Home: Renewable Energy News: Wednesday 25 March, 2009

Renewable Energy News

WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH, 2009 |

Ireland Launches Feed In Tariff

The concept of feed in tariffs to stimulate uptake of renewable energy is certainly catching on with increasing numbers of countries launching schemes.

Recently, Ireland announced a net feed in tariff scheme where owners of small scale wind, solar, hydro and combined heat and power systems will be paid AUD$ 0.36 per kilowatt on surplus electricity generated and exported to the Ireland's main grid up to 3,000kWh exported annually, then AUD$ 0.19 per kilowatt hour thereafter.

Even though a net feed in tariff is considered a poor cousin to a gross model, whereby all electricity generated is eligible for payment, and the rate is far below some other countries, the Irish scheme is expected to be popular given other government assistance available.

Ireland's net feed in tariff program is also limited to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next three years, but if the recent examples of programs in Spain, Florida and Ontario, Canada are anything to go by; those slots could be filled well before the program's official end as governments consistently underestimate demand.

Germany was the first country to introduce a feed in tariff for grid connect solar power back in 1991. After the program was enhanced in 2000 with higher premiums paid and a switch to a gross model, between 2000 and 2005 the quantity of electricity fed into the grid more than doubled; with a seven-fold increase in installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity . The current German program is considered "best practice" for the successful implementation of feed in tariff programs.

Australia currently has a fractured feed in tariff system, with each state implementing it's own program ranging from a proposed time limited credit in Victoria that's been heavily criticised, through to the ACT's gross solar feed in tariff which pays 50.5c per kilowatt hour, guaranteed for 20 years.

Special deals and discounts on solar power

NEW! - Energy Matters video news!
NEW! - Get Energy Matters News on your mobile!
NEW! - Energy Matters on Google+

Click here for news item reproduction guidelines

NEW! - Get the Energy Matters news feed widget for your site or blog!

Ohio Aims For 1,000 Solar Schools

There are approximately 5,000 to 6,000 school buildings in the US State of Ohio and under legislation to be introduced next week, 25% of schools will be required to install rooftop solar panels in order to reduce mains grid electricity consumption and stimulate the state's green energy industry. The state currently only has around 50 schools with grid connect solar power systems installed.

Under the plan, financiers would pay for and and install the solar panels while benefiting from a 35 percent federal tax credit. School districts would then use money saved on their electric bill to pay back the difference over 30 years.

The Ohio plan differs from many other solar school initiatives in place around the world. In Germany, investors rent space on school roofs and public buildings to install grid connect solar power arrays. Germany's generous gross feed in tariff program make such arrangements quite lucrative for both school and investor.

Probably one of the most generous initiatives in the world is the Australian Government's National Solar Schools Program (NSSP). The program allows a grant of up to $50,000 for just about every school in Australia to install a grid connect solar power system. In the case of dual campuses, funding of up to $100,000 may be granted. To date, over 3,800 schools throughout the nation have registered for the NSSP.

School buildings are excellent candidates for mini-solar farms given their extensive roof space. Schools not only benefit from reduced power costs by installing systems, but also demonstrate good environmental stewardship through decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and setting an excellent example to the wider community. Having a solar power system on campus also provides opportunities for a hands-on renewable energy educational experience for students.

NEW! - Energy Matters video news!
NEW! - Get Energy Matters News on your mobile!
NEW! - Energy Matters on Google+

Click here for news item reproduction guidelines

NEW! - Get the Energy Matters news feed widget for your site or blog!

News for Tuesday 24 March, 2009