Solar Petition Tabled By Greens In Australian Senate

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
 
CONTACT: 
Andrew Scarlett
Energy Matters
PH: 1300 727 151 
andrew.scarlett@energymatters.com.au
http://www.energymatters.com.au 
 
Melbourne, Victoria, June 24, 2009. Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, will today table a petition from over 17,000 Australians calling on the Parliament to implement a gross national feed-in tariff to give renewable energy technologies the support they deserve.
 
Independent MP for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, will also announce he will introduce Senator Milne's Private Member's Bill for a feed-in tariff into the House of Representatives.
 
"I'm thrilled to be tabling this petition today which shows the extraordinary level of public support for renewable energy and the best policy to bring it on." said Senator Milne.
   
"It is time the Commonwealth stepped in to introduce a real scheme that will pay a premium rate for all energy generated from all renewable sources and technologies."
  
"The Government is bending over backwards to provide certainty to coal, but seems determined to undermine any certainty for renewable energy."
  
The petition signatures were gathered at FeedInTariff.com.au, a community initiative provided by Australian renewable energy company, Energy Matters (http://www.energymatters.com.au). 
  
The petition was initiated in response to increasing calls from Energy Matters customers for a national gross feed in tariff scheme and the slow progress on the part of the Australian Federal Government in rolling out such a program. 
  
According to Energy Matters spokesperson Andrew Scarlett, "Climate change caused by carbon emissions is a serious threat. The government needs to reduce its reliance on destructive fossil fuels and encourage uptake of renewable energy. 
  
"We know gross feed-in tariffs boost renewable power and create lasting jobs. They are a tremendous opportunity, both environmentally and economically. Instead, we're committing public resources to antiquated coal technology that makes us the worst per capita polluters in the planet. Australians have a right to expect leadership from their government on this critical issue."
  
About Energy Matters:
 
Based in Victoria, Energy Matters has branches throughout the country and provides a range of wind and solar power equipment, plus installation services to businesses and home owners in suburban and rural areas. Energy Matters' web site also includes a wide range of education resources on renewable energy, plus a news section updated regularly with developments in the alternative energy industry. Energy Matters is also active in lobbying on challenges facing the Australian renewable energy industry that are preventing access to clean energy sources for many Australians.
  

NEWSFLASH - Off Grid Solar Covered Under Solar Credits Scheme

 

  
Earlier this week, the Australian Government announced the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) had been immediately closed to new applications except in Western Australia.
  
At that point in time, it was unknown if any new rebate scheme would be introduced or if off grid solar installations would also be covered by the new non-means tested Solar Credits scheme; applicable to grid connect solar power systems for homes and business.
 
According to updated information on the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program site : 
 
"Small scale installations by households, businesses and community groups completed on or after 9 June 2009 may receive support for the first 1.5 kilowatts of the system under the Solar Credits program once legislation for the Renewable Energy Target is passed later this year" Source
 
While only subsidising the first 1.5kW and to a maximum of $9,000, the news of stand alone solar installations being eligible under the Solar Credits scheme will be somewhat a relief to people in rural areas who had been considering investing in an off grid solar power system, but as of Monday were suddenly unable to afford to do so.
  
Legislation necessary for the issue of rebates under Solar Credits program has still not yet been passed, but is expected to some time in August after being stalled last week. 
  
Some solar power providers, including national firm Energy Matters, are offering the Solar Credits value as a point of sale discount, saving people on up front costs and the time and hassle of claiming back the Solar Credits  themselves.
 

The Solar Tent

 

Camping has definitely evolved over the years and roughing it is certainly not as rough as it used to be. Another camping challenge that may be overcome soon is the one related to power, courtesy of solar energy.
  
Space and weight is often limited when travelling to a camping spot and lugging a petrol powered generator and associated fuel can be a hassle, as well as environmentally damaging through associated noise and emissions. Traditional solar panels are an option, but can be too bulky to fit in the car or strap to a backpack. Folding solar panel kits help address space issues, but what if the solar panel was actually incorporated in the tent itself?
  
Enter the Orange Solar Concept Tent.
  
Designed building on lessons learned from the original Orange Solar Tent that was trialled at the Glastonbury Music Festival in 2003, the tent not only provides its own power, but is heated and acts as a communications station.
  
Using specially coated solar threads into conventional fabric (aka photovoltaic fabric), which has already been demonstrated to be possible, solar energy can be captured by the tent's structure. The Solar Concept Tent takes this a step further with three directional glides which can be moved throughout the day to maximise its solar efficiency and also acts as a shade for the main tent structure.
  
The tent features a central wireless control hub that displays electricity produced and used, while also acting as a wireless Internet access point. Also integrated into the the hub is a wireless charging hub for portable electronic devices; utilising 'magnetic induction' technology. This passes an electric current through a coil embedded in the charging pouch that generates a magnetic field which creates a charge and powers the battery.
  
Also controlled by the central hub is an internal heating element embedded within the tent’s groundsheet.
  
As mentioned, the Orange solar tent is just a concept, so it's not available at your local camping store. However, by publicising the concept, perhaps a manufacturer will make it a reality sooner rather than later and before too long camp sites will be dotted with happy campers benefiting from clean power from the sun.
 
Source

News for Tuesday 23 June, 2009

 

• NEWSFLASH - New South Wales Announces Solar Feed In Tariff
  


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• NSW Opposition Reaffirms Solar Feed In Tariff Commitment
  

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