Solar and Storage Progress Winter 2016 by Smart Energy Council

Solar & Storage WINTER 2016

• F ederal election: Party policies and commitment to renewable energy • A CT’s Simon Corbell: Toward 100% renewables • S olar and Storage on Show: All the action and highlights

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL &

• E nergy Storage: Early results of battery trials, technical advances and other news

THE ENERGY STORAGE COUNCIL

• Industry recruitment: Skills in demand

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Australian Solar Council Foreword by CEO and guest Dr Alan Finkel

Solar and Energy Storage Show 2016

NZPSSC activities and Hall of Fame

Corporate Members Positive Quality™

Contents WINTER 2016

IBC

Market Dynamics News and views

Infographic: political forces and market highs and lows

Upcoming events

Special Features The federal election: party policies ACT Minister Simon Corbell: towards 100% renewables

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GCL launches lightweight battery in Australia 34 Greenbank Environmental upholds industry reputation

Local Councils embrace renewables

Front cover: Large-scale solar plant, image courtesy ARENA

Around the traps Sunvertec’s distributed inverter

Industry recruiter Polyglot’s market insights 38 One notable installation

Products and services Fronius forges new partnership

Launch of Australian Battery Guide

ESC President Steve Blume’s storage update 20 Selectronic’s SP PRO in the jungles of Borneo

Mark Byrne of TEC: Networks and batteries

News wrap: storage product launches

AllGrid Energy: The Oasis Strategy

IT Power’s battery trials

Redback’s Phil Livingston on disruptive technology

AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL CEO John Grimes PO Box 231, Mawson ACT 2607 admin@solar.org.au Phone: 1300 768 204 Solar & Storage ISSN 2206-1673

SOLAR & STORAGE EDITOR: Nicola Card editor@solar.org.au nicola@solar.org.au

Solar & Storage and Storage Developments advertising enquiries contact: Brett Thompson, Sales Manager | Phone: 0402 181 250 | brett@solar.org.au

DESIGN AND PRODUCTION: Mitzi Mann

SOLAR & STORAGE is published by the AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL. ABN 32 006 824 148 www.solar.org.au Subscription and membership enquiries contact Anna Washington, Phone: 0409 802 707, anna@solar.org.au

CONTRIBUTORS: Steve Blume, Mark Byrne, Simon Corbell, Alan Finkel, Liz Floyd, Phil Livingston, Deborah Oberon, Fiona O’Hehir, Penny Parle, Oliver Woldring.

Solar & Storage (Solar Progress) was first published in 1980. The magazine aims to provide readers with an in-depth review of technologies, policies and progress towards a society which sources energy from the sun rather than fossil fuels. Except where specifically stated, the opinions and material published in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council. Although every effort is made to check the authenticity and accuracy of articles, neither the Solar Council nor the editors are responsible for any inaccuracy. Solar & Storage is published quarterly. www.solar.org.au

Welcome

John Grimes Chief Executive, Australian Solar Council and Energy Storage Council THIS WILL BE A CRITICAL ELECTION for those who care about solar and storage and renewable energy. Let’s call a spade a spade – the past three years of the Abbott/Turnbull Government were awful for our industry: • We had the dodgy Warburton Review of the Renewable Energy Target; • We had Tony Abbott trying to axe the Renewable Energy Target, Clean Energy Finance Corporation and ARENA; and then

• We had Malcolm Turnbull continuing Tony Abbott’s policies. Renewable energy investment has plummeted 88 per cent over the past three years. Investment in household solar is at a five-year low. The situation could hardly be worse. So this election matters. This election will be a choice between a Government running on its track record on renewables and other political parties committed to strong action on solar, storage and renewable energy. The ALP is committed to at least 50 per cent renewables by 2030. That is DOUBLE what the Coalition Government is offering. The Greens are committed to 90 per cent renewables by 2030 and have a strong energy storage policy. Glenn Lazarus (Queensland), Dio Wang (WA) and Ricky Muir (Victoria) have all played critical roles in the Senate in blocking the axing of the Renewable Energy Target, CEFC and ARENA. They deserve your support in the Senate. Your vote matters. Please support candidates in the House of Representatives and the Senate who support good solar policy. If you don’t know where candidates stand, send them an email through www.votesolar.com.au – it’s dead simple. If you live in Brisbane, come to our Vote Solar Forums in Mt Gravatt and Beenleigh and if you live in Melbourne, come to our Frankston forum on 27 June. All the details are at www.votesolar.com.au Whatever the election result, whoever is in government, we will make sure the next Government is as committed to solar and storage as we are.

Guest Editorial I’VE GOT A NEW ACRONYM IN MIND: SUN. It stands for ‘Scale Up Nation’. To my mind, the great imperative in the decade ahead is seeking that SUN: and most of all in renewable energy. The global ambition is a zero emissions world – the sooner the better, but with an eye to 2050. The challenge, as we know, is immense: not just to preserve our environment but to do so without breaking our economy. Renewables today contribute just 13.5 per cent of Australia’s total electrical energy supply; and hydroelectric plants remain the single largest contributor to the renewable energy sector. A massive boost through large-scale hydro is unlikely to be the answer communities embrace. The same is true today of nuclear generation. If we want to scale up, fast, then the growth will have to come from solar and wind. And the opportunity is simply too good to ignore! The American wholesale price for electricity from large-scale solar PV is now less than the wholesale price for electricity from coal. On the global scale, the International Energy Agency predicts that solar could become the single largest source of electricity by midcentury – from a base of barely one per cent in 2013.

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Investors are rearranging their portfolios to suit. Global investment in renewable generation hit US$329 billion in 2015. By 2030, Bloomberg predicts it will reach US$5 trillion. The complementary forces of advancing technologies and hungry markets will ensure the price of solar generation continues to fall. Going forward, the essential need is to achieve the same massive price drop in the storage technologies to back up solar and wind. I’ve got my own theories on technologies nearing their time in the SUN; but so do many others. Working at scale doesn’t mean over-investing in a single possible answer. It means framing the ambition and enabling the SUN-seekers to make their case, with an open mind to the benefits and costs that Australia’s Chief each option presents. Scientist Dr Alan Finkel Regardless of our technology path, the underlying capabilities are the same: a skilled workforce, a strong research base, a sound policy framework and an appetite in industry for opportunity at scale. So let’s get busy: it’s our time in the SUN. Dr Alan Finkel is Australia’s Chief Scientist

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Local and global NEWS UNSW records quantum leap in solar cell efficiency Mid May marked a milestone for Australian engineers who edged closer to the theoretical limits of sunlight-to-electricity conversion by PV cells to 34.5 per cent, which sets a new world efficiency record. For this they used a new device, a 28-cm2 four-junction mini-module embedded in a prism that extracts the maximum energy from sunlight. The new record is officially almost 44 per cent better than the previous record of 24 per Professor Martin Green pictured at the Solar and Energy Storage Show the week before the breakthrough announcement

cent efficiency achieved by US Alta Devices, but that was over a larger surface area of 800-cm2. Driving the breakthrough were Dr Mark Keevers and Professor Martin Green, Senior Research Fellow and Director of UNSW’s Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. “What’s remarkable is that this level of efficiency had not been expected for many years,” said Green, a pioneer who has led the field for much of his 40 years at UNSW, and was a key presenter at the Solar and Energy Storage Show in early May. Keevers says “Extracting more energy from every beam of sunlight is critical to reducing the cost of electricity generated by solar cells as it lowers the investment needed, and delivering payback faster.” The UNSW team with its long track record of success is now working on new techniques to reduce the manufacturing complexity, and create cheaper multi-junction cells.

Vote for Solar Members, their families and friends are urged to get behind the Solar Council’s marginal seats campaign and attend the Vote Solar forums being staged in three key marginal seats: • Bonner Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Tuesday 14 June, Newnham Hotel, 518 Newnham Road, Mount Gravatt, Brisbane. • Forde Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Wednesday 15 June, Beenleigh Bowls Club, 11 Hanover Street, Beenleigh, Brisbane. • Dunkley Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Monday 27 June, Frankston Football Club, Plowman Place, Frankston, Melbourne.

www.votesolar.com.au The Solar Council Vote Solar campaign website provides resources and information in the build up to the July 2 federal election. Read more about the campaign strategy on pages 8-9.

Residents of Salisbury just north of Adelaide are in the right place at the right time, with generous offers from SA Power Networks in its trial of rooftop solar and energy storage, allegedly the largest of its kind in Australia. Partnering with Reposit Power, Samsung and Tesla, SAPN plans to install 100 solar and

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storage systems at a fraction of the market cost in a bid to determine the value of distributed generation, factoring in the costs saved on network upgrades. Interested residents would pay just $6150 for 3 kW of rooftop solar and a 6.4 kWh battery or can opt to buy or rent just the battery.

On May 30 at the Opera House Virgin Australia and Greening Australia joined forces to put the spotlight on the plight of the Barrier Reef. Recognising it is under significant threat, Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, and Greening Australia Chair, Gordon Davis announced a multimillion dollar initiative to help restore and protect Australia’s most precious natural icon. The event which gained enormous media coverage was timely. Just the previous week the Climate Council’s Will Steffen found that government officials pressured UNESCO to silence the truth about the destructive impact of climate change on the Reef. Steffen last year reviewed impacts of climate change on World Heritage sites and tourism but when the report was released he was astonished to find passages on the threat to the Reef had been fully omitted. All references to the Reef blotted out. “Information is the currency of democracy. When governments attempt to suppress or pressure scientific information, we must speak up,” said Steffen. He has taken more than a few hits in recent years, the big one being the Coalition government’s closure of the Climate Commission.

SERGE BERTASIUS PHOTOGRAPHY FREEDIGITALPHOTOS.NET

Sunny SA

Great Barrier to truth: Branson to the rescue?

Local and global NEWS Mega big solar plant

German investors are planning a mega solar power project with a generation capacity of one gigawatt – yes, that’s right, 1000 MW – in Duqm, a port town on the Arabian Sea in Oman. Eight companies have joined forces with the main promoter to develop the project and German-based investment trusts will provide the required finance, technology, technically qualified professionals and training for up to 1000 local people to develop the project. Many will be flown to Germany for four to 12 weeks. Both the governments of Oman and Germany are interested in the project that is forecast to take five years to complete, following approval by the Oman government. Local investors are also sought. The solar panels will be mainly sourced from German manufacturers. The Omani Rural Areas Electricity Company aims to lift the contribution of renewable energy (especially solar energy) to total power generation to 25 per cent by 2021. When we checked, the long-term weather forecast for the region was the same each day: a hot sunny 31 degrees, not a cloud in sight for the township that is undergoing rapid expansion. Duqm’s population grew from about 5100 in 2008 to more than 11,200 people in 2010, and the Oman Tourism Development Company is looking to develop it into a resort township accommodating 100,000 by 2020 with many facilities powered by the sun.

REC’s reckoning ‘Closing the COP21 Gap by Going Solar’ Solar energy solutions company REC commissioned a study to show how solar energy can make a significant contribution to limiting the global temperature rise. However, the required capacity ramp-up could be up to nine times higher in 2025 than predicted by any other current forecast; resulting in up to 4.8 terawatts above current forecast of cumulated new solar capacity by 2025. Among the findings: To replace coal and nuclear, Germany needs to add an average 8.31 GW of solar capacity every year – ramping up solar by 4.6 times the current forecast. In the US, cumulative solar PV installations of approximately 790 GW would be needed – four

REC’s complete study will be published at Intersolar Europe, June 22 to 24.

