Solar Industry Celebrates Grid Parity
The Photovoltaic Association says the drop in cost of producing power from solar panels has made solar power competitive with coal-generated grid power.
Solar power generated by photovoltaic cells on Australian rooftops has become so cheap and efficient that they now produce electricity for the same price that is charged by the electricity grid. Australia is one of the first countries in the world for such solar power to reach what is known as 'grid parity'. In a time of rising electricity prices, it means even without solar subsidies it makes good economic sense to install the panels on your house.
Across the country, governments of all persuasions are abandoning schemes to pay people for the power their rooftop solar cells generate.
Despite controversy over feed-in tariffs - which have been blamed for Australia's rapidly rising electricity costs - rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are now generating electricity for the same price and sometimes cheaper than can be bought from the grid.In effect, this makes solar competitive with coal, even without subsidies, according to Photovoltaic Association spokeswoman Dr Muriel Watt.
http://www.abc.net.au
Parliament of Australia
Parliamentary Library; Carbon taxes
A carbon tax is a tax on energy sources which emit carbon dioxide. It is a pollution tax, which some economists favour because they tax a 'bad' rather than a 'good' (such as income). Carbon taxes address a negative externality. Externalities arise when an individual production or consumption activity imposes costs or benefits on others. In market transactions, these costs and benefits are not normally reflected in the prices involved in the transaction, or taken into account in the transaction decision.
By placing a cost on these negative externalities the underlying purpose of a carbon tax is to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and thereby slow global warming. It can be implemented by taxing the burning of fossil fuels—coal, petroleum products such as petrol and aviation fuel, and natural gas—in proportion to their carbon content.
http://www.aph.gov.au
Casey Weekly, Berwick;19th July 2011
'No boom' for Solar Module Maker
SOLAR manufacturers may not have their time in the sun despite the federal government's announcement of a $3.2billion renewable energy fund last week.
Jain Lal, director of Hallam-based Australian Solar Manufacturing, did not expect any of the windfall to flow through to his business...
http://www.caseyweeklyberwick.com.au
Casey Weekly, Cranbourne; July 18, 2011
Casey Solar Panel maker misses out on funds
SOLAR manufacturers may not be having their time in the sun despite the federal government's announcement last week of a $3.2billion renewable energy fund.
Jain Lal, director of Hallam-based Australian Solar Manufacturing, did not expect any of the windfall to flow through to his business.
The government's proposed Australian Renewable Energy Agency, which is distributing the funds, will focus on research and development of new technologies.
http://www.caseyweeklycranbourne.com.au
SBS; July 13, 2011
Carbon Taxes around the world
Which other countries have a carbon tax?
Finland; The Netherlands; Sweden; India; Norway; Denmark; Switzerland; Ireland; Costa Rica; Quebec, Boulder
http://www.sbs.com.au
7 News; July 11, 2011
Coalition says Carbon Tax fight not over
The federal opposition is not conceding the carbon pricing scheme is a done deal, as Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her ministers cross the nation talking up the plan.
A day after unveiling her plan to put a $23 a tonne price on carbon from July 1 next year, Ms Gillard headed to the marginal Labor seat of Lindsay in Sydney's west to sell tax cuts and pension rises benefiting nine out of 10 households and emphasise the need for climate action.
http://au.news.yahoo.com
Herald Sun; July 10, 2011
10 Things yu need to know about the Carbon Tax
1. About 8 million households will get some assistance
2. Average household costs will increase by $9.90 pw
3. The Tax will start at $23 per tonne and will hit about 500 companies - the largest polluters
4. About 60% of Australia's pollution will be covered
5. More than $9 billion is earmarked to preserve jobs in high polluting companies
6. Small businesses will get an asset write-off concession to help lower costs
7. Carbon emissions cut by 159m tonnes per year
8. Pensioners and self-funded retirees will get upto $338 extra per year
9. Farmers will not have to pay the tax
10. Tax thresholds will change
To read in detail click on link below:
http://www.heraldsun.com.au
The Sydney Morning Herald: July 10, 2011
Carbon tax explained
WHAT IS IT?
