Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre
We hope to see you there.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Home Living Expo 20 April - 22 April 2012
Adelaide Event & Exhibition Centre
We hope to see you there.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Can solar panels double up as roofs?
Researchers in Australia are developing a solar roof system that uses wasted energy to warm air and water.
What distinguishes the project from other systems, the researchers say, is that the solar cells are integrated into the structural makeup of a building. So instead of being attached to a roof, the system actually becomes the roof, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The system evolved from a "low carbon living" project to investigate future energy efficiency initiatives while evaluating the effectiveness of current methods of generating solar power, said the researchers from the University of New South Wales.
"Australia has this perception that we are blessed with limitless energy but by the time we have filtered it through the system and into buildings in the form of electricity, there is enormous waste. So we are gathering the data to make informed decisions about that,'' associate professor Alistair Sproul told the Herald.
If solar panels are extra-durable, the researchers say, they can serve as roofing material.
While solar cells on top of panels typically generate a significant amount of waste heat as a by-product, the researchers devised a way to harness it instead with an insulated space behind the panel, heating the air to 25 degrees Celsius.
''We want to take the building performance to the next level,'' said research leader Professor Deo Prasad.
'In the past we have had separate experts working on solar panels, on energy efficiency, water efficiency but what we are looking at now is total integration from the start.''
The researchers are investigating the possibility of manufacturing the system in Australia and said a number of firms are monitoring their research with that in mind.
''A lot of lower-tech forms of photovoltaics seem to be finding their way into countries where there are cheaper labor costs, so we want to concentrate on developing these high-tech, high-end forms,'' Prasad said.
Australia relies on coal to generate 80 percent of its electricity.
Last year, roof-mounted solar panels in Australia for the first time competed favorably against peak-priced electricity from coal-fired power stations, Asian Scientist magazine reports. Solar photovoltaic panels cost around $1.07, compared to $3.75 per watt a few years ago.
Separately, the future of southwest Queensland's proposed Solar Dawn $1.2 billion solar thermal plant appeared uncertain after it failed to meet a Dec. 15 deadline to compete financing but last week the government granted a six-month extension to its contract.
What distinguishes the project from other systems, the researchers say, is that the solar cells are integrated into the structural makeup of a building. So instead of being attached to a roof, the system actually becomes the roof, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
The system evolved from a "low carbon living" project to investigate future energy efficiency initiatives while evaluating the effectiveness of current methods of generating solar power, said the researchers from the University of New South Wales.
"Australia has this perception that we are blessed with limitless energy but by the time we have filtered it through the system and into buildings in the form of electricity, there is enormous waste. So we are gathering the data to make informed decisions about that,'' associate professor Alistair Sproul told the Herald.
If solar panels are extra-durable, the researchers say, they can serve as roofing material.
While solar cells on top of panels typically generate a significant amount of waste heat as a by-product, the researchers devised a way to harness it instead with an insulated space behind the panel, heating the air to 25 degrees Celsius.
''We want to take the building performance to the next level,'' said research leader Professor Deo Prasad.
'In the past we have had separate experts working on solar panels, on energy efficiency, water efficiency but what we are looking at now is total integration from the start.''
The researchers are investigating the possibility of manufacturing the system in Australia and said a number of firms are monitoring their research with that in mind.
''A lot of lower-tech forms of photovoltaics seem to be finding their way into countries where there are cheaper labor costs, so we want to concentrate on developing these high-tech, high-end forms,'' Prasad said.
Australia relies on coal to generate 80 percent of its electricity.
Last year, roof-mounted solar panels in Australia for the first time competed favorably against peak-priced electricity from coal-fired power stations, Asian Scientist magazine reports. Solar photovoltaic panels cost around $1.07, compared to $3.75 per watt a few years ago.
Separately, the future of southwest Queensland's proposed Solar Dawn $1.2 billion solar thermal plant appeared uncertain after it failed to meet a Dec. 15 deadline to compete financing but last week the government granted a six-month extension to its contract.
Australian solar power's demise..
Australian solar retailers have been dropping like flies over the last year - and their demise isn't just due to government policy.