Coal’s downward spiral: solar and storage to plug the gap? May 9 marked South Australia’s coal-free milestone with the closure of the 520 MW Northern Power Station in Port Augusta. That leaves the state with 2,800 MW of capacity in its gas-fired generators and 1,500 MW of wind farms. South Australia boasts around 600 MW of rooftop solar and the Melbourne Energy Institute identifies investment in storage as the way forward for continuity of energy supplies in that state. Goodbye Hazelwood? Over in Victoria uncertainty surrounds the future of “the world’s

Solar & Storage is printed by Printgraphics whose green credentials include:

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times the current forecast – to keep the country on track to meet its share of closing the emissions gap by 2025. Japan would need to treble its current forecast to deliver cumulative additional solar capacity of 250 GW by 2025. REC points to the need to seriously scale up solar capacity to reach installations of 1.7 terawatts in 2025 alone, significantly greater than the forecast based on the current trend. REC’s findings coincided with the late May government meeting of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, in preparation for the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) being held later this year.

most polluting” power station, Hazelwood in LaTrobe valley. Two years ago the plant made headline news over the fire that raged for well over a month and caused significant health and environmental problems. Recently Hazelwood’s French owners Engie (formerly GDF Suez) mooted the closure of Hazelwood – or did they? The company reputedly stated it was “studying all possible scenarios, including closure of Hazelwood”, then later clarified “Hazelwood … is facing a range of significant challenges, not the least of which are the difficult trading conditions [but] has an operating licence until 2034 and is a reliable contributor to the NEM.” Hazelwood currently supplies as much as a quarter of Victoria’s energy requirements (along with significant amounts of greenhouse gas emissions) and a closure of the plant would be widely celebrated among environmentalists and the solar and storage industry, which stands poised for massive growth.

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FEDERAL ELECTION

Voting for Solar JULY 2 IS AN IMPORTANT DATE for the renewable energy industry, with the political party that is elected for the three-year term determining the level of support for clean energy policies. At the time of writing, the two main parties were running neck and neck in the polls, with the electorate weighing up party policies and deciding which best represents their interests and concerns. Media reports suggest climate change will be the ‘major battleground’ as voter concern heats up, and within households rising power prices continue to bite. Solar Council chief executive John Grimes commented that across the land, communities are well aware of the all-round benefits of installing solar power to reduce power bills. And in reference to the upcoming federal election he says “… solar energy spans the economic and political spectrum [and] the solar industry has the potential to move votes where it matters most.” So where do the respective political parties stand on solar power and a clean energy future?

Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler

The Greens are targeting a 63 to 82 per cent cut in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030; 28 per cent clean energy by 2020 and rising to more than 90 per cent by 2030 in the bid to later reach 100 per cent clean energy. The Greens have also released a plan that supports the rollout of battery storage across Australia; a price on carbon and a levy on coal exports; with no new coal fired power stations or coal mines to be developed – ever again. Their comprehensive plan RenewAustralia addresses all these issues.

has pledged a review of the NEM and his party will deliver policies that shore up Australia’s clean energy future

“If ever there was an

Should Labor gain power, the party will drive a 45 per cent cut in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030; set a target of 50 per cent clean energy by 2030; invest $206.6 million in ARENA for CST funding, and $98.7 million in a Community Power network and regional hubs. The ALP will also introduce two emissions trading schemes: one for the electricity sector and the other for large emitters. In mid May the Shorten Labor party announced a goal of net zero pollution by 2050 and a drastic increase of investment in renewable energies like solar, saying: “We’ll cut pollution with an emissions trading scheme, generate cleaner power, increase energy efficiency and capture carbon on land.“ Labor has also committed to a review of the National Electricity Market; greater certainty and flexibility with less red tape and more technology options for the CEFC, and to cement its commitment Labor will ensure the federal government leads by example as a direct purchaser of renewable energy.

opportunity …” John Hewson says linking renewable energy with jobs and growth is a no-brainer

PHOTOS: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

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The Coalition is pledging a 26-28 per cent cut in emissions on 2005 levels by 2030; 23 per cent clean energy by 2020; and will continue the $2.55 billion Emissions Reductions Fund. (Note: A letter from Malcolm Turnbull landing in letterboxes across Australia focuses on a strong new economy under a five dot-point plan; stating “In this very uncertain world Australia needs political stability and a strong economic plan for jobs and families.” The letter is silent on the matter of clean energy.) A major paper’s word cloud illustrated Turnbull’s ‘clear’ emphasis at the early May federal budget: he used the words ‘plan’ and ‘tax’ 21 times, ‘jobs’ 14 times, ‘economic’ 11 times and ‘investment’ 10 times. Climate change scored zero.

Active involvement The Solar Council recently issued a reminder that the Abbott/Turnbull Governments tried to abolish the RET as well as the CEFC and ARENA, and in the process destroyed confidence which triggered an 88 per cent decline in renewable energy investment. All signals are that the Turnbullled Coalition remains committed to Abbott’s anti-solar, anti-climate and anti-renewables agenda. Should the Coalition be re-elected more of the same is anticipated, and John Grimes is urging members to get behind the Solar Council’s Vote Solar marginal seats campaign which is running a series of activities that put the spotlight on strong solar policy.

VOTE SOLAR The Solar Council is staging a series of activities across Australia in support of good solar policy and has built a Vote Solar campaign website that provides resources and information: news updates, adverts, press releases and media coverage. Members are urged to contact their federal candidates to learn more about their solar policy, a process that takes just seconds on the Votesolar website through three simple clicks – punch in your name and postcode and the email is delivered.

www.votesolar.com.au

The Solar Council as ‘formidable advocates’

Marginal seats in the target zone

Vote Solar campaign strategist Wayne Smith spells out the importance of the composition of the Senate, reminding the industry that without the support of just four cross-bench senators the future of solar and the RET would have been rewritten. Now all 76 Senate seats are up for election in the double dissolution election and the choice of candidates is particularly crucial. Past Greens leader Christine Milne recently described the Solar Council as ‘Formidable advocates for the solar industry’ in reference to the highly successful Save Solar campaigns of 2015. “I was [then] on the inside and watched their approach … they went into marginal seats and put the fear of god into sitting members as there was so much support for solar, enough support to force change, to put them out of their seats. “In an election year this is what you need to know,” she said.

Vote Solar forums are being staged in three key marginal seats, two in Brisbane and one in Melbourne: • Bonner Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Tuesday 14 June, Newnham Hotel, 518 Newnham Road, Mount Gravatt, Brisbane. • Forde Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Wednesday 15 June, Beenleigh Bowls Club, 11 Hanover Street, Beenleigh, Brisbane. • Dunkley Vote Solar Forum 6.30-8.30pm, Monday 27 June, Frankston Football Club, Plowman Place, Frankston, Melbourne. Note: in mid May a “shock surge” in polling saw Labor on track to gain Dunkley 52-48, following the exit of Liberal member Bruce Billson.

Past Greens leader Christine Milne recently described the Solar Council as ‘Formidable advocates for the solar industry’

Invited to speak at the Vote Solar Forums are the Coalition’s Greg Hunt, Labor’s Mark Butler, the Greens’ Larissa Waters and Independent Senator Glenn Lazarus, along with the local candidates. The forums are expected to attract hundreds of Solar Council members, friends, family and local people who understand the importance of clean energy and will ‘vote for solar’ as the way ahead.

The key planks of the Solar Council’s Vote Solar campaign are: • A “fair price” for solar and feed-in tariffs: affordable systems for families to save money on power bills • A long-term vision for solar and renewables, reflected in a RET that extends beyond 2020 • A minimum 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030 which is good for Australians, their household budgets and the planet • Decarbonisation of the National Electricity Market, and • Restoration of full funding for ARENA, the only agency that invests in new renewables technology “The solar industry must collectively get behind the marginal seats and support the Solar Council’s Vote Solar marginal seats campaign,” John Grimes says. “Solar is a win for the health, the economy and for society at large.”

Solar & Storage 9

RENEWABLE ENERGY IN THE ACT

One hundred per cent renewables for the nation’s capital In April this year the ACT Government announced a target of 100 per cent renewable electricity by the year 2020, establishing the nation’s capital as a leading jurisdiction nationally and internationally in the switch to 100 per cent clean energy. Here, Solar Council Patron and ACT Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell shares details of the wide ranging initiatives. TO DATE THE ACT GOVERNMENT which supports the move to 100 per cent renewable energy within four years has supported the development of three large-scale solar facilities within the ACT’s borders. The 20 MW Royalla Solar Farm has been operational for over a year, powering nearly 4500 Canberra homes. The Mugga Lane Solar Park, a 13 MW project has commenced construction, and the 11 MW Williamsdale project, recently acquired by Australian investors Impact Investment Group, has achieved financial close and construction is underway. All three projects, delivering more than 40 MW of large-scale solar generation, demonstrate the strengths of the ACT’s large-scale feed in tariff (FiT) law. Along with the support provided to 400 MW of large scale wind generation, the large scale FiT law, delivered through a reverse auction process, has demonstrated its capacity to provide policy certainty, securing finance for large scale projects, and pushing down the costs to consumers.

Positive results The outcomes of the ACT’s solar and wind reverse auctions are relatively well known, however less well understood is how the ACT has secured investment in local economic development outcomes by using the reverse auction in innovative ways. By weighting economic development outcomes as key criteria in the assessment of auction bids, the ACT economy has already achieved over $400 million of economic benefit as it grows as a centre of renewable energy excellence. Solar and wind development companies are establishing or growing their presence in Canberra as part of their commitments though the reverse auction process. Development and Operations centres are being opened or are expanding. Investment in renewable energy skills training centres is being funded in the ACT’s TAFE sector and companies are partnering with researchers in our universities, sharing date and expertise and directly funding further research. These outcomes are being underpinned by smart policy like the ACT’s Renewable Energy Industry Framework, and are supported by the industry led development cluster, the South East Region for Renewable Energy Excellence (SERREE). The ACT is now adapting this approach of mandating economic development outcomes in a competitive process as it supports the early adoption of battery storage in the ACT.

Battery storage in ACT The Next Generation Battery Storage Initiative is providing grants to support the rollout of distributed storage, and generation, to more than 5000 Canberra homes and businesses. Grants will be administered through multiple competitive bid rounds over the next three years. Bidding companies will receive grants to reduce the cost to install approximately 36 MW of renewable energy storage capacity into the

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The ACT’s Next Generation Battery Storage initiative is driving uptake of distributed storage ACT grid. The initiative is being funded through payments from the winners of the ACT’s current large scale reverse auction and the winning battery proposals will be required to commit to economic development outcomes for the city. The ACT Government is facilitating the development of an industry hub in the City West precinct, adjacent to the Australian National University and is encouraging battery, solar and wind developers to locate in the district. Already local companies and international firms are growing their presence in Canberra as a result. Local start-ups like Reposit Power, ITP Renewables and Windlab, along with Neoen, CWP Renewables and Solar Hub are all growing their Canberra presence. It’s little surprise that growth in the renewable energy sector in the ACT continues to be one of the strongest in Australia.

