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MONDAY 23 JULY, 2012 |

Victoria Could Run On The Power Of The Sun

by Energy Matters

Victoria's Wind And Solar Power Potential

A new report from the Climate Commission says Victoria receives enough energy from the sun to produce double the state's current electricity needs.

"The Critical Decade - Victorian Climate Impacts And Opportunities" also states parts of Victoria have some of the best conditions in the world to harness wind energy.

Renewable energy only currently accounts for about 5.5% of Victoria’s electricity consumption.

It's estimated that Victoria receives at least 2,500 petajoules (PJ) of useable solar energy annually. The estimate takes into account land availability, with approximately 8% of the state considered 'available' or as non-urban land with suitable solar exposure and not under other use. An additional 11 PJ per year of useable solar energy is available in urban locations.

Solar panels remain a bit player in Victoria's existing renewable energy mix, representing only 8% of renewable energy generation. According to figures in the report supplied by Sustainability Victoria; the state currently has 270MW installed solar capacity; mostly comprised of rooftop systems.

Even given the substantial solar resources Victoria enjoys, the state government appears to have problems recognising the potential.

A key driver of uptake of solar power in Victoria - feed in tariffs - may be soon be reduced for new applications after a review of the state's solar feed in tariff arrangements is submitted this Friday.

At this point in time, it's not clear if a reduction in incentives is to occur whether Victorian households will be given a final chance to go solar under the more generous current arrangement before any changes are made.

It appears the state may also be rapidly approaching its Transitional Feed-in Tariff cap of 70MW. Once reached, this could also be another trigger for closing the scheme to new applicants; once again, potentially with little or no notice.

In regard to wind energy, the Climate Commission report says while Denmark and Victoria have similar average onshore wind speeds; in 2010 Denmark had
about seven times the installed onshore wind capacity of Victoria.

The report focuses on how Victoria can find solutions to minimise the risks associated with climate change while providing extra benefits for the state's health, community, economy and environment. "The Critical Decade - Victorian Climate Impacts And Opportunities" can be viewed in full here (PDF).

The Climate Commission, led by Professor Tim Flannery, was established to provide Australians with an independent and reliable source of information about the science of climate change, international action being taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the economics of a carbon price.