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How rooftop solar PV suddenly became a hot political issue
Solar PV is not just on Australia’s rooftops, it is also on the political agenda. A new solar electorate map shows where the most rooftop solar has been installed (Gillard’s seat of Lalor is the second biggest in the country), and how it could be a major swing factor in marginal seats.3 -
Solar industry up in arms over 10-year payback limit
In the decade between 2010 and 2020, Australian homeowners are expected to invest more than $20 billion in rooftop solar installations. Some private forecasts suggest it could be as much as double that. But should these homeowners be limited to a rate of return that is substantially less than that of big utilities investing in fossil fuels or new transmission lines? -
How King Island may be a blueprint for our future grid
Hydro Tasmania has selected the supplier for the largest battery system ever to be installed in Australia. The King Island renewable plan could be a blue-print for how other remote grids, and ultimately the National Electricity Market, move to 100 per cent renewable energy. -
Ceramic Fuel Cells packs its bags and moves to Europe
Another Australian clean-tech invention is packing its bags and moving offshore. Ceramic Fuel Cells has cut Australian staff numbers, ended local production, severed commercial agreements and focused its efforts on Europe. Like solar PV and solar thermal technologies before it, Ceramic laments the lack of government support and takes a parting swipe at local utilities. -
Solar Insights: How low will China solar PV panels go?
Australia’s only solar panel manufacturer wants anti-dumping rules enforced against Chinese solar manufacturers. Plus: The Californian regulator takes the long-term view on solar storage; California’s solar milestone; and building-integrated solar market set to boom. -
The tricky question of rooftop solar PV incentives
The Climate Change Authority has sought to place some sort of cap on the cost of incentives for rooftop solar PV, just in case their is another boom. There almost certainly will be, but there will be debate over its suggestions for discounting the number of certificates, and placing a 10-year payback limit for households. -
CCA recommends renewable energy target not be changed
Climate Change Authority says renewable energy target should not be changed because the benefits of doing so would be outweighed by costs. It says LRET should stay as fixed target, and small scale scheme remain as separate and uncapped scheme. A big win for wind farm developers and for rooftop solar.