Leading the way The ACT has now locked in support for most of the large scale solar and wind projects needed to achieve 100 per cent renewables by 2020. The current Next Gen large-scale auction and battery storage program will allow the 100 per cent target to be met, with all projects operational by 2020. Achieved through a well recognised and certain reverse auction process, the ACT is now also securing a first mover advantage as it grows the skills and knowledge base needed to be an exporter of knowledge and expertise in the low carbon economy. It is an example other Australian jurisdictions can, and should, build on. Simon Corbell MLA is the ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. He is a Patron of the Australian Solar Council. For more information on the ACT’s policies visit the Environment and Planning Directorate website http://www.environment.act.gov.au/energy

CONFERENCE REPORT

Show of purpose and unity Each year the Solar Council’s conference and expo takes on a certain mood and this year the atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation matched with a realistic view of present day dynamics.

EXPO FLOOR: Show of Ingenuity and Innovation

PHOTOS: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

IF NUMBERS ARE A SHOW OF STRENGTH, then this year’s Solar and Energy Storage show, which attracted more than 4700 delegates, 100 exhibitors and 90 speakers was the strongest to date. And those numbers send a positive signal about the commitment to the industry that is pivotal to a smart clean energy future. This year’s Show exceeded expectations on many fronts. Additional floor space was booked and filled, the line up of guest speakers was wide-ranging and all-inclusive; and a series of product launches set the scene for the clean energy revolution.

solar farm and soon to be seen at the DeGrussa facility. The fast growing company is expanding into a series of markets and in a sign of confidence in big solar ‘down under’ NEXTracker is in the process of opening offices in Sydney. What stood out for Solar Council President Steve Blume was “Almost without exception and for the first time all displays were offering a complete solution, that is not just solar panels or one specific aspect of technology, we are now focused on the full energy solution through solar with storage, not just individual products.”

Conference streams

Professional Development: Thousands of We spotted Shadow Environment Minister CPD points were snapped up over the two days Mark Butler at the Sunvertec stand, which was in which Glen Morris of Solarquip spelt out one of many show highlights for Kevin Davies. Industry Best Practice for Energy Storage Systems The innovator and visionary is a passionate Standards: AS4777 Revision, AS4086 Storage advocate for the renewable industry and together Requirements and IEC62109. He was joined on with his son Alex has developed the world’s the podium by prominent technical specialists first distributed inverter Xenos. The compact yet Geoff Bragg, Barbara Ellison, Brian England, powerful unit has been in the making for several Rod Scott of Selectronic and Luke Osborne of years but industry won’t have to wait too much Reposit. longer for the unveiling scheduled for later this year Shadow Environment Minister Mark Within the Industry and Policy streams Butler during his ‘solar walk-about’ (see full story on page 16). key themes emerged: along with the decline The Shadow Minister took a keen interest in many in residential installations, the expectations exhibitors and quizzed companies on their products surrounding the uptake of storage; and the and expectations for the future, while expressing strong support for the shortcomings of the National Electricity Market. With the federal budget renewable energy industry. He dropped in on Redback Technologies and federal election announced that same week, there was significant which was in full force at the show, launching its second generation focus on the commitment (or lack thereof) to renewable energy by political smart hybrid inverter and “new family” of grid tied inverters in front of parties. an interested gathering. The walk-about also took in Chinese renewables giant GCL SI that had flown a high level team into Melbourne for the Turning to some of the main messages global launch of the smart lithium-ion battery which brings the average delivered Australian one step closer to home storage (see pages 34-35). US based NEXTracker proudly displayed a model of its flexible tracking Ric Brazzale of Green Energy Trading identified the emergence of system that angles panels to maximum effect and is in use at the Moree the large-scale solar market in response to the high LGC price but said

ONE DELEGATE COMMENTED: “The event was not just about numbers, it was also the quality of content that counted. The speakers seemed really switched on about today’s market and in some cases spelt out what the future holds, which is important for my business decisions.”

Roger Burrell welcomed visitors to the Apricus stand policy uncertainty in areas of renewables and greenhouse gas emissions could continue to undermine investment. He illustrated the fall in demand for small-scale solar, a trend likely to continue unless policy support is introduced that focuses on new markets and addresses barriers. Warwick Johnston of SunWiz listed the likely causes of residential slowdown as the intensity of competition in the market and hesitation among consumers keeping an eye on storage affordability. Addressing the burning question ‘will batteries save us all’, Johnston says “Hype is more plentiful than sales” and “economics are still woefully inadequate in terms of the upfront price and long payback.” He cited figures that suggest only 55,000 households in Australia could receive a payback in less than eight years on a PV storage system, and of the eight in ten residential enquiries about batteries only two in 100 proceed. Those figures, he said, upstage the commercial sector in which none of the five in ten battery enquiries proceed to installation. ESC President Steve Blume agrees. “At the core are lots of expectations that are bubbling away in the industry and the question is not will they be realised but when? Not many businesses are selling much by way of battery and storage although some orders are being placed.”

Clean industry nemesis the NEM

Solar and Energy Storage Show: an all-round winner The solar and storage industry goes from strength to strength, and that was clearly reflected in the numbers that passed through the doors. Nearly 5000 delegates turned up to the two-day Solar and Energy Storage Show in early May at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. With additional floor space taken out to accommodate more industry exhibitors than ever before, the 2016 Show was the largest staged so far by the Solar Council and Energy Storage Council. However the 2017 Show promises to be bigger and better again, on the back of the much anticipated and rapid uptake of storage and the community’s thirst for clean energy and energy efficiency. The 2017 Show will showcase an even broader range of products and technical advances. Product launches, expert insights into industry and policy settings, professional development (with CPD points), networking and a few surprises are in store. Bookings for 2017 are moving quickly, 40 per cent of the floor plan, that is the exhibition space, is already sold or reserved. If you have not yet secured your presence, contact Brett Thompson on 0402 181 250 or email Brett@solar.org.au

Among the three speakers homing in on the shortcomings of the NEM was Nigel Morris who described it as “A network of broken, complicated old fashioned systems, perverse outcomes, staggering complexity, unfathomable conflicts of interest, loaded with arbitrary regulation, linked to state revenues, deincentivised to change.” He alluded to the utilities’ annual losses of $1 billion caused by rooftop PV and the anger among consumers and declared “The NEM is like the latest federal budget … transparent for what it really is, suspicious and utterly lacking in vision.” He then listed two likely scenarios: business as usual (bleak) and innovation accelerator trigger (upbeat, progressive, with increased transparency and investment in new network and retail models). For his part Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler who declared “Decarbonisation is the third pillar of electricity policy and we need a market

KEVIN DAVIES of SUNVERTEC explained: “The Solar and Energy Storage Show is the only way to reach everyone we want to in the industry – and in the masses! The event is incredibly useful, how can you put a value on it? It is the single most effective means of getting our name Sunvertec known to the industry and connecting with the business people we need to reach. During the two days we collected more than 100 business cards from interested people and are now busy following up all the new leads and contacts.”

CONFERENCE REPORT

STORAGE CONFERENCE STREAM Some of the key messages presented in the storage sessions are relayed in more detail as follows:

PAGE 24: Mark Byrne of the Total Environment Centre who addressed Networks & batteries: what’s best for consumers?’ PAGE 28: All Grid Energy’s Deborah Oberon ‘Creating Advanced Energy Independence for Remote Australian Communities’ and ‘Solar and Storage Business Model Innovation’. PAGE 30: IT Power on Early results of the Lithium-ion Battery Performance Trial PAGE 32: IT guru and RE advocate Phil Livingston of Redback Technologies spells out the imperative for disruption

Greens ambassador and Solar Council Patron Christine Milne was vocal in her condemnation of the NEM that accommodates the spread of renewable energy and a long-term framework to transition from coal fired power to renewable energy” promised a review of the NEM which in its current state restricts the growth of renewable energy because its design, rules and laws “pre-date the solar revolution and distributed generation”. “The NEM was built on twentieth century models that do not comprehend carbon emissions,” said Mark Butler whose party stands for a 50 per cent renewable energy target by 2030, which “sounds ambitious but is achievable.” Greens ambassador and Solar Council Patron Christine Milne was vocal in her condemnation of the NEM, the state governments’ cash cow “The NEM is broken and needs to be scrapped. It was designed to prop up last century’s power generators and is [therefore] propped up by last century’s thinking,“ she declared. Milne went on to remind delegates that the only reason the small-scale RET was not changed – the only reason – was because the Solar Council’s John Grimes and Wayne Smith went in to battle through the Save Solar campaign, heavily supported by astute members.

Renewables to boost jobs and growth With an eye on ‘Energy innovation and the new economy’ Solar Council Patron John Hewson listed a string of achievable and practical renewable industries from bio diesel to recycling and said “there are literally hundreds of opportunities for renewables businesses that bring all that government wants, that is jobs and growth; opportunities that have

The Solar Council wishes to acknowledge the valuable contributions of conference sponsors Solar Juice, GCL, Fronius, NEXTracker, Greenbank Environmental, Sunvertec, Redback Technologies and Enphase, and many more who helped make the Solar Energy Show the success it was in 2016. been lost over 30 years, but what we really need is a shift in thinking at the political level.”

Stamp of approval “This year’s conference and expo was our most successful to date,” said Solar Council chief executive John Grimes, “We had an additional bay and all the space was filled with exhibitors and attendees.” On big picture thinking he singled out a quote by Warren Buffet who has made billions by accurately preempting trends and declares “Energy deregulation will be the largest transfer of wealth in history.”

Keen to view conference presentations in more detail? All conference presentations are available for $121 including GST. Email admin@solar.org.au and a link will be sent enabling subscriber access.

ROD SCOTT of SELECTRONIC said: “We have already booked our space for the 2017 Show! It holds enormous value for

our brand. We used our tracker to scan attendees and the count came in at 199 but many went un-scanned so all up we reached hundreds of prospective industry partners. I also spoke across all three conference streams and reached hundreds more people in the process.” Rod added that the audience seems to differ from other shows and that “Many installers came from interstate and told us this is the only solar show they attend all year.”

