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Saving the Environment Solar panel solution
Townsville Sun

AUSTRALIA has the potential to reduce its housing sector greenhouse gas emissions to zero if it replicates Germany's solar photovoltaic revolution according to a lobby group.

The European country installed 960mW of solar photovoltaic power in 2006, and will be increasing this to over 2800mW by 2010. At the current growth rate of solar electric installations in Germany, in 2010 they'll be installing the equivalent of over one million units on house rooftops per year.

Beyond Zero Emissions is calling for a similar nation-wide roll out of solar photovoltaic technology in Australia. By matching the annual international growth rate of photovoltaic installation, in 2020 every residential home in Australia should be powered by zero emission solar photovoltaic cells.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Australia to significantly reduce its national greenhouse gas emissions," Matthew Wright, spokesman for Beyond Zero Emissions said.

"With the current water crisis, solar power will very quickly achieve price parity with coal-generated electricity. Australia can create a vibrant local photovoltaic industry, using local workers and materials. The technology is there, we merely need the political will," he added.

The German photovoltaic industry is worth US$5 billion and employs over 8000 people according to Mr Wright.

He said it continues to grow at over 30 per cent per annum due to a visionary feed-in tariff scheme.

"Any excess solar electricity generated is fed back into the grid for which the owner of the solar system is paid at premium prices. This encourages new installations and reduces the payback time on new solar systems to less than five years.

"This is all in a country that has significantly less sunlight intensity than Australia," he added.