ATRAA 2009 - Australia's Largest Solar Industry Event

 

ATRAA, the Appropriate Technology Retailers Association of Australia, is an annual event that has been running for over three decades and is the largest solar industry event in Australia.
 
ATRAA 2009 will be held in Canberra at the National Convention Centre over four days – Wednesday 29 July to Saturday 1 August. The first 3 days will provide stakeholders in renewable energy products and services the opportunity to network, address key issues and discuss Australia's clean energy future. A focus will also be on showcasing best practice within the industry and discussing latest developments in standards and compliance. 
 
The Clean Energy Council will present the ATRAA 2009 Industry Awards during the course of the formal dinner on Friday 31 July.
 
A public open day will be on August 1, where people interested in solar power will be able to see a range of the latest renewable energy products and services.
 
Apollo Energy, a subsidiary of Energy Matters, will be attending this years ATRAA and will be available to answer questions from businesses, home owners and community groups regarding the application of solar power for their particular situation. 
   
The Apollo Energy team will also have all the latest information and forms relating to financial incentives for solar power, such as the Solar Credits program and Renewable Energy Certificates system. Interested attendees will be able to arrange for a site inspection for an obligation-free quote.
   
People visiting the Apollo Energy booth will also be able to take advantage of very special ATRAA 2009-only promotions to help make it even more affordable to make the switch to solar power or to solar hot water.
 
Further details regarding ATRAA 2009 can be viewed here.
 

Renewable Energy Bonds Could Finance Climate Change Battle

 

Throughout many conflicts in recent history, war bonds have been used by governments to help finance military operations. Ordinary citizens could purchase the war bonds, cashing them in at a later date for a higher value. War bonds not only provided governments with the means to wage battle and investors interest on their money, it also helped citizens feel involved and more connected to war efforts.
 
The war bond concept is receiving increased support in another battle - the one against climate change. This time, the money wouldn't be used to finance rockets and artillery to wipe out our fellow man and wreak general havoc on the planet, but to go towards solar panels, wind turbines and other forms of clean energy.
 
Paul Gipe of Wind Works floated the idea early this year in a letter to a US Senator, briefly outlining how Renewable Energy Bonds could work. More recently, the Wales-based Public Interest Research Centre, has voiced support for implementing a renewable energy bonds scheme in the UK. 

Citizens could purchase the bonds over the internet or at post offices and monies raised would be dedicated to investment in clean energy projects. Fixed returns would be backed by the government and paid at regular intervals, or after fund matured. The increase in money paid back would be linked to the likely increase in electricity prices; a rise that's inevitable regardless of whether fossil fuels continue to be used.
 
Renewable energy has certainly captured the public's imagination in recent years; but it needs more support to see it become mainstream. Naysayers will often raise the issue of the high subsidies needed to achieve this goal, forgetting that fossil fuels such as coal are heavily subsidised by the taxpayer. However, through the implementation of such strategies as solar feed in tariffs, which are effectively a stimulus package without the public debt, and  renewable energy bonds, many more of us will have the opportunity to have a more direct role in a clean energy future for our countries.
 

News for Wednesday 08 July, 2009

 

• Australia's National Partnership Agreement On Energy Efficiency
  


• Solar Power And Heating Hybrid Systems
  

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