July 2

renewables

and the path to

WHO PLEDGES WHAT Coalition

Labor

4 26-28% cut in emissions on

4 45% cut in emissions on 2005 4 63-82% cut in emissions on

2005 levels by 2030

Greens

levels by 2030

4 23% clean energy by 2020 4 Emissions Reductions Fund

2005 levels by 2030

4 >50% clean energy by 2030 4 Invest $206.6m in ARENA

(continued)

4 28% clean energy by 2020 and

4 >90% by 2030, toward plan

for CST funding

for 100% clean energy

4 Introduce two emissions trading schemes: electricity sector and large emitters

4 Battery storage rollout across Australia

4 Price on carbon and levy on coal exports

4 No new coal fired power stations or coal mines

Total new clean energy investment in Australia ($US million)

Number of PV systems installed in Australia

8000

400,000 6708

7000 5442

5336

250,000

5000

180,546

150,000 2968

3000

2555 1681

2000

200,366

198,263

200,000

4000

1000

343,198

300,000

5919

6000

360,304

350,000

877

1415

1488

2562

1660

2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Battery trend: Will it save us all? Asks SunWiz in its survey 80% of residential sales enquire about batteries; 2% proceed Typical commercial conversion rate: 20% (range 5% to 60%) 20% of commercial sales enquire about batteries but 0% proceed Commercial survey results: typical profit margin: 22% (range 15% to 30%) Time spent on proposal: 6 hours (15 minutes to 16 hours)

100,000

143,868

62,921

50,000 0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2015 figures were 60% lower than the peak of 2011. The bulk of installations were residential, the data includes commercial and system upgrades. Source: Green Energy Trading

Nigel Morris of RoofJuice on the Networks successful bid for higher prices

40 network lawyers vs 5 from AER

1.4 million pages of submissions

3 weeks of hearings

$ millions in legal costs

INNOVATION

Dynamic duo’s unique distributed inverter High achievers: The Sunvertec-designed Xenos is on track to become the most compact and most efficient distributed inverter available on the world market. Perth based industrious innovators Kevin and Alex Davies are now in the final stages of development, but took a few moments out of their hectic schedule to shed light on their hi-tech design as well as their expectations. D-DAY DRAWS CLOSER for Sunvertec’s Kevin Davies and his son Alex who have devoted more than five years to the development of Xenos, the compact yet 99 per cent efficient distributed inverter that will be a world first when it hits the market. The mini-but-mighty inverter is several steps closer to completion, with last minute fine-tuning underway to render the technology more manufacturable and to make it more powerful for end users. It has been a long and intense journey for the father and son team who have combined their complementary talents in engineering and IT and never wavered in their commitment or enthusiasm for the project. That energy was in full force at the Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition where their breakthrough innovation caught the attention of Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler and hundreds of prospective customers. “Our goal is to drive down the cost of solar energy conversion by making the systems more efficient and easier to install,” Kevin told Solar & Storage. “Ultimately, we’d like power conversion to be transparent to the end user. These devices will be so small and efficient that they can be built straight in to DC power sources for seamless AC for solar PV or energy storage applications.”

Tech specs Kevin recently unveiled the ‘secret’ behind Xenos, the 99 per cent efficient distributed inverter system, saying  ”We’d previously talked of “ramping” at each module. Although we couldn’t say it at the time, we were superseding this method of producing a grid-ready sine wave by developing a device that we’ve dubbed the ‘Distriverter’, enabling extremely low cost power conversion at efficiencies never before seen.” The module-level power electronics (MLPE) design features a string of inverter optimisers each supporting connection of up to four solar panels, with an inline distriverter with built-in isolation switch completing the system. Kevin emphasises the speed and ease of installation of Xenos for solar PV applications: a cordless drill will be all that’s needed to clamp each component of the system to solar panels. He foresees applications in solar farms worldwide, with the same hardware used on small-scale solar scalable to higher voltages and placed on longer strings for use on solar farms.

Market debut Sunvertec is now on track to launch Xenos onto the market later this year at which stage it will be presented as the world’s first commercially available distributed inverter, and hot on its heels will be its first cousin Sonex, leveraging the same technology for energy storage applications.

Covering all bases Sunvertec has stepped up to the challenge of multi-skilling to meet its targets; out of the design laboratory into capital raising; travelling overseas to find the best sources for supplies and equipment; and donning a real estate hat to purchase and install a new advanced manufacturing plant in Malaga, Perth. “We are now planning four more production lines around the end of this year to bring our likely annual capacity to somewhere over 500 MW,” said Kevin Davies who is gearing up to meet anticipated demand for the system. “We are in the process of building a demonstration system for all to see and probe, along with seeking regulatory approval for Australian use. All this could happen within the next six months provided we don’t meet any PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

roadblocks.” He added: “The day that the first Xenos distributed inverter rolls off the assembly line will be momentous for us, the fruition of a long held dream and countless hours of toil, though in many ways it really has been a labour of love. “Although we would like to take a short break once we are in production that is unlikely to happen as we share a drive toward The driving philosophy of Kevin and Alex Davies is to improve solar energy affordability for everyone and they have been working tirelessly over many years to realise that vision. At May’s Solar and Energy Storage Exhibition the Sunvertec stand attracted the interest of Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler – as well as hundreds of prospective customers.

16 WINTER 2016

continuous improvement, though I might just treat Alex and the rest of the crew to a beer to mark the occasion!” the tireless and aspirational innovator said. www.sunvertec.com

• Launch of Australian Battery Guide • ESC President Steve Blume’s market wrap • Selectronic’s SP PRO in the jungles of Borneo • Mark Byrne of TEC: Networks and batteries • Storage related product launches • AllGrid Energy: The Oasis Strategy • IT Power: establishing battery trials

Image courtesy Selectronic

• Phil Livingston: Building an equitable, clean and inspiring energy future

Founding members

Energy Storage Council update WITH THE RISE of the storage market and the amount of interest it is generating in all quarters, the Solar and Energy Storage Show

Platinum members

was a highlight on the ESC’s calendar. Over the two-day event more than 30 specialists in their respective fields addressed the gathering which at its peak attracted more than 200 delegates. Charlie Vest of China Energy Storage Alliance kicked off the day with a fascinating address on China’s storage market and Phil Livingston

Gold members

presented his views on market disruption in his keynote address (see page 32). On the following pages we relay more of the presentations including the early findings of the At the Solar and Energy Storage Show Charlie Vest of CNESA outlined China’s energy storage market

battery trials being conducted by IT Power. On page 30 Oliver Woldring also shares some of the unforeseen

Silver members

challenges in gathering data on

battery output and performance. The study is scheduled to run over 12 months and the outcomes will be of great interest as well as significance to this sector. Conference addresses are available for $121 including GST. Visit www.solar.org.au or email admin@solar.org.au

The Australian Battery Guide The Solar and Energy Storage Conference & Exhibition saw the launch of the Australian Battery Guide (v.9), which covers energy storage systems (sales, design installation and stewardship) and is presented in an easy-to-read format. Energy Storage Council chief executive John Grimes said “The industry is actively involved in creating ‘world’s best practice’ when it comes to producing, selling, using, recycling and disposing of energy storage products. Together we have Peter Cockburn compiled the Australian Battery Guide on behalf of the Energy Storage Council

a shared responsibility to manage energy storage products and materials to reduce their impact on the environment [and] the ESC saw it as our responsibility to put

in place an easy to digest battery guidelines battery standard that will help industry law makers and consumers.”

Bronze members

The guide ESC 5000.2016 (Release.9) was developed by the Energy Storage Council and is under review by ESC Members – all constructive feedback is welcomed. A more comprehensive version, Release 1.0, and applicable to all emerging ESS technologies, will be issued shortly. The Battery Guide is free of charge and available at http://www.energystorage.org.au/the-australian-battery-guide/ Feedback: ABGfeedback@energystorage.org.au

18 WINTER 2016

Amplitude Consultants BALM Electrical B&R Enclosures Cola Solar Crystal Solar Energy CSA Services DPA Solar Dynamic Solar EMSc Asia Pacific

Energy Analysis & Engineering Energy Invest Australia Enervision Australia EV Power Australia global-roam Governance Insight Green Sun Solar Greenlink Solar Grid Edge

I Want Energy Infinity Power K&L Gates Liberty Energy Lithium Battery Storage MO Energy MyPower MP Natural Solar Navitus Solar NewGen Solar

Off Grid Power Solutions QGE Radiant Energy Systems Renewable Energy Installations Reposit Power Solar Calculator Solar Hybrid Conversions Solar PV Commercial SolarIM

SolarQuotes Standard Solar Sunjuice Solar Towards Tomorrow Energy Tranter Engineering Tropical Energy Solutions Velocity Energy Wayne Kaufline ZAPD Energy Zest Energy

More than half your yearly diesel fits in this box. Diesel delivered to site is pricey stuff. After 18 months on a diesel-powered site, our UltraFlex energy storage solution (like the one above) achieved a 55% fuel reduction for our industrial client. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also reduced generator run-time on a diesel/renewable microgrid from hours per day down to pretty close to nothing. (The generator ran for half an hour last quarter).

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ESC President Steve Blume identifies higher fixed access charges as a barrier to the purchase of energy storage systems, but says progress on the front of smart grid software and associated devices, along with market reforms will deliver a better deal for consumers.

Energy Storage Systems AS ANY VISITOR to our recent Solar and Energy Storage exhibition and conference will have discovered, energy storage systems (ESSs) are the current big thing in renewable energy. We are seeing in Australia and around the world a massive growth in storage technologies especially those based on lithium ion chemistries, but many others too. Consumers everywhere have the added incentive of seeking some control over generating electricity and using it at a time that suits them. A major driver in New South Wales and some other states are the end of generous feed-in tariffs and the prospect of being paid six cents a kilowatt hour or less to export energy which is then perceived as being sold at 25c kWh or more. Even those with solar systems and no feed-in tariff like the idea of being able to store power they canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t use during the day when they are not at home so they can use it in the afternoon and evening when they are home. These are sensible and logical views, but there are a few common myths.

One of the myths is that installing an energy storage system at a grid connected urban residence will offer independence in the case of blackouts or power outages and allow the householder to continue to operate when weather events, which cause around 75 per cent of all outages, leave them without power. That can be done, but given the high reliability and security of supply for those connected to Australian grids this insurance cost is likely to be too high to buy an energy storage system for that purpose. Another myth is that the homeowner can go off grid by installing an ESS. Again this is technically possible, but the costs and the risks of doing so right now are too high for most users. In this myth is often a lack of understanding of how much energy the consumer uses and especially when and how they use it. There are other common myths on energy storage systems and why they should be bought and installed but the reality right now is simple. An energy storage system can increase the level of self consumption therefore reducing the amount of energy you need to buy from the grid and increasing the efficiency of your solar system by storing excess power

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Energy Storage Council is taking the lead for consumers by creating and promulgating a set of tools to ensure safety and quality of products and installations and to provide means to reduce risks as the industry moves to create formal standards.â&#x20AC;?

20 WINTER 2016

PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

Myths versus realities

during the day and releasing it at the time when it is most needed in the afternoon peak.

Storage developments The choices are varied and increase weekly. The energy market in a very short time will reward ESS owners for the value they can provide to the grid. Right now the cost structures, such as increasing fixed access charges, are barriers to the purchase of an energy storage system. These are temporary with much work being done especially in smart grid software and associated devices, and market reforms that will mean a better deal for consumers. These reforms will still allow the various existing players such as electricity transmission and distribution companies, large-scale generators and the retailers to identify the services that will be profitable for them and to move their businesses in that direction. In all of this the Energy Storage Council is taking the lead for consumers by creating and promulgating a set of tools to ensure safety and quality of products and installations and to provide means to reduce risks as the industry moves to create formal standards. Steve Blume is President of the Energy Storage Council and Australian Solar Council; Director, Global Solar Council; and Treasurer, NZ Pacific Solar & Storage Council.

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Off-grid in Indonesia Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a solar and storage installation with a difference â&#x20AC;Ś one that involved a remote part of the jungles of Borneo which presented more than a few challenges, says Selectronic which supplied its SP PROs Inverter.

