Home: Renewable Energy News: Energy Matters Video News - Episode 52 - December 14, 2011

Renewable Energy News

WEDNESDAY 14 DECEMBER, 2011 |

Energy Matters Video News - Episode 52 - December 14, 2011

by Energy Matters

Presented by Energy Matters team member Virginia, we take a look at some of the stories from Australia and around the world recently added to our renewable energy news section.

In this episode, Virginia covers the release of the Australian Government's Draft Energy White Paper, the cost of solar power often overestimated, major electricity price increases loom for Australian households and how a solar panel system can knock four years off a mortgage.

In this episode:

- The federal Government’s draft Energy White Paper was released this week, setting out a series of proposed priorities to address the challenges faced by Australia’s energy sector. According to Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, Australia will require massive investment in gas and electricity – around $240 billion. The Department will now commence a period of consultation on this draft and written submissions are invited until March 16, 2012. Read more.

- According to Canadian Professor Joshua Pearce, many analysts whose reports state that solar PV is expensive may be basing their calculations on old data. Dr Pearce says there has been a 70 percent reduction in the price of solar panels in the last few years and believes that given cost reductions, solar PV is close to grid parity with traditional sources of energy. Read more.

- A report from the Australian Energy Market Commission estimates national residential electricity prices are projected to jump by 37 per cent on average by 2014. Less than 5% of the national average price hike is likely to come from small scale solar power. Read more.

- The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia has suggested that one way to cut a mortgage by four years is to go solar. The Association’s Professor Ray Wills based his calculations on a 25 year $100,000 mortgage with a 1.5kw solar power system. Read more.