Energy Matters Launches 'SolarGate' Initiative.

 

Melbourne, Victoria, 30 July 2009. The Australian solar industry and households wanting to install solar power systems have been left hanging in recent weeks in relation to government rebates, resulting in many providers having excess stock of solar panels.
  
While the political powers-that-be duke out ETS legislation that incorporates the new Solar Credits program, national provider of solar power solutions Energy Matters has decided to clear some of their surplus stock by extending an offer to senior politicians -an initiative they call "SolarGate".
  
Through "SolarGate", the company will be offering senior politicians including Minister for Climate Change and Water Penny Wong, Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts Peter Garret, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Senators Xenophon, Fielding and Swann, Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, Minister for Resources and Energy Martin Ferguson and Victorian Premier John Brumby a grid connected solar power system for their homes; free of charge.
  
Unlike the Utegate affair, the "SolarGate" systems on offer will not be a keeper, but on loan from the company to help ensure all recipients can maintain their political integrity and avoid negative media attention.
  
"We're hoping by installing these systems it will not only help reduce the carbon footprint of the recipients, but also keep solar power and renewable energy close to mind for these politicians and provide some balance in relation to the heavy lobbying of the fossil fuel industry.", states Max Sylvester, Energy Matters' co-founder. 
  
"Each time they look at their solar array, they'll be reminded of solar power's potential and the fact each passing day without the appropriate support for Australian solar energy means extra unnecessary carbon emissions being generated by filthy coal power."
   
The sudden cessation of major rebates for grid connect and off grid solar power last month and the stalling of Solar Credits program funding being made available has thrown the industry in disarray, with some smaller providers having to lay off staff. 
  
Since June, Energy Matters has fielded enquiries from thousands of Australians waiting on the Solar Credits program to be written into law so they can install a system.
  
"The solar sector in Australia is still reasonably young and doesn't have the deep pockets of Big Coal for lobbying, pockets that have been lined in part by the sweat and toil of Australia's taxpayers through years of subsidies. The Solar Credits program will provide much needed revenue to create thousands of green jobs and further the cause of renewable energy in sun-soaked Australia - but we're currently in the dark thanks to political power plays from all corners.", says Mr. Sylvester. 
  
"This is not a game, this is about Australia's energy future, about our planet's future and the industry calls on all those in power to cease the bickering, stop nibbling at the edges and get down to the very serious business of ensuring a clean, renewable energy powered Australia. The technology is there, the industry is here to provide it, the voting public fully supports it; all we're waiting on now is the political will to make it happen."
  
About Energy Matters:
  
Based in Victoria, Energy Matters has branches throughout the country and offers a range of wind and solar power equipment, plus installation services to businesses and households in suburban and rural areas. Energy Matters' web site at www.energymatters.com.au provides a wide range of educational resources on renewable energy, including 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, recently spearheading a petition campaign on solar feed in tariffs via www.feedintariff.com.au that attracted over 18,000 signatures and was tabled in Australia's Parliament.
   
CONTACT: 
Max Sylvester
Energy Matters
PH: 1300 727 151 
max.sylvester@energymatters.com.au
http://www.energymatters.com.au
  

India's 200,000 Megawatt Solar Power Goal

 

India has an incredible solar power resources, with the country receiving around 5,000 trillion kilowatt hours of energy and most areas receiving 4 - 7 kilowatt hours per square meter per day. The Government of India intends to make good use of this potential.

In May, we reported on some initial details of the country's National Solar Mission and further information has become available after a leaking of the final draft of plan.
   
According to the document, the objective of India's National Solar Mission to to establish the country as a global leader in solar energy through:
  
- 20,000 MW of installed solar generation capacity by 2020, 100,000 MW by 2030 and 200,000 MW by 2050.
  
- Solar power cost reduction to achieve grid tariff parity by 2020
  
- 4-5 GW of installed solar panel manufacturing by 2017
  
- Achieve parity with coal fired power generation by 2030
   
Phase one of the plan to occur between this year and 2012 will be a rapid scaling up of solar technology to drive down costs and spur a thriving domestic solar panel manufacturing base. There will be increased promotion and assistance in the development of commercial scale solar farms, predominantly solar PV. Also mandated will be mass deployment of solar panel arrays in government and public buildings.
   
Under the plan, solar generation capacity will reach at least 5% of totaled installed capacity of all thermal plants based on coal, gas and oil by the end of 2012.
   
Also included in the first phase will be the introduction of solar feed in tariffs, solar micro-grid installations for remote villages, the establishment of 2-3 large scale solar thermal plants and the rollout of solar  lighting for 3 million households.
   
While India's goals may seem lofty, the issue of electricity generation in the country is becoming critical, with many areas experiencing frequent blackouts. With the challenges of climate change, a burgeoning population, increased fossil fuel prices and rivers powering hydro-electric generation drying up facing the country; turning to one of its most plentiful resources, the sun, makes good environmental and economic sense.
  
Greenpeace has obtained a full copy of the draft, which can be viewed here (PDF)
 

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