System Components and Operation Inverter: 3 x 15 kW, 120V SP PROs (SPLC 1200) 50 kW SolarArray Solar controller: AC Coupled is performed by 5 x KACO Powador 9600, 8 kW grid-tie inverters. A communications cable provides signals from the SP PRO inverter to control the amount of solar energy being produced by the KACO; 100 different power levels are possible. Batteries: 650 kWh, 120 V Sealed Lead Acid batteries Generator: 2 x 100 kVa diesel generators The SP PRO is used to ensure the batteries are never run down or the inverter is overloaded by running the generator as required.

The brief: to design and build an off-grid solar and storage system at Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge which perches on the banks of the Sekonyer River in a remote part of the jungle in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. The Ecolodge: The Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge provides a unique eco tourism experience for guests. The lodge provides a base to explore the surrounding rainforest and the nearby Tanjung Puting National Park, one of the last remaining places to view orangutans and many other unique fauna and flora in their natural environment. The mission: The company that runs the lodge has its own Eco Certification System and wanted to boost its sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, hence the brief to Solar Power Indonesia to decrease their reliance on diesel generators for electricity generation for the lodge that is not connected to the national electricity grid.

Challenges The main challenge with this installation was the remote location; all components had to be shipped by boat from Bali to the port of Kumai in Central Kalimantan and then a further two hours up the Sekonyer River to the Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge. The local macaque monkeys were fascinated with the new shiny solar panels and it was feared that they would damage the solar array. The solution was to install a low voltage protective electric fence around the solar array to deter the curious local inhabitants.

22 WINTER 2016

Another consideration was its proximity to the river; the timber lodge is built in a series of adjoining elevated pavilions to avoid flooding from the tidal river. Housing the battery bank was a challenge; a metal bracing structure was purpose-built to disperse the weight of the batteries and to raise them off the floor in order to protect them from tidal inundation.

Outcomes and Benefits The Rimba Orangutan Ecolodge is extremely pleased with its new solar power system and can boast on the website www.rimbaecolodge.com they are now more than 90 per cent solar powered. The system is monitored from Bali and Australia and system adjustments can be carried out remotely. Since the system has been installed electricity is now available at the lodge 24/7 and generator run time has reduced by 90 per cent. Solar Power Indonesia (www.solarpowerindonesia.com) Selectronic Australia (www.selectronic.com.au)

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Electromobility Charging station in infastructure

Off-grid system Private Consumer, Solarpower plant

Telecom Radio & Telecomunications, Cellular phone stations

7UDIÄ&#x; F 7HFKQRORJ\

5HJXODWLQJ V\VWHPV 7UDIĹ° F OLJKWV (PHUJHQF\ FDOO stations

Information/Advertising Illuminated posters, Rotary displays, Prism reverser

Back-Up & Critical power Uninterupted power supply

Time to holler for a Marshall? At the Solar and Energy Storage Conference in early May Mark Byrne of the Total Environment Centre addressed the popular topic ‘Networks and batteries: What’s best for consumers?’ Here Mark elaborates on the topic that is forefront of people’s minds.

IT’S A CLICHÉ, but the Australian energy storage market is a bit of a Wild West at the moment. Makers, suppliers, retailers and electricity networks are all out there on the frontier, staking their claims to a share of the action as they promise energy independence, lower bills and shiny new gizmos. Regulators are like the sheriffs riding along behind, trying to develop safety, installation and consumer protection standards before anyone gets seriously hurt. It’s nobody’s fault. Australia, we are told, is the guinea pig in terms of the widespread rollout of this new market, thanks mostly to lots of existing PV systems and high electricity prices. And while they probably only make economic sense at the moment for businesses seeking to reduce their peak loads, batteries offer so many value streams that, as volumes ramp up and prices drop, they are set to transform our energy landscape. The Total Environment Centre supports this development because of the critical role that storage is likely to play in the shift to a decentralised energy system based primarily on renewable energy, and the importance of this shift in reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector, the largest source of emissions in Australia.

The future of battery power is being shaped today by different forces, and few would disagree with Mark Byrne of the Total Environment Centre who suggests batteries will trigger a fundamental shift in the way energy is generated, stored and sold and will prompt wholesale market reform.

Yet this is where policy geeks like me jump in and say, “Whoa there! Hold your horses!” The thing about land grabs is that the second wave of migrants often ends up paying inflated prices. The second biggest cause of the massive price rises for electricity between 2009-2014 (after inflated rates of return) was overinvestment in poles, wires and substations by networks taking advantage of lax regulation throughout the national market and overly stringent reliability standards in NSW and Queensland. We need to avoid a similar scenario unfolding in the next five or ten years thanks to a burgeoning and under-regulated storage market. It has been an article of faith among policy makers and regulators ever since the Hilmer review in 1993 that competition is more likely to benefit consumers than monopoly control of an industry. Yet the monopoly networks are engaged in a massive effort to get into the battery market on both sides of the customer’s meter. At last count there were more than 20 such projects happening around Australia, ranging from small singlestreet trials of 6 kWh batteries to reduce peak evening demand though to megawatt scale units serving whole towns – and with an increasing number of microgrid trials in between.

“There will be a raft of reviews and reforms over the next two years to

PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

Overinvestment in infrastructure

What’s wrong with that? Nothing, in some ways. Networks know their existing kit and its limitations, so they should know where and when installing batteries makes sense. And if they are investing in batteries as a cheaper alternative to more poles and wires, that’s a good thing. The trouble is, on the grid side they can add batteries to their asset bases with little regulatory oversight if they cost less than $5 million. But consumers could end up paying them off for them for a decade or two to come, and if there is no competition and little oversight, how do we know we are getting good value?

try to sort out some of these [critical

Controlling forces

network and battery storage] issues.”

The problem is even more acute behind the meter. There are concerns – which may be well founded, given the way some networks seem to have tried to stymy the export to the grid of rooftop solar – that networks

24 WINTER 2016

 Generate

 Use

 Store

Export

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may find ways to give their retail businesses advantages over their retail competitors, especially through how they set and implement connection standards, information and timing. There is also the issue of control. If you buy a battery from a network, will it also control it? (Not that this is necessarily a bad thing: Energex’s direct load control of air-conditioners reduces peak demand and save consumers money. But prior informed consent, not to mention energy literate consumers, are a must.) There will be a raft of reviews and reforms over the next two years to try to sort out some of these issues. First horse to bolt is the Australian Energy Regulator’s ring-fencing review, which aims to create effectively separate a network’s monopoly poles and wires business from its unregulated or

“Competition is more likely to benefit consumers than monopoly control of an industry. Yet the monopoly networks are engaged in a massive effort to get into the battery market on both sides of the customer’s meter.”

competitive retail arm, to avoid anti-competitive behaviour. TEC and some other consumer groups are sceptical, though, that ring-fencing can work.

Building a competitive market We would prefer to see a battery market open to competition on both sides of the meter, and for networks to buy the services provided by batteries and other new products and services like smart meters from third parties through competitive tenders (as operating rather than capital expenditure). Networks could still compete if they set up structurally separate companies to prevent any perceived or actual collusion – a big step beyond the “half-pregnant” separation of ring-fencing. Generally speaking, regulators are trying to squeeze batteries into the existing rules as much as possible – for instance, by treating them as no more than a combination of load at one point in time and by generation (or dispatch) at another. I suspect that in the long run, though, batteries will represent such a fundamental shift to the way we generate, store and sell energy that the rules will need wholesale reform to accommodate them – as effectively a new part of the supply chain. Which may not be a bad thing. New territory, new rules, right? Mark Byrne (markb@tec.org.au) is energy market advocate at the Total Environment Centre and the recipient of a current grant from Energy Consumers Australia titled Networks + batteries: What’s best for consumers? www.tec.org.au

Storage market offerings: gathering pace Here we present a quick summary of some of the new offerings on the storage market from Redback, GCL, Enphase and Redflow. Brisbane-based Redback Technologies recently launched its secondgeneration smart hybrid inverter and “new family” of grid tied inverters. Redback founder and MD Phil Livingston explained the Single and 3-Phase Grid Tie Family and the Generation II Hybrid solar inverters make use of the Internet of Things and cloud technology to give household and commercial users more options. And that, he says, is all part of the plan to enable more household and commercial users to self-consume more of their on-site generated power, achieving greater savings in the process. He cast the move as “Our step forward … the software functionality will revolutionise and popularise the industry by improving the pay back from solar panels and helping to reduce reliance on fossil based fuels.” Chinese renewables giant GCL SI recently launched its smart lightweight lithium-ion battery housed in a range of colours to blend in with any home décor. The E-KwBe is available in two sizes, 2.5 kWh which weighs in at 25 kg and the larger capacity 5.6 kWh (45 kilograms). Units are available through OneStopWarehouse at a price point that brings the average Australian one step closer to home storage (see pages 34-35 for more details). Installers can now place orders for the Enphase AC Battery which features Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry and is marketed as “suitable for any home regardless of the brand of inverters or solar panels used.” Available through AC Solar Warehouse, OneStopWarehouse, RFI,

26 WINTER 2016

Solar + Solutions and SunEdison as well as Solar Partners NZ and YHI in New Zealand, the first shipment should land in Australia in August 2016. Enphase anticipates initial demand will be driven by installers looking to retrofit existing residential solar PV systems. Soon hitting the market too is Brisbane based Redflow’s new residential energy battery system the ZCell which includes a battery that can store up to 10 kWh of energy.

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AllGrid Energy: Landscaping an Oasis AllGrid Energy has fast gained a reputation in the energy storage sector and has now developed a vision for a better future for Indigenous communities through the Oasis Strategy. Energy self-sufficiency is the building block of the collaboration that will deliver the full gamut of technology that underpins independence and progression, writes Marketing and Alliance Manager Deborah Oberon. In the face of pressing problems – energy and economic poverty, social health problems, loss of young people – Indigenous people and Elders are increasingly identifying that renewable technologies can create energy freedom which may have the capacity to facilitate a return to self-sufficiency. Energy independence is enormously important, and AllGrid Energy is installing its solar and storage solutions in a number of communities, with feasibility studies completed in others. The program is driven by AllGrid Energy founder and chief executive Ray Pratt, who has gained a reputation as a man not just with a vision but also the ability to drive advances through technology and partnerships. Ray identifies that energy independence goes beyond [having] a renewable power supply, to the ability to maintain that power supply, therefore AllGrid’s business model encompasses training and up-skilling programs for local people. “We want to complement this through flexible and intelligent funding platforms that will ultimately Deborah Oberon of AllGrid Energy presenting The Oasis Strategy at the Solar and Energy Storage Conference in early May. transfer ownership of these systems to the communities themselves,” he says. The Oasis Strategy “Collaboration is our strength, and now, through our networks and alliances we are co-developing The Oasis Strategy which will be designed Why the name? An oasis is a source of abundance in a desert of to deliver the essential bio-systems of life through renewable and biodepletion. technologies to remote and regional communities.” The seven key renewable and bio-technology systems include: energy,

AllGrid Energy’s Ray Pratt and Deborah Oberon

water, food, shelter, bio fuel, medical and communications. Energy provides a vital first intervention upon which all other services flow. We already have the ability to provide power, shelter, fuel and communications in a box. And through the delivery of renewable power supplies and bio-technologies, we can facilitate the development of systems that deliver water and food security and localised income generating opportunities. Through new employment and enterprise opportunities regional and remote communities will have the opportunity to regenerate and to thrive. Through our many alliances with companies and governments across the world we can introduce products and services to deliver: communications, clean drinking water, low cost flat pack housing, multi feed bio-diesel systems, cold tar, and training programs that lead to jobs.

