Solar Power On Bob Katter's Wish List

 

While Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's hopes of staying in power are closer to becoming a reality, the show isn't over yet. Bob Katter has submitted his wish list to Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott and among the items are references to solar power and clean energy generally.
 
After meetings with Julia Gillard and Liberal leader Tony Abbott, Independent Andrew Wilkie said on Wednesday he will to back Labour; putting the spotlight on Bob Katter and Tony Windsor.
  
According to article on the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age web sites, policy priorities sent to the Prime Minister and leader of the Opposition contain 20 point that Mr Katter says are "not conditions, but does provide a guideline to priorities".
 
Among the wish list items is the creation of a National Energy Grid for development of clean energy resources. Mr Katter would like to see a northern Australia clean energy corridor to help energise the national power grid and mentions two projects specifically - the Kennedy wind farm and the Pentland solar bio-fuels plant. 
 
Another point is provision of Government funded solar hot water systems and/or other measures to to assist Australia's older generation in meeting living expenses.
 
Mr. Katter also remains adamant that there should be "No carbon tax. No emissions trading scheme." Mr. Katter believes the only winners from carbon trading are the investment banks.
 
Bob Katter is the representative of the federal seat of Kennedy, North Queensland - the third-largest electorate in Australia.
  

Historic White House Solar Panel On Road Trip

 

A group of solar energy activists from Unity College in the US plan to take their campaign for a renewable future on the road - with an unusual travelling companion: one of the original 41 solar panels President Jimmy Carter installed on the White House roof in 1979.
  
The "Put Solar On It" road trip is the brainchild of Bill McKibbon, founder of climate change awareness website 350.org, and is part of that group’s challenge to President Barack Obama to put solar back on the White House. 
 
In 1986 President Ronald Reagan had Carter’s solar energy system – which was used for heating water – dismantled and also removed government incentives for renewable energy projects. The 350.org group say they are taking part of that good idea home.
 
"We wasted 31 years when we could, across America, have been using the sun’s heat," said McKibben. "We wasted our technological lead in the most important industry of the future, and handed it instead to countries like China. Now’s the moment to start catching up."
 
McKibbon says he wants President Obama to install a new set of solar panels on October 10 as part of 350.org’s 10/10/10 Global Work Party, a day when they claim millions of people across the planet will be getting to work on climate solutions. Over 30,000 people have petitioned the US government on the PutSolarOn.It website. 
 
"Solar panels on the White House will remind every visitor to Washington that every roof in America should have solar panels for electricity and hot water on them," said McKibben. "The President’s panels will do as much good as the wonderful organic garden that the First Lady planted on the South Lawn," McKibbon said.
 

Mosman Council Trials Solar Powered Compactor Bin

 

Already used extensively in the USA, a BigBelly solar powered compactor rubbish bin is now being trialed by Sydney's Mosman Council
 
As mentioned in a previous story on BigBelly, the solar powered bin automatically compacts rubbish at the point of disposal, decreasing the amount of space taken up by rubbish by around 80%.
  
The bin has been installed at Balmoral and Mosman Council hopes the trial will demonstrate a reduction of of litter overflow and waste ending up in local waterways, particularly over the warmer months. Council says the increased capacity reduces the number of times the bin needs to be emptied and as a result can cut related fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%.
 
BigBelly bins include a polycrystalline solar panel protected by a layer of polycarbonate. The compactor exerts a force of  570 kg and the bin's DC motor is powered by a 12 volt deep cycle battery maintained by a solar regulator that controls the charging level. Battery storage allows the bin to compact rubbish even under overcast conditions and at night.
 
BigBelly bins are becoming increasingly prevalent in cities around the USA. The City of Philadelphia in the USA saved nearly USD$900,000 in the first year of using the bins and projects savings of USD$13 million over ten years.
   
Kitsap County in Washington has 80 bins installed and according to the County's Special Projects Director, savings of around US$48,000 a year in fuel and maintenance costs will be realised and USD$61,000 in labor that can be diverted to other tasks.
 

News for Wednesday 01 September, 2010

 

• South Australia To Boost Solar Feed In Tariff Rate
  


• Energy Matters A Port Phillip Business Excellence Awards Finalist
  


• Victoria To Create Office Of Solar Energy
  

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