Home: Renewable Energy News: Thursday 13 August, 2009

Renewable Energy News

THURSDAY 13 AUGUST, 2009 |

NEWSFLASH: Australia's Solar Industry Screwed... Again

Solar credits legislation
Melbourne, Victoria, 13 August 2009. Solar power supporters and the Australian solar industry have been once again left in the dark after today's voting down of ETS legislation. The controversial legislation was coupled with revised Renewable Energy Target legislation, of which the Solar Credits program was a part. Without the legislation passing, funding for the program will not be issued.

However, some providers are fighting back; refusing to penalise their customers and potential customers who are suffering at the hands of what has predominantly become inter-party power plays.

National solar power solutions provider, Energy Matters, is making the best of the situation and offering a series of specials, with a maximum price guarantee and a priority install service.

According to co-founder Max Sylvester, "What this means is that people can sign up for a system now at our special prices and if they don't wish to pay the full cost up front in order to get immediate installation, when the legislation is finally passed, they'll beat the rush and have priority installation status. If the system should rise in price between now and then; they'll not pay a cent more. However, if prices should drop, the customer will be offered the further saving."

While the finger pointing for the catastrophic failure to resolve one of Australia's most important legislative decisions in its history will go on for days, all parties have failed the environment and the solar industry by not being able to hash out a deal.

The pitiful situation seems to have had as much to do with political posturing as it did about climate change. Each day the squabbling goes on, Australia's carbon emissions continue to rise; while politicians battle it out for media points.

The continued delay of the Solar Credits program will not only see many households wanting to help reduce their carbon footprint by installing a home solar power system disadvantaged, but jobs will be lost in the industry as a result; particularly among smaller players or those who beefed up staffing levels expecting the promised smooth transition to the new rebates scheme that never eventuated.

The situation with the Solar Credits program isn't the first time the industry has been hammered in recent months. The Solar Home and Communities Plan rebate was prematurely axed with less than 24 hours notice and the RRPGP rebate for off grid solar power also met the same fate; with no notice whatsoever.

Earlier this week, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warned that climate change is the greatest challenge facing the world and that the international community has under 10 years to halt the rise of greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid catastrophic consequences for people and the planet.

According to Mr. Sylvester, "The writing has been on the wall regarding climate change for many years. Home solar power plays an important role in the battle against rising greenhouse gas emissions. The time for political point scoring is over. Australia's solar industry and the nation demands resolution. Now."

CONTACT:
Max Sylvester
Energy Matters
PH: 1300 727 151
media@energymatters.com.au
http://www.energymatters.com.au

Suntech To Lead Solar Panel Production

Suntech solar panels
According to iSuppli's PV Cell and Module Production Tracker report, Suntech will topple Q-Cells to become the world's leading producer of crystalline cells for solar panels in 2009.

iSuppli also predicts Sharp, Yingli and JA Solar will retain their top 5 slots positions during 2009 by not reducing their solar-cell production.

While production may be increased by the big players, another challenge for the industry is emerging - a solar panel glut. While this could be good news for consumers in terms of cheaper prices, some of the smaller solar panel makers may be forced out of the market.

iSuppli says that solar panel production in 2009 will grow by 14.3 percent to 7.5 Gigawatts (GW), an increase of 1GW in 2008. However, only 3.9 GW in installations will take place this year, meaning nearly half of all solar panels produced in 2009 will remain in inventory.

The report states solar panels are set to remain in a state of oversupply until 2012, but from that point onwards, rapidly growing demand for PV-based installations will be able to absorb global panel production and inventory.

iSuppli's outlook is quite different to another report recently released. Navigant Consulting's analysis of worldwide PV markets and five-year application forecast says solar panel inventory levels may ease towards the end of 2009 and the market see the beginning of recovery.