In the last 12 months, a number of well known solar retailers have wound up in the hands of receivers.
- Clear Solar went into administration in June 2011 and was bought out by an electrical wholesaler.
- In August 2011, SolarGen faced the liquidator, with settlement of the sale of its assets occurring in February this year.
- In September last year, Adelaide-based Solar Shop was put into the hands of receivers as it was unable to meet debt obligations to Westpac. It has since been sold to an existing solar company.
- Early this month, Neco Holdings Pty Ltd went into receivership, with the final tweet on their Twitter account stating:
"Neco is no more. We did our best to survive but government policy and dodgy cut-price competitors finally caught up with us. Sorry everyone."
- Beyond Building Systems is the latest to fall, reportedly collapsing as a result of a $1 million debt to the Australian Taxation Office and problems with its SunnyRoo brand of solar inverters.
.. and the list goes on. Additionally, some companies might still be operating, but only just.
The events have not only impacted on many jobs, but also affect consumers who have paid deposits on systems and are still waiting on installation; or are experiencing difficulties with their system.
However SSA is going on strong, kindly visit us on www.solarsa.com.au for additional information about solar panels in Adelaide.
In the last 12 months, a number of well known solar retailers have wound up in the hands of receivers.
- Clear Solar went into administration in June 2011 and was bought out by an electrical wholesaler.
- In August 2011, SolarGen faced the liquidator, with settlement of the sale of its assets occurring in February this year.
- In September last year, Adelaide-based Solar Shop was put into the hands of receivers as it was unable to meet debt obligations to Westpac. It has since been sold to an existing solar company.
- Early this month, Neco Holdings Pty Ltd went into receivership, with the final tweet on their Twitter account stating:
"Neco is no more. We did our best to survive but government policy and dodgy cut-price competitors finally caught up with us. Sorry everyone."
- Beyond Building Systems is the latest to fall, reportedly collapsing as a result of a $1 million debt to the Australian Taxation Office and problems with its SunnyRoo brand of solar inverters.
.. and the list goes on. Additionally, some companies might still be operating, but only just.
The events have not only impacted on many jobs, but also affect consumers who have paid deposits on systems and are still waiting on installation; or are experiencing difficulties with their system.
However SSA is going on strong, kindly visit us on www.solarsa.com.au for additional information about solar panels in Adelaide.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Rising power prices in South Australia
Claims by South Australian Opposition Leader Isobel Redmond that wind and solar power were major contributors to electricity price rises in South Australia are incorrect says the Clean Energy Council.
Last week a study reported stating that pricing for residential electricity supply in Australia is among the highest in the world, with South Australia at the top of the list of Australian states. South Australian electricity prices were noted to be the third highest globally after Denmark and Germany
South Australian Liberal leader Isobel Redmond seized on the report; apportioning blame on the state's uptake of solar energy and wind power for the price hike.
"We know that Denmark has more wind power than any other electricity market and Germany has the highest level of solar photovoltaics, the South Australian Labor Government has pushed both of these technologies here," said Ms. Redmond.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the claim was "simply untrue".
"To be honest, we’re scratching our heads about the claims made by the Opposition Leader. More than 90 per cent of the price hikes over the next three years will come from increases in costs for the traditional energy system," stated Marsh.
“South Australia has a relatively small number of electricity users spread over a large geographical area. The cost of maintaining such a large network means that state power prices are higher than other parts of the country."
Mr. Marsh said a recent report by the Australian Electricity Market Commission showed large-scale renewable energy made up just a few percent of the increases to electricity bills.
In January, Isobel Redmond vowed to ban wind farms within 2 kilometres of any residence in South Australia, in addition to another key element of the Liberal's policy - a ban on wind farms within 5 kilometres of townships.
26% of South Australia's electricity was sourced from wind power last year, more electricity than was generated by coal-fired power stations.
With household electricity prices having risen by more than 40 per cent since 2007 and projected to rise by another 30 percent in the next couple of years; more South Australians are expected to install home solar power systems - particularly in the lead-up to a looming 33% reduction in solar rebates.