A flat charge of $23 per tonne of emissions will be levied on the top polluters. It is designed to change energy use and encourage investment in clean energy sources such as solar, gas and wind. In 2015, the tax will be replaced with a market-driven system, referred to as an Emissions Trading Scheme.
WHO PAYS THE TAX?
Only the nation's top 500 polluters, half the number originally planned. This is partly due to the government's decision to exclude fuel from the scheme. In total, 0.02 per cent of Australia's 3 million businesses will be taxed. Fuel suppliers and distributors and companies emitting synthetic greenhouse gases, including the refrigeration and air-conditioning industries, are exempt.
Click http://www.smh.com.au
Read more on " Where does the money go?" "When does it start?" "What does the opposition want?"
Casey Weekly, Berwick; 14th June 2011
Hallam Company's Day in Sun
SOLAR power has a bright future if governments can get the policy settings right and stick to them, says the head of a Hallam company that manufactures solar panels.
One of the few Australian makers of solar panels in an industry dominated by cheap Chinese imports, Australian Solar Manufacturing was named manufacturer of the year in last year's Casey Business Awards.
Company director Jain Lal said the award had boosted the company's reputation and resulted in a number of local orders for solar panel installation.
http://www.caseyweeklyberwick.com.au
27th August 2010
Casey Business Awards 2010
From Left: Melissa Daquino (Sponsor - Fyna Foods), Janice (BDM), Jain Lal (Director)
Australian Solar Manufacturing Pty Ltd was announced Winner in the Manufacturer of the Year Category during the inaugural Casey Business Awards held at Arthur Wren Hall, Hampton Park.
The Casey Business Awards were designed to encourage local enterprise and celebrate business success in the City of Casey. 121 applications from 83 businesses across the municipality were received for this inaugural event!
inBusiness Magazine Issue 44 Special Edition Casey Business Award
http://www.casey.vic.gov.au
6th May 2010
Australian Solar Manufacturing Pty Ltd has been appointed as an Australian Rennsteig Tool Distributor. Rennsteig is an innovation leader in tools for wiring. Their tools are used in many industries:
Solar energy
Aerospace
Automotive
and wherever electrical connections need to be neat, durable, and fast. For 30 years Rennsteig has been manufacturing tools in Germany and the US to the highest standards anywhere. Their tools are designed for maximum performance, ease of use and long life. You will find no better crimpers, strippers, or cutters.
Take a look, and see what we mean.
 THE crimping, stripping and cutting EXPERTS
www.rennsteig.us
16th April 2010
Casey Business Matches the World
"The latest technology in solar panels is being built right here in Casey. Hallam-based business Australian Solar Manufacturing Pty Ltd (ASM) produces solar panel modules and is internationally accredited. Totally Australian owned, this company is taking on international manufacturers, and winning!"
City of Casey's March issue of inBusiness Magazine covers an article on Australian Solar Manufacturing (ASM) and its emergence as Victoria's only solar module Manufacturer.
inBusiness Magazine Edition 42 March
http://www.casey.vic.gov.au
2nd March 2010
More would install solar if power paid for
THE cost of installing rooftop solar panels could be dramatically lowered by abolishing rebates and paying households a premium for all electricity generated at home, an economic analysis has found.
The analysis by consultants Access Economics, on behalf of the Electrical Trades Union, found a national gross feed-in-tariff would be a far cheaper way to boost uptake of rooftop solar panels than existing policies.
The union's Victorian secretary Dean Mighell said twice as many solar units would have been installed if the $1 billion spent on rebates was funnelled into a premium subsidy.
A national tariff has been backed by retailer Woolworths and the Property Council of Australia.
http://www.theage.com.au
2nd March 2010
Peter Garrett Demoted
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last week stripped Mr Garrett of responsibility for the program because of serious problems with its implementation.
Mr Garrett was demoted on Friday after the now-axed $2.45 billion home insulation program he oversaw was linked to four deaths and 93 house fires.
He will remain as Environment Minister but his portfolio will focus on environmental protection as well as heritage and the arts.
http://www.abc.net.au/news
26th February 2010
Changes to the Renewable Energy Target Scheme
The Government announced proposed amendments to the RET scheme effective from 1 January 2011 including:
- the RET scheme will include two parts - the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET).
- the SRES will provide a fixed price of $40 per REC.
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