite the fanfare, nothing has been paid for or built. (Update, see our story on CS Energy quitting Solar Dawn consortium).

In May 2009, when Energy and Resources Minister Martin Ferguson announced the Solar Flagship program, he claimed the $1.37Bn on offer to build an additional 1,000 MW of solar generation capacity, "was funding on an unprecedented scale for the development of solar power in Australia."

A Sydney-based solar energy company wants to turn Gunnedah into an iconic global solar hub.

Beyond Zero Emissions, a small non-government organisation, is proposing to transform Gunnedah into a “field of mirrors” as part of its plan to provide a road map leading to 100 per cent renewable energy within 10 years.

Beyond Zero Emissions’ (BZE) Andrew Longmire was recently in Gunnedah to discuss the potential of a project presentation to council, with council’s Manager Economic Development and Tourism, Chris Frend.

Mr Longmire is one of only 14 full-time employees of BZE, which boasts 300 volunteers in its quest to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy within the next decade.

He said BZE’s prospectus had already met with overwhelming approval with the council of Port Augusta, and he was confident Gunnedah Shire Councillors would be similarly impressed.

By Mark Ogge

SOUTH Australia has a new Premier. Now it's a good time to talk about a different type of power - the power that turns your lights on.

The Playford B coal power plant in Port Augusta has been operating since the early 1960s. Having been a key part of the state's electricity system for decades, its retirement is imminent.

Playford B's owner Alinta is seeking federal funding to shut it down, finally putting an end to a major source of climate-changing carbon emissions and the pollution that afflicts the local community.

By Matthew Wright

Every week Suntech, the world’s biggest photovoltaic manufacturer, is pumping out hundreds of thousands of solar panels to power households and businesses across the globe. Dozens of other companies in China, Germany, Korea and elsewhere are doing the same.

The solar photovoltaic manufacturing industry is a prime example of renewable energy’s growing success story. In 2010, the world’s solar PV factories could produce in excess of 38 gigawatts of panels in just one year. By the end of 2011, that production capacity will have expanded to 50GW of solar panels (24GW will be installed).

Sophie McCallum of The Transcontinental reports, November 16:

Alinta Energy is seriously exploring the idea of converting its Port Augusta power stations into solar thermal facilities.

Solar thermal was first proposed by renewable energy advocates, Beyond Zero Emissions and has already gained strong support by Port Augusta locals and leaders.

The idea has now been embraced by Alinta Energy, who is exploring replacement options if Playford is closed as part of the federal government’s buyout of dirty power stations, in which the company put up its hand to participate in.

So far, gas has dominated discussions as an alternative power source, but in an interview with The Transcontinental, Alinta Energy chief executive officer Jeff Dimery, said solar thermal had been identified as the most practical solution.

By Matthew Wright

CLIMATE SPECTATOR reports: Showering in solar hot water, it feels good outside and in. But what if your decision to shower in solar was, in part, misguided and is propping up the gas industry?

Well that's the case with most of Australia's existing solar hot water, backed by perverse government subsidies which favour domestic solar boosted by fossil gas.

Now, if you've reading this and you've got a gas-boosted solar hot water heater already, don't get me wrong, you did the right thing at the right time.

But times have changed and the now climate solution is renewables boosting renewables. Edson, an Australian hot water services manufacturer, has released their Heat Pump boosted solar hot water heater – or, as they put it, their Solar boosted heat pump.

Edson are combining the two most abundant renewable resources available to Australians: renewable ambient heat, which is the biggest source of domestic renewable resource, combined with direct solar through a set of evacuated tube collectors, which is our second biggest renewable resource.