Presented by Energy Matters team member Virginia, we take a look at some of the stories from Australia and around the world recently added to our renewable energy news section.
This week, Virginia reports on the Victorian Government’s slashing of the state’s solar feed in tariff, Energy Matters a major sponsor of Sustainable House Day and Australia’s energy consumption increases 3 percent.
In this episode:
– The Victorian Government has announced a major reduction in the state’s solar feed in tariff. Households must have all paperwork lodged with their electricity retailer by 30 September in order to be considered for the current 25 cent rate. Paperwork usually cannot be lodged until the solar power system is physically installed. The new rate offered will be just 8 cents per kilowatt hour fed into the grid for systems smaller than a 100 kilowatts. This rate will be adjusted annually in line with the wholesale electricity rate. Read more.
– Environment Victoria has stated the Baillieu Government has broken a key election promise to provide a fair reward for solar households. After reneging on support for the Mallee solar farm, this latest action have the environmental group asking what the state government has against clean energy. Industry peak body, the Clean Energy Council has stated the new solar feed in tariff rate is too low. The Council’s Policy Director Russell Marsh said this action will make it even more difficult for Victorians to reduce their power bills and it will put solar jobs under pressure. Read more.
– Homes around Australia will open their doors to showcase the latest in renewable energy, recycling and other eco friendly technologies this weekend during Sustainable House Day. This year, Energy Matters is proud to be a national sponsor of the event and some of its staff will be available for consultation at selected houses. The event will be held on Sunday September 9 from 10 am until 4pm. Read more.
– A recent report from Australia’s Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics shows Australia’s total energy consumption has increased by 3 per cent since the period of 2009/2010. Renewable energy showed the strongest annual consumption growth in 2010/2011 at 30 percent. Total electricity generation in Australia stayed static at around 250,000 gigawatt hours, with a drop in coal-fired generation offset by increased generation from natural gas and renewables. Read more.
