Home: Renewable Energy News: Monday 31 August, 2009

Renewable Energy News

MONDAY 31 AUGUST, 2009 |

Victoria Extends Solar Hot Water Rebates

Victoria solar hot water rebates
The Victorian Government has announced an extra $10 million of funding for the Regional Solar Hot Water Rebate Scheme. Victorian rebates for complete solar hot water systems in regional areas range from $1900 to $2500, depending upon the size and performance of a system. This is in addition to the $1600 Federal rebate currently available.

For metropolitan Victorian residents, rebates range from $900 to $1,500 for installing solar hot water into an existing residential property; depending upon system size.

The Victorian Government also announced that victims of this year's bushfires will be able to apply for the rebate to install solar hot water systems in their new homes. Previously the State rebate only applied to existing homes.

Heating water represents the biggest single source of greenhouse gas emissions in an average Australian household (excluding car use). By installing a solar water system, households can reduce substantially reduce these emissions. In the case of an electric water heater versus a gas boosted solar hot water heater, carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced up to 80% and energy savings of up to 75% can be made.

Current Australian Federal and State solar hot water rebates combined along with solar hot water system specials on offer from many providers can greatly reduce the initial cost of a solar hot water system, in some cases making them comparable to the installation of an electric-only hot water service.

Solar Farm Opened On Queensland's Lady Elliot Island

Solar farm - Lady Elliot Island
On Saturday, Queensland Climate Change and Sustainability Minister Kate Jones officially opened a hybrid solar farm for an eco-resort on on Lady Elliot Island, located at the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef .

The solar farm consists of 20 kW of solar panels (96 x Kyocera 205 watt), 6000Ah 48V VRLA deep cycle batteries (48 x Sonnenschein A600/3500), an AC coupled inverter system (6 x SMA Sunny Island + 3 x SMA SMC 7000TL); plus a more efficient diesel power generator.  A timber viewing walkway has been constructed around the new power station to allow for educational purposes for visitors.

Since the power plant was brought online, the amount of diesel consumed for the operation of the resort has been reduced from 550 litres per day to 160 litres per day, representing a reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 70%.

The system allows for additional solar panels or wind turbines to be added in the future and the proprietors of the Lady Elliot Island eco-resort have a 5-year goal to run the resort entirely on solar power and other renewable energy resources; keeping the generators only for backup.

The solar farm was partially funded by the Australian Governments Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme. The RRPGP is no longer in operation, except for in Western Australia; however funding is being provided for off grid solar power systems and solar farms through the Solar Credits program.

The Australian Federal Government hasn't disregarded the possibility of the RRPGP being reintroduced in some form, but it's unlikely to occur any time soon as according to Penny Wong, Minister Climate Change and Water, the issue will first be referred to the Council Of Australian Governments for review.

Mars Rover Solar Panels Battle On

The Mars Rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, have certainly exceeded all expectations in terms of performance and are testimony to how much solar power technology has evolved.

The mission was originally meant to last only 3 months, but is now in its fifth year. Since landing on Mars, the rovers have sent over a quarter of a million images back to Earth and travelled over 21 kilometres.

When fully illuminated, the rovers solar panel arrays generate about 140 watts of power for up to four hours per sol (a Martian day). Each rover requires around 100 watts to drive. Its power system includes two rechargeable lithium ion batteries weighing just over 7kg each.

NASA expected capability of the solar arrays to generate power to be reduced to about 50 watts by the end of the original mission due to anticipated dust coverage on the solar arrays and seasonal changes; but 3 years into the mission, each rover's power supplies were between 300 and 900 watt hours per day. The lithium ion batteries were also expected to degrade far more than they have.

It hasn't all been smooth sailing. In July 2007, Martian dust storms were so intense, engineers feared that one or both of the rovers might be permanently disabled. However, the dust storms lifted and the panels were blown clean. These cleaning events have occurred more often than NASA predicted, keeping the arrays relatively free of dust and extending the life of the mission. The Mars rovers' power systems have also had to contend with temperatures ranging from −40C to +40C.

Currently, atmospheric conditions have again deteriorated due to a large dust storm, with Spirit's solar power production down to around 322 watt hours. It's causing a concern for engineers, but is still far more power than the 240 watt hours being generated earlier in the year.