“Energy independence is enormously important [and] AllGrid Energy understands that true independence can only be delivered through selfsufficiency and self determination.”

A great example of the flow-on effects of the Oasis Strategy can be demonstrated with a technology like small-scale bio-diesel production units.

Phase Two A community can be provided with just such a unit through lowinterest funding. Drought resistant high yield crops can be grown using waste-water from mining processes and recycled water from the communities. Bio-diesel can then be sold as a commodity. One of these types of units produces 2.5 million litres of fuel generating $2.5 million of turnover. The land needs to be worked, young people can find meaning and purpose and a community gets the opportunity to re-generate. At AllGrid Energy what we understand is that true independence can only be delivered through self-sufficiency and self determination, and we are actively seeking to work with Indigenous groups and corporations to introduce not only energy independence, but new products and services, and in some cases, entire new industries to the Australian market. This we want to do through Australia’s First Nations. These products and services can lead to economic epicentres that will enable people to work back on country and receive a true hand up rather than a hand out.

Genesis AllGrid Energy is a Brisbane-based, indigenous-owned renewable technology company that last year introduced its Australian-made battery storage device the WattGrid 10. Coupled with a 4 kW solar system WattGrid enable homeowners to self-consume 17 kWh daily. AllGrid is also the developer of PortaGrids: plug-and-play, portable solar-plus-storage devices for remote areas that are part of AllGrid’s goal to bring cost-effective energy independence to Australia. AllGrid founder Ray Pratt is a Western Arrente man who launched his first electrical contracting company more than a decade ago working primarily in far remote Indigenous communities. One of his main tasks was to reinstate power supplies for people, he says, living in third world conditions and experiencing real energy poverty. Fast-forward to early 2016 when AllGrid technology caught the attention of David Suzuki after Ray Pratt delivered a keynote address at the First Nations conference in Vancouver, Canada. Suzuki subsequently penned a comprehensive newspaper feature on the importance – and impact – of AllGrid energy solutions within indigenous communities. Pratt says: “Throughout history great change has to start somewhere, and requires collaboration, alliances, networks of integrity, belief, and support by the few with vision and determination to see it through … we can change the world one step at a time.”

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Lithium-ion battery performance test The IT Power battery testing trials will soon be underway, but here senior consultant Oliver Woldring outlines some of the experiences encountered in the process of installing and commissioning the trial. ITP RENEWABLES (ITP) has been using battery energy storage to optimise the design of remote photovoltaic (PV) diesel hybrid mini grids around the world for 35 years. We use batteries for a range of purposes: in small installations they are used for maintaining power quality while in larger installations batteries are used for peak-shaving and ultimately bulk energy storage. For decades lead-acid technologies have been the industry standard, but numerous competing energy storage technologies are now appearing on the market, in particular lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion battery manufacturers claim their technology has a number of benefits compared to lead-acid batteries. These include: • higher efficiency – a typical lead-acid battery will deliver 75-80 per cent of the energy that was input during charging, compared to around 95 per cent for a lithium-ion battery • that they can be discharged further; lead-acid batteries should not be regularly discharged more than 30 per cent, compared to 80 per cent for lithium-ion batteries • longer lifetimes (measured in charge / discharge cycles) • greater tolerance to high temperature environments than lead-acid batteries • lower risk of gas explosions, since no hydrogen is produced While lithium-ion batteries currently have a higher upfront capital cost than lead-acid technology, our analysis indicates that the claims of longer battery lifetime and better performance in hot conditions result in lower overall project costs, and therefore a lower system levelised cost of energy. Furthermore, the capital cost of lithium-ion technology is widely expected to decrease as production volume increases. Lead-acid battery technology by contrast is a mature technology with relatively stable prices.

New technologies A significant barrier, however, is that energy system designers and endusers are reluctant to transition to new technologies. This is especially the case for remote applications, where reliability is critical. In part this reluctance is due to uncertainty over manufacturers’ claims, which often rely on lab-based tests and lack independent verification. To reduce this uncertainty ITP has developed a three-year lithium-ion battery performance test. The testing will take place at the Canberra Institute of Technology and is supported by a $450,000 grant from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

The project aims to provide investor information and confidence by independently assessing the performance of six major lithium-ion battery brands, an ‘advanced’ lead-acid battery and a conventional lead-acid battery side by side. The batteries will be tested in hot daytime and cool overnight temperatures similar to what they would be expected to face in real-world conditions. Each battery will be cycled (charged and discharged) several times per day, albeit within the manufacturers’ specifications, and testing will measure the batteries’ decrease in storage capacity over time.

Lessons learnt The testing regime is due to start any day, with only minor communications issues remaining to be resolved, but the process of installing and commissioning the trial has already taught us many lessons. These include: • That battery and inverter product development is very rapid, with new and improved models being released frequently. Long-term support of outdated models may well become a future challenge. • Standardisation of communications protocols between battery management systems and inverters to reduce the need for engineering support for installers is urgently required. Ideally battery packs would be “plug-and-play” but currently many require time consuming tinkering. • Acquiring engineering support is difficult. Sales staff in Australia frequently lack technical knowledge, particularly with regards to product compatibility and communications. ITP has been given many promises that suppliers were ultimately unable to keep. Frequently we have had to pose technical queries directly to equipment manufacturers; however, many do not have well established systems for supporting end-users directly and language barriers were often significant. • Many batteries operate at higher voltages which makes them incompatible with the majority of the battery inverters on the market. We have observed that inverter manufacturers are developing products that will work with higher voltage batteries and that product interoperability generally is improving slowly, but challenges remain. • Safety standards are lagging, although Standards Australia is aware of the problem and is working on updates. • The National Construction Code mandates a two-hour fire rated enclosure for batteries above 24 V and 10 Ah. As our test centre is in a commercial building we had to get a certified enclosure. Ultimately is was more cost effective to have the battery enclosure custom-built from concrete blocks rather than buying one off the shelf. Live results and further detail about the Performance Test are published at http://batterytestcentre.com.au/

“Standardisation of communications protocols between battery management systems and inverters to reduce the need for engineering support for installers is urgently required.” 30 WINTER 2016

Disruptive technology for future sustainability Redback Technologies founder and Managing Director Phil Livingston has a vision for a much smarter cleaner future. Here he shares his thoughts on what needs fixing and offers some solutions while also shedding light on his company’s advanced technology.

THE AUSTRALIAN ELECTRICITY transmission and distribution system is old and antiquated. Initially devised in the 1920s, generators supply power through a centralised system of poles and wires, carrying power from its point of generation to the extremities of the grid to service societies energy requirements. The system is inefficient, carbon intensive, expensive to maintain, and thus is no longer a satisfactory means of national energy supply. Alike with the contrast of the telegraph being rendered obsolete by the cloud enabled smart phone, so too is Australia’s energy system of the 1920s no longer the optimal choice for maximum consumer benefit. A changing consumer demographic requires low-cost carbon free energy choices. According to the Australian Solar Council, 91 per cent of consumers polled noted preferences towards carbon free energy over fossil generation.

Seeking rationality With the threat that climate change poses on the survivability of future generations, it is unacceptable that today’s government regulated energy systems are devoid of rational low-cost clean energy choices. The very existence of the regulated (rate payer funded) centralised transmission and distribution systems, by their nature, distorts free-market competition between centralised generation and distributed generation technologies. Market reform, incorporating the negative externalities associated with carbon generation, is required to level the playing field between clean and dirty energy.

Low cost distributed clean energy At Redback, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to solve the problem of how to produce low-cost distributed clean energy. Redback’s system provides consumers with the ability to optimise their self-consumption of solar

generation through the smart control of appliances and energy storage. Increased self-consumption of solar generated electricity provides a commensurate reduction in the consumption of fossil-generated energy. With a properly sized Redback system enabled, the average consumer should consume less than 40 per cent of their energy from traditional power. As batteries continue to reduce in price, this percentage will reduce further over time. In the near future, Redback will enable peer-to-peer trading capabilities for the creation of localised trading of electricity.

Grid stability services Redback systems will also have income generation functionalities for consumer-purchased systems, with Uber-like capabilities for energy retailers and distributed network service providers. This will allow the use of systems to provide grid stability services, demand reduction and backup capacity. Peer-to-peer trading and the provision of grid services, will further decarbonise the grid, while disrupting the energy generation industry and forcing optimal outcomes. As consumers, we need to support the change we wish to see in the world. It is not simply enough to blame government for a lack of clear policy. Energy democratisation starts with grass roots consumers, voting with their dollars to demand change. Join us in disrupting the way society consumes energy. Let’s build an energy future for future generations that’s equitable, clean and inspiring.

“The [electricity transmission and distribution] system is inefficient, carbon intensive, expensive to maintain, and no longer a satisfactory means of national energy supply... Join us in disrupting the way society consumes energy. Let’s build an energy future for future generations that’s equitable, clean and inspiring.”

32 WINTER 2016

Phil Livingston of Redback Technologies www.redbacktech.com.au

May Day: Solar Water Heating It is not long since Australian Standards dropped a bombshell by announcing changes to building standards requiring all new rooftop solar hot water systems to face no more that 45 degrees east or west of true north. WITH LIMITED INDUSTRY CONSULTATION the new hot water standards which

don’t have framing systems for that. Some companies with that technology

came into effect on May 1 caught many by surprise, including Solar

will struggle with the new requirements.”

Council chief executive John Grimes who says as many as one in three

Where to from here? Because retrofits will not comply with the new

homes wanting solar hot water do not have north-facing rooftops. Many

regulations plumbing inspectors could demand removal, also the Clean

rooftop solar water heating systems face east or west and can operate at

Energy Regulator, says Chris Taylor, could deny STCs to systems that don’t

between 80 and 90 per cent efficiency at such orientation – so why the

meet the plumbing code. He added that many plumbers may be caught

stipulation?

short, not knowing about the standard and having already laid down lines

Chris Taylor of Apricus says despite calls for a moratorium allowing proper consultation and discussions over the implications to the solar water heating sector, nothing had changed since May 1 and that the revised regulations remained in place. However the changes will not affect his company Apricus because it specialises in evacuated tube systems. Speaking to Solar & Storage Chris Taylor said “For us at Apricus there is

on rooftops in preparation for system installations. Whether dispensation will be granted for SWH system installations commenced prior to May 1 remains to be seen but the school of thought appears to be not, on the basis the system will not be STC compliant.

Market flows The SWH market has ebbed and flowed in recent years, with sales peaking at 200,000 units a year in 2010 before falling to around

little impact due to our design flexibility that caters for all orientations, we

50,000 last year. Green Energy Markets data released in April showed a

can reverse pitch to the side and to face north using evacuated tubes. That

significant surge of 18 per cent during April (on the previous month) to

is due to our cross-pitch frames. So if a roof is tilted any way other than

5670 installations, pinpointing much of the activity to Victoria where the

north we can still accommodate a north facing system.”

number of systems was up by a significant 75 per cent on March figures.

