South Australia Solar Power Info Session Draws Capacity Crowd

 

In South Australia's Mid-North region; people are increasingly considering switching their homes and farms to solar power. 
 
Residents from throughout the Mid North gathered at Blyth Cinema last Tuesday night to gain further information on the topic and to ask questions about solar energy systems.
 
The Blyth Cinema was filled to capacity for the information session hosted by the Blyth Development Board. Speaking at the meeting were Troy Harris and Colin Lord of national solar power company Energy Matters. Energy Matters has had a presence in the Blyth and Clare area for many years, having performed many local installations.
 
Attendees learned of the advantages of installing grid connect and off grid solar power systems, the components involved and how the systems are installed, plus financial incentives through feed in tariffs, government rebates and discounts available to solar buyers groups through Energy Matters. The team from Energy Matters also answered many questions from people during the two hour session.
 
As a result of the meeting, a Solar Panel Working Party was established to co-ordinate a Mid North solar buyers group. Dozens of households have expressed an interest in acquiring a solar power system through the discounts that will be available through the power of bulk purchasing. 
 
Home owners, businesses and farmers in South Australia's Mid North region interested in being added to the buyers group list should contact group co-ordinator Ian Roberts on  8844 5175 for further details.

Victoria Feed In Tariff Rally Held

 

Businesses, community groups and politicians gathered outside Victoria’s Parliament House yesterday to voice their dissatisfaction at draft solar feed-in tariff laws they say will do nothing for jobs or the environment. 
  
A feed in tariff is a premium rate paid to consumers for electricity generated by their solar power systems. In Germany, feed-in tariffs have created a booming solar industry.
  
However, under the Electricity Industry Amendment (Premium Solar Feed-in Tariff) Bill 2009, Victoria's feed in tariff will have little in common with the successful German program, or even other feed in tariff programs in Australia.  
 
   


Grid connect solar power system owners in Victoria will only receive 60c per kWh for surplus electricity generated, but this will be applied as a credit time-limited to 12 months; unlike other states where cash payments are made.
 
The rally, attended by several hundred people, called on opposition and independent MPs to move amendments to the draft in the legislative council. According to the rally’s organiser, Environment Victoria, the draft legislation fails to achieve its objectives due to a myriad of flaws.
 
Critics say the proposed tariff, which provides limited incentive to invest in solar, demonstrate the government’s dependence on heavily polluting coal power and failure to grasp the challenges of climate change.
 
Victoria’s Labor government postponed debate on the contentious laws yesterday, continuing uncertainty for consumers eager to make the switch to renewable energy systems and the Victorian solar power industry.
 

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