Solar panels in Adelaide
Last week a study reported stating that pricing for residential electricity supply in Australia is among the highest in the world, with South Australia at the top of the list of Australian states. South Australian electricity prices were noted to be the third highest globally after Denmark and Germany
South Australian Liberal leader Isobel Redmond seized on the report; apportioning blame on the state's uptake of solar energy and wind power for the price hike.
"We know that Denmark has more wind power than any other electricity market and Germany has the highest level of solar photovoltaics, the South Australian Labor Government has pushed both of these technologies here," said Ms. Redmond.
Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the claim was "simply untrue".
"To be honest, we’re scratching our heads about the claims made by the Opposition Leader. More than 90 per cent of the price hikes over the next three years will come from increases in costs for the traditional energy system," stated Marsh.
“South Australia has a relatively small number of electricity users spread over a large geographical area. The cost of maintaining such a large network means that state power prices are higher than other parts of the country."
Mr. Marsh said a recent report by the Australian Electricity Market Commission showed large-scale renewable energy made up just a few percent of the increases to electricity bills.
In January, Isobel Redmond vowed to ban wind farms within 2 kilometres of any residence in South Australia, in addition to another key element of the Liberal's policy - a ban on wind farms within 5 kilometres of townships.
26% of South Australia's electricity was sourced from wind power last year, more electricity than was generated by coal-fired power stations.
With household electricity prices having risen by more than 40 per cent since 2007 and projected to rise by another 30 percent in the next couple of years; more South Australians are expected to install home solar power systems - particularly in the lead-up to a looming 33% reduction in solar rebates.
Solar panels in Adelaide
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
Increasing electricity boosts the case for going solar.
A study released on Tuesday shows pricing for residential electricity supply in Australia is among the highest in the world, with South Australia at the top of the list.
"Australian Electricity Prices: an International Comparison" was commissioned by the Energy Users Association Of Australia (EUAA). The EUAA says the study busts the myth of the cost of electricity in Australia being low to mid range.
Some key findings from the report, which was based on household electricity prices in 91 jurisdictions around the world:
- Average household electricity prices in Australia are now higher than those in Japan, the European Union, the USA and Canada.
- In 2011, household electricity prices in four of Australia’s eight State/Territories- South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia - were in the top six countries
- Three-quarters of Australia's population are paying electricity prices that are among the six highest in the developed world.
- Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT and the Northern Territory lie outside of the top ten, but they still rank in the top one-third.
According to EUAA's Executive Director, Roman Domanski, the results of the study also indicate Australian electricity prices are expected to " increase further and significantly in the next few years", which will likely make the nation's electricity prices the highest in the world.
Commenting on the report, Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) Chief Executive Professor Ray Wills said the findings prove the case for small scale rooftop solar panel systems.
"With the price of electricity for both domestic and business customers increasing, solar panels deliver electricity that, combined with existing rebates, can potentially pay the investment in panels back within 4-7 years, with the effect that electricity sourced from those panels after that point will be at no further cost."
Professor Wills said for people with mortgages, by generating their own electricity through a home solar power system, the ability to meet their mortgage will not be compromised by rising energy bills.
While the current Solar Credits rebate can significantly reduce the cost of acquiring a solar power system and consequently accelerate the payback time; the rebate will be slashed 33% soon. With systems needing to be installed by June 30 this year in order to qualify for the current rebate level, a rush on installation bookings is expected to start soon.
"Australian Electricity Prices: an International Comparison" was commissioned by the Energy Users Association Of Australia (EUAA). The EUAA says the study busts the myth of the cost of electricity in Australia being low to mid range.
Some key findings from the report, which was based on household electricity prices in 91 jurisdictions around the world:
- Average household electricity prices in Australia are now higher than those in Japan, the European Union, the USA and Canada.
- In 2011, household electricity prices in four of Australia’s eight State/Territories- South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia - were in the top six countries
- Three-quarters of Australia's population are paying electricity prices that are among the six highest in the developed world.
- Tasmania, Queensland, the ACT and the Northern Territory lie outside of the top ten, but they still rank in the top one-third.