However issues will arise on the more often seen flat-plate and thermosyphon systems because most cannot be ’reverse pitched’. “They

By contrast each of NSW, Queensland, WA and Tasmania recorded falls in installations.

Solar & Storage 33

PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

GCL’s storage debut

James Hu, Vice President of GCL, speaks at the Solar and Storage conference in early May. Background image: GCL’s 20 MW plant at Xuzhou

Chinese solar giant GCL Poly which is billed the world’s largest renewable energy manufacturer chose to launch its lightweight home storage battery at the Solar Council’s annual show in Melbourne in early May. Here we find out more about the quiet yet high-achiever that is now bringing storage to the masses. CHINESE RENEWABLES GIANT GCL featured prominently at this year’s Solar and Energy Storage Show on several fronts. Its centrally located display became a magnet for conference goers, and in conference sessions Vice President James Hu addressed hundreds of delegates. The big-ticket attraction, however, was the unveiling of GCL’s smart and stylish lithium ion battery, which catapults the company to the forefront of the storage revolution and affirms its commitment to bring green power to life. In front of an enthralled crowd, GCL SI Chairman Shu Hua launched the battery the E-KwBe which is available in two sizes, 2.5 kWh which weighs in at 25 kg and the larger capacity 5.6 kWh (45 kilograms). And in what has been described as a particularly inspired marketing strategy, the wall mounted batteries are available in a choice of six colours. The price point of the high energy density lightweight battery has also caught the attention of installers who say GCL’s move into the market will hasten mass adoption of storage.

Sights on Australia During an interview with Solar & Storage, GCL Chairman Shu Hua explained the choice of location for the launch, saying “Australia is a leading PV market and sits in the world’s top five storage markets. It now has a mature market mechanism characterised by low installation costs with stable market demand. For all these reasons Australia has been identified as a very important target market for GCL SI. That is why we selected Australia for our storage product launch.”

34 WINTER 2016

With a commitment to “bringing green power to life” multi award winning clean tech giant GCL strives to be the most respected international clean energy group, says Chairman Shu Hua PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

The Chairman describes clean affordable energy as pivotal to a clean healthy future and pointed to 2016 to 2018 projections in which Australia’s new residential and commercial storage projects are expected to double annually, taking the distributed storage market installed capacity from less than 3 MW (at the end of 2015) to 200 MW with electricity storage of 250 MW/h. “By 2018, about thirty thousand Australian households will have PV energy storage systems, PV power generation capacity will increase [and] GCL SI is keen to play its part in promoting storage systems in Australia and around the globe.” Speaking through an interpreter, he added GCL’s desire to establish even closer cooperation with their Australian PV industry colleagues, “to jointly develop the Australian PV market and to contribute to the prosperity of the Australian PV market.”

Widespread appeal By midday on day two of the Solar Show GCL staff had been inundated with queries about the E-KwBe and received numerous orders indicating they had indeed hit a sweet spot in the market. One installer commented “GCL’s battery instantly competes with all others and makes storage much more affordable”. He suggested it slashes payback from 12 years to around six years and becomes “a new reference for energy storage pricing in Australia”. Others say GCL disrupts the market and brings storage within reach of many more homeowners who, it has been much stated over the past 18 months, are keen as mustard for energy independence. The first installation of GCL’s home battery is anticipated to be in July.

To market OneStopWarehouse is the official distributor in Australia and earlier this year GCL invested several million dollars to acquire a 51 per cent share of the Perth based wholesaler which has since opened premises in Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane to secure a presence on the eastern seaboard.

PHOTO: ADRIENNE BIZZARRI

Size and might

Batteries, the missing link: GCL SI has cemented its role at the forefront of the renewables sector. “Working with OneStopWarehouse can be considered as an important step to our international business prospects,” said Shu Hua who explained the force underpinning the move into the storage market is to enable as many people as possible to take advantage of a cost effective product that helps deliver [greater amounts of] efficient clean energy, “which will contribute to environmental improvements and at the same time improve the lives of all human beings.” He briefly touched on China’s Green Towns strategy which embraces a comprehensive clean energy concept. “The best value derives from affordable clean energy for each household,” he said. For the present energy storage in China is centred on large-scale solar projects and in agriculture. Rooftop PV (on which home storage relies) is in the early stages in China.

Despite the high-profile presence of Golden Concord Holdings Ltd at this year’s Solar and Energy Storage Show, there is a touch of quiet achiever to GCL which was founded in 1990 and is today China’s largest non-state-owned energy holdings company. GCL is the world’s largest PV material manufacturer, producing 30 per cent of the market’s silicon and 35 per cent of wafers that supply large module makers Yingli, Trina, Jinko, JA Solar, Hareon Solar among others. GCL is also a major developer of solar farms and the name behind the 100 MW plant at Ningxia where the solar panel array stretches out to the horizon. During 2015 the vertically integrated entity shipped more than 2.5 GW of modules, and will boast a production capacity of more than 6 GW by the end of 2016, including full automotive lines. Global assets amount to around $US16 billion and the company employs 20,000 staff worldwide. GCL SI is optimistic over the prospects for energy storage system development and boasts a “strong independent technology research and development team” that is supported through significant investment in resources. The company is currently expanding into new markets in Japan, India and the United States; building factories in India and Brazil, and establishing offices in Latin America and Europe.

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INDUSTRY ETHICS

Ethics and leadership – a personal story Formed back in 2003, Greenbank Environmental was one of the first creators of renewable energy certificates and has played a leading role educating the industry. More recently Greenbank took on the role of industry guardian when hundreds of counterfeit panels were detected on rooftops in Australia, as Fiona O’Hehir explains here.

MORE THAN 13 YEARS AGO when I established Greenbank Environmental, no one in the solar industry – grid-connect or standalone systems – created their renewable energy certificates. Since then Greenbank has effectively educated a whole industry about their right to create RECs for the installation of their system and their contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases. Over the years we have developed systems, processes and even software to maintain a strong compliance scheme and we believe we have a great track record. But mid last year, after an investigation by the Clean Energy Regulator into a relatively large solar retailer, it was discovered that more than 1,000 non-genuine solar panels had been installed at 182 sites across Australia. Although Greenbank was not associated with the installation of the non-genuine panels, we did create the renewable energy certificates for the retailer that imported the intentionally counterfeit panels. The installations had occurred in 2013, some two years previous.

“At Greenbank, we took the long view in the interest of the clients and the

The Clean Energy Regulator found the creation of certificates to be improper and we were required to surrender 14,401 certificates – at a cost of over $600,000.

Non-genuine panels As happens so conveniently in this country, the solar retailing company went into administration and left Greenbank holding the mess. Although we could have easily walked away, surrendered the renewable energy certificates to the regulator and left the problem to others, that is not Greenbank’s way. We have agreed to replace all of the non-genuine solar panels at Greenbank’s expense (almost $1 million) to ensure that the families and businesses that invested in solar got what they paid for. I have personally spoken to every one of the families and businesses impacted by this mess, including a lot of pensioners who were deliberately targeted. It has been a very big job, but we have been overwhelmed by the response from the solar industry and from affected customers which is heartening. Expensive but heartening.

Poor treatment

Most people wanted to tell me their cranky story – about the solar company, how they had been poorly treated and left hung out to dry with no feed-in tariff as promised. It was actually the $0.30c feed-in tariff debt to the solar industry.” that made the solar installation viable and they felt cheated that in most cases they did not get any assistance from the energy companies or the company that went under. To deal with the magnitude of sites we created a special website www.replacemypanels.com.au and a video to again explain how this had occurred, also showing how Greenbank was providing a solution to the problem. Clients could register all their details on the website, so we could start planning the rollout. People have really appreciated that we are providing a solution. That is probably not surprising when you consider that clients are getting brand new, genuine solar panels and a 25-year warranty at no additional cost but we have worked hard to make the situation as stress-free as possible. At the time of writing, Greenbank’s solar panel replacement program was about to begin, starting on the central coast of NSW and The Greenbank Environmental team staged a strong presence at the Solar and Energy Storage Show. working through regional NSW and Queensland Soon after the photo was taken chief executive Fiona O’Hehir (pictured centre) who is a long term and staunch supporter of the renewables industry was inducted into the Solar Council’s Hall of Fame. with the rollout taking just over three months.

industry, refusing to leave this ugly

36 WINTER 2016

Good corporate citizens At Greenbank, we took the long view in the interest of the clients and the industry, refusing to leave this ugly debt to the solar industry. This is our industry, our business and our future. We want to be seen as a good corporate citizen. I do think this is an important case study in how to deal with a significant challenge facing a business and how to respond ethically to a dodgy situation. We know Australians love solar and we know we need to work hard to maintain people’s trust. A 2013 poll by Crosby Textor found 82 per cent of respondents were favourable towards solar panels and 78 per cent favourable to renewable energy. Only 17 per cent were favourable to energy companies. My best guess is that an opinion poll today would still show high levels of support for solar, but it would have dropped from these levels following some of these personal experiences thrust upon consumers. We all know there have been dodgy operators in the solar industry. There are, unfortunately, in any big industry. Most, but not all, of those dodgy operators have been weeded out. But we have had some terrible experiences: • We’ve had counterfeit solar panels • We’ve had unsafe and dangerous installations • We’ve had product failures and recalls and DC isolators remain an issue for the industry; and

• We’ve had companies go into administration, creating their own set of problems. There are good people, good companies and good organisations in the solar industry but we need more active and prominent leadership if we want to maintain public trust in solar and grow the industry.

Instilling community trust It is all about trust and leadership. Australians are sick of the decline in ethical standards, whether that’s in government, business, sport or our institutions. There is an interesting dynamic happening, almost a corruption crisis, every day: the VW, Mitsubishi emissions scandal; Panama Papers revealing mass tax evasion; sports doping; calls for a royal commission into banking; child sex abuse; the list goes on and on. Trust in government, media, business and non-government organisations is below 50 per cent in Australia. There are implications here for the solar industry. If we want to stay ahead of the fray and maintain the 78 per cent favourable goodwill towards renewables, we simply have to lift our game. Fiona O’Hehir established Greenbank Environmental in 2003 and has managed the family-owned and run company ever since. In 2016, Fiona was inducted into the Australian Solar Council’s Solar Hall of Fame for services to the solar industry. www.green-bank.com.au

RECRUITMENT

Industry recruitment: the outlook Liz Floyd of industry recruitment specialist Polyglot Group presents insights into the impact of industry policy and confidence on employment opportunities in the sector and resulting recruitment trends.

“What is happening in the market?” A very open ended question you

estimates additional capacity of around 9000 MW of large-scale

might think, however this is by far the most common query we are asked

renewables projects that have already received development approval –

as specialist recruiters in the renewable energy sector.

and if built, will be more than sufficient to meet the 2020 target.