According to EUAA's Executive Director, Roman Domanski, the results of the study also indicate Australian electricity prices are expected to " increase further and significantly in the next few years", which will likely make the nation's electricity prices the highest in the world.
Commenting on the report, Sustainable Energy Association (SEA) Chief Executive Professor Ray Wills said the findings prove the case for small scale rooftop solar panel systems.
"With the price of electricity for both domestic and business customers increasing, solar panels deliver electricity that, combined with existing rebates, can potentially pay the investment in panels back within 4-7 years, with the effect that electricity sourced from those panels after that point will be at no further cost."
Professor Wills said for people with mortgages, by generating their own electricity through a home solar power system, the ability to meet their mortgage will not be compromised by rising energy bills.
While the current Solar Credits rebate can significantly reduce the cost of acquiring a solar power system and consequently accelerate the payback time; the rebate will be slashed 33% soon. With systems needing to be installed by June 30 this year in order to qualify for the current rebate level, a rush on installation bookings is expected to start soon.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Sudden death for Australian solar hot water system
The Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, Mark Dreyfus, has announced the closure of the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme.
The Federal scheme provided rebates of $1,000 to install a solar hot water system or $600 to install a heat pump hot water system.
The systems must have been installed, ordered (and a deposit paid) or purchased on or before 28 February 2012. Applications lodged up to 30 June 2012 will continue to be processed, but those received after 30 June 2012 will not be eligible.
Solar and heat pump hot water systems will still be eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which are usually exchanged with retailers for a point-of-sale discount on systems.
Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said the scheme was due to be phased out in June and while the solar industry has been calling for an extension; it was cancelled Tuesday, February 28 at 5pm, with a media release sent out afterwards.
"This decision demonstrates that the government hasn't learned the lessons of the stop-start rooftop solar schemes, the Green Loans debacle and so many other examples through the Gillard, Rudd and Howard years," stated Senator Milne.
"The solar hot water industry has invested quite reasonably in stock, parts and production schedules going forward. This decision treats all those investments with contempt."
Senator Milne believes the government should extend support for the Australian solar hot water industry, saying it is "producing one of the cheapest emissions reducing technologies and exporting it to the world."
According to the release announcing the closure issued by the Minister's office, which provided no reason for its early end, $320 million was provided under the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme to assist more than 250,000 Australian households replace older, more emissions intensive hot water systems.
Electric and gas hot water systems account for approximately 20% of a household's greenhouse gas emissions. By installing a solar water system, household not only slash related carbon emissions, but can also save up to 75% on water heating costs.
Another solar incentive to be reduced soon is the Solar Credits rebate for rooftop solar panel systems. The rebate will be slashed by 33% - assuming it doesn't fall victim to other sudden changes, a scenario that has been all too common in recent years.
The Federal scheme provided rebates of $1,000 to install a solar hot water system or $600 to install a heat pump hot water system.
The systems must have been installed, ordered (and a deposit paid) or purchased on or before 28 February 2012. Applications lodged up to 30 June 2012 will continue to be processed, but those received after 30 June 2012 will not be eligible.
Solar and heat pump hot water systems will still be eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), which are usually exchanged with retailers for a point-of-sale discount on systems.
Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said the scheme was due to be phased out in June and while the solar industry has been calling for an extension; it was cancelled Tuesday, February 28 at 5pm, with a media release sent out afterwards.
"This decision demonstrates that the government hasn't learned the lessons of the stop-start rooftop solar schemes, the Green Loans debacle and so many other examples through the Gillard, Rudd and Howard years," stated Senator Milne.
"The solar hot water industry has invested quite reasonably in stock, parts and production schedules going forward. This decision treats all those investments with contempt."
Senator Milne believes the government should extend support for the Australian solar hot water industry, saying it is "producing one of the cheapest emissions reducing technologies and exporting it to the world."
According to the release announcing the closure issued by the Minister's office, which provided no reason for its early end, $320 million was provided under the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme to assist more than 250,000 Australian households replace older, more emissions intensive hot water systems.
Electric and gas hot water systems account for approximately 20% of a household's greenhouse gas emissions. By installing a solar water system, household not only slash related carbon emissions, but can also save up to 75% on water heating costs.
Another solar incentive to be reduced soon is the Solar Credits rebate for rooftop solar panel systems. The rebate will be slashed by 33% - assuming it doesn't fall victim to other sudden changes, a scenario that has been all too common in recent years.
Monday, 27 February 2012
CFC substitutes: Good for the ozone layer, bad for the climate?
The Montreal Protocol led to a global phase-out of most substances that deplete the ozone layer, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). A happy side-effect of the gradual ban of these products is that Earth's climate has also benefited because CFCs are also potent greenhouse gases. However, now a "rebound effect" threatens to accelerate the rate of global warming.
So far, so good. In many processes where previously CFCs were used, these are now being increasingly substituted by fluorinated compounds such as HFCs (which, simply put, are similar substances to CFCs but do not contain chlorine and do not deplete stratospheric ozone). They are used as cooling agents in air conditioning plants and refrigerators, as propellants in aerosol cans, as solvents and as foaming agents in the manufacture of foam products. However, there is a downside to the use of HFCs -- they are also very potent greenhouse gases. HFC-134a, also known as R-134a, for example, which is used in automobile air conditioning units, is 1430 more active than the "classic" greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2).
International environmental agreements can also have unwanted side effects
The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is covered by the Kyoto Protocol. This agreement is, however, not binding for the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the USA (which has never ratified the protocol), nor for threshold and developing countries. In addition the Kyoto Protocol is currently limited to the period from 2000 to 2012. No agreement has yet been reached on extending it. What this means is that the significant increase in global emissions of HFCs seen over the past few years will soon negate the positive effects on climate brought by the Montreal protocol's CFC phase-out.
This link is shown by an analysis published in the latest issue of "Science." An international team of researchers, headed by Holland's Guus Velders and including the chemistry Nobel laureate Mario Molina and Empa researcher Stefan Reimann, investigated the unintentional (positive) climate effects resulting from the Montreal Protocol. Since the year 2000 the radiative forcing (a measure of the effect on the climate of chemical substances) of all ozone-depleting substances including CFCs has remained at a more or less constant value of 0.32 W/m2, compared to a value of 1.5 W/m2 for CO2. Had the Montreal Protocol recommendations not been implemented, today's value would be approximately double this figure, i.e. 0.65 W/m2. Putting things another way, the CFC ban has prevented the equivalent of 10 billion tonnes of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere in 2010, five times the annual reduction target set by the Kyoto Protocol.
Velders, Reimann and their co-authors fear that this positive effect will soon be negated by HFC emissions, which are currently increasing at 10 to 15% annually. In their article they state that "the HFC contribution to climate change can be viewed as an unintended negative side effect" of the Montreal Protocol. At the moment the effect is still small -- about 0.012 W/m2 for all CFC substitutes combined. But it is beyond question that radiative forcing due to HFCs will rise significantly in future as a result of increasing demand and production for these substances, above all in threshold and developing countries. The atmospheric scientists estimate that this value will rise to between 0.25 und 0.4 W/m2 by the year 2050. The greatest problem is presented by saturated HFCs, which are extremely stable and survive in the atmosphere for up to 50 years, exhibiting a long-term global warming potential of up to 4000 times higher than CO2. For Empa researcher Reimann the situation is clear: "Long-lived HFCs should no longer be used in these quantities."
A "simple" solution: expanding the scope of the Montreal Protocol
Among other things, the scientists recommend modifying the Montreal protocol so that it also covers the use of long-lived HFCs. Such proposals have already been tabled in previous years by various countries including the USA. "Since it is it is as a result of the Montreal protocol that these substances are being manufactured in increasing amounts, they could be included in the agreement too, so their use can be regulated as well," maintains Reimann. A stepwise phase-out of HFCs is technically feasible since, according to Reimann, chemical and technological alternatives are already available. In the USA for example refrigerators are cooled using HFC-134a; in Switzerland the use of this substance in refrigerators is banned and climate neutral hydrocarbons are used instead.
Solar panels Adelaide
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