May 18, 2016 marks the anniversary of the bipartisan deal on Australia’s

However, given the typical project lifecycles of any solar farm above

RET reached between the Federal and Labor Governments. The deal

50 MW result in at least nine to 12 months of construction from financial

followed 15 months of significant uncertainty across the sector as well as

close, the worrying news is that one-third of this 9000 MW amount needs

lost investment confidence caused by the review of the policy.

to be committed this year.

Thanks to the bipartisan deal, the past year has solidified policy certainty,

Polyglot Group’s Renewable Energy Recruitment & HR Consulting

which combined with a variety of other factors, has rendered Australia an

division has witnessed a recent trend of a significant increase in the

attractive destination for utility-scale solar farms, as well as an increased

demand for experienced professionals with skills in Project Development of

adopter of Commercial and Industrial scale solar system installation.

solar farms starting at site selection, land-holder liaison, managing of the

However, the recruitment trends Polyglot continues to witness across the different sub-sectors of the solar industry vary significantly depending on the skill set of the resources being recruited. Below we have outlined

Land and Environmental approvals, and technical due diligence up to the financial close stage. Since Broken Hill construction was completed, Nyngan and Moree

the developments we have witnessed being at the forefront of Search &

solar farms (in which Polyglot sourced and managed the entire workforce

Recruitment across the sector.

for Elecnor – the EPC Contractor for the project), a significant number

Utility-scale solar farms In a recent report on the progress of Australia’s national Renewable

of construction staff were left out of work following the Construction completion for all three plants. In stark contrast to the current over-supply of construction staff that

Energy Target, the Clean Energy Regulator warned that as much as

include Project Managers and Engineers, Site superintendents, Health &

3000 MW of new-build capacity will need to be committed in 2016

safety and Environmental Managers for large scale solar farms, Polyglot

alone if the country is to meet the 33,000 GWh target. The CER report

and many in the industry are predicting that there will be a significant

“Polyglot and many in the industry are predicting that there will be a significant shortage of white and blue collar construction staff from quarter four 2016.”

Recruitment specialist Polyglot says Australia has become an attractive destination for utility-scale solar farms and is adopting more commercial and industrial scale solar system installations. However trends across industry sub-sectors vary significantly depending on the skill set of the resources being recruited. 38 WINTER Image courtesy2016 ARENA

shortage of white and blue collar construction staff from quarter four (Q4) 2016 onwards. This is as a result of the awarding of ARENA funding to several projects in September 2016 (currently of which there are 22 projects shortlisted) as well as a significant increase in private funding organisations entering the sector. However, one of the biggest challenges still remains the sector’s ability to secure long-term power off-take agreements.

Commercial and industrial solar systems Polyglot Group’s Renewable Energy team has witnessed an increase in recruitment activity for Business Development, Sales Management and Project Engineers and Project Managers in the Commercial solar sector over the past nine months. Several factors have contributed to this growth including costs of conventional electricity escalating, enhanced solar and energy efficiency procurement for new commercial facilities, very reasonable pay-back periods for commercial systems, and a greater social and stakeholder awareness for enhanced uptake of renewable energy.

Battery storage The most obvious growth from an organisation perspective in the hiring of new staff in the battery storage sector is that of Tesla in Australia. Although the growth for other storage organisations such as Redback Techologies, Redflow and Enphase has also been evident, the overall disruption in the sector will continue to escalate. The increased uptake of new channel distribution partners for all storage suppliers will change rapidly, and will be different from at the time of

writing this article to the time of publication. What is certain among the battery storage from a recruitment and growth of industry perspective is that change is constant. Liz Floyd is Polyglot Group’s Renewable Energy and Environment Manager. With more than nine years’ experience, she has established a strong reputation in professional recruitment in the Environment, Renewable Energy and Water sectors throughout Australia. Liz’s clients benefit from her invaluable technical, personnel and project knowledge and extensive talent sourcing capabilities. liz@polyglot.com.au

Polyglot Group Led by General Manager Jan Rieche, Polyglot’s Renewable Energy team services clients in the renewable energy, energy storage and engineering sectors and helps companies set up operations and staff projects throughout Australia, offering end-to-end permanent and contract Recruitment, HR and (outsourced) employment solutions. With offices in Australia, Europe and soon in the US, as well as a network of partners across the globe, Polyglot offers personalised cross-cultural solutions to businesses across all industries. For all market segments of Solar & Storage, Polyglot’s Renewable Energy team provides a range of HR services including permanent recruitment, project recruitment of entire teams, HR Consulting, Payroll outsourcing and Business set-up and advisory services.

Having 20 Years of experience, Polyglot supports Local & International Renewable Energy Project Developers & EPCM Contractors to minimise labour cost and optimise HR processes. Permanent Recruitment On-Hired Recruitment & Staff Management for Blue & White Collar Workers Contract Management for Entire Projects FIFO management Outsourced Payroll Visa Migration Support with Overseas Talent Translation Services for Legal & Tender Documents

For more information, call Liz Floyd on (02) 9518 4388!

www.polyglot.com.au www.polyglot.com.au Solar & Storage 39

SUSTAINABLE COUNCILS

Councils’ sustainable agendas High energy prices and greenhouse gas levels are prompting more local councils to adopt sustainable practices that in many cases include solar PV. Here we look at some significant developments that are changing the way the community sees and accesses power.

BIG CITY COUNCILS – the Cities of Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne – are well known for their progressive energy efficiency and clean energy programs. Sydney’s suite of green infrastructure master plans which include renewable energy puts the city on track to reduce carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030 under the Sustainable Sydney 2030 vision.

The City of Melbourne aims to source 25 per cent of the city’s energy from renewable sources by 2018 and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2020, but will it be trumped by Adelaide City Council which wants to claim the title of the world’s first carbon neutral city? With a focus on investment in energy efficiency and renewables Adelaide’s Sustainable City Incentives Scheme is providing up to $5000 for solar PV installations

“Local councils can step up

and $5000 for energy storage. Adelaide City Council Sustainable Policy Team Leader Marnie Hope says:

and become trusted entities, an

“We [councils] are the change agents who are challenging the status quo

independent source of information

disruptor in the policy environment.”

about solar installations. They actually

councils’ but many are industriously channeling resources into technologies

and Adelaide is leading the charge toward carbon neutrality. We are the Local Councils may not have quite the same budgets as these ‘super

do quite a lot in this space but don’t

and programs that deliver energy efficiency and sustainability. Moonee

always publicise it very well.”

community roofs.

Valley Council is one that has charged ahead by installing 50 PV systems on

Positive Charge We spoke to Senior Sustainability officer Carol Hammond who explained Moonee Valley Council is among several in Victoria that have signed up for the Positive Charge solar PV rooftop bulk buy scheme that enables more residents to install solar PV systems. To get the word out there the Council stages workshops ‘Reaping the economic and environmental benefits of a solar energy system’ to interested residents, who are rolling up in the masses. “One recent workshop was oversubscribed, we were inundated with curious people who asked lots of questions, they are hungry for information about solar PV,” said Carol whose PhD thesis ‘Local government and GHG mitigation – the stirring giant’ won plaudits from her professor. “My view is that we have reached a tipping point with global warming, we have had the warmest months on record and coral bleaching has made the news. The community is progressively seeing solar energy as a clean energy solution; solar is no longer an anomaly.” However a resident survey revealed that residents are a bit hesitant when it comes to choosing the ‘right’ installers. “They want a layer of authority to provide assurances about who to trust. Local councils can step up and become trusted entities, an independent source of information about solar installations,” Carol said. “Local councils actually do quite a lot in this space but they do not always publicise it very well.”

Sunshine Coast Council Solar farm Not long ago the Sunshine Coast Council announced plans to build Queensland’s first large-scale solar farm run by a local government. The Pictured at left: The City of Melbourne is behind the highest commercial solar panel system in Australia seen here at 101 Collins Street. Yes, the solar panels are vertically installed

40 WINTER 2016

“My view is that we have reached a Council is stumping up $48.5 million for the 15 MW plant that will sit on an abandoned 50 acre canefield inland from Coolum. The 57,800 solar panels will be built on stands three to four metres high and all being well will start generating power from early 2017. The Council estimates it will save a hefty $22 million in electricity costs over 30 years and is looking at the prospect of selling excess electricity. Despite its merits the solar plant failed to attract federal funding, with Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson expressing disappointment: “We are a big, rapidly growing region that is trying to be an Australian leader in new technologies and in the provision of alternative energy … I would have liked to have thought that the federal government would have been more eager to support us.”

Funding models Pitt and Sherry’s Phil Harrington who has been advising the City of Adelaide on its carbon neutral strategy identifies “lots of excitement in the local council space” and growing recognition for energy efficiency measures. “The city and regions are where it is at … local governments are in touch with community expectations and are leading the charge [in sustainable innovation].” But he believes not enough councils are tapping into the clean energy project finances available via the CEFC’s Clean Energy Investment Fund (CEIF) and that some Councils need to change the culture of decisionmaking and in some cases take on debt financing. “Leadership by councils means empowering project managers and leadership staff who need support to ‘step up a level’. In the macro context of climate change there is lots more to do,” Harrington says, encouraging Councils to “Light the ambition, go for maximum!

tipping point with global warming, we have had the warmest months on record and coral bleaching has made the news. The community is progressively seeing solar energy as a clean energy solution; solar is no longer an anomaly.”

Go for carbon neutral! Generate your own renewable energy fleet alternatives.” He highlighted multiple benefits not just in costs and safety but also community longevity and reiterated “The business case is so robust you are always ahead.” Paul McCartney of the CEFC added that “Now is the time to invest in PV, prices have fallen and installations carry no risk – they are a safe investment and no longer just for early adopters. They are well proven.” He reinforced the CEFC’s role with financiers to provide debt financing and equity structured finance and urges council staff to talk to the CEFC about community solar projects in particular. “We invest across technologies but solar PV is by far the greatest,” he said. The CEFC has a $250 million local government fund and recently loaned $30 million to City of Melbourne to help it strike its goal of zero emissions by 2020.

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NOTABLE INSTALLATIONS

Innovative hybrid power system SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM DESIGN ENGINEER Peter Libretto of Enertech Solar in Bundall, Queensland has tackled some interesting projects in his time but one that he completed last year is in a league of its own. Peter described the project as a very innovative hybrid installation, saying “We have been installing storage systems for more than seven years, however this one is the most unique in every way. “After months of monitoring the energy consumption on site, we established that 80 per cent of total load was used at night, we therefore went about shifting it to the daytime, via timers and change of attitude, we also made some very crucial energy appliance changes such as variable speed pump drives, LED lights etc.” he told Solar & Storage. “We then installed all of the PV arrays in an arc formation from East to West to directly target the pre-determined loads of 37 kW all on ground mounts. “After long cable runs, we installed the inverter/battery room, we used 5 kW Kaco inverters and Selectronic SP PRO inverters for battery charging. For the batteries, we selected BAE 24PVV4560 48V bank, we have programmed the system to only take out 25 per cent which equates to around 49 kWh per night. When the sun rises the next morning, the entire bank has fully recharged by midday while supplying the entire properties load.” He explained that the battery storage room (pictured below) is air conditioned and insulated, with venting around the battery bank which enables a controlled and constant temperature of 21°C.

A 37 kW solar and storage system in a league of its own

42 WINTER 2016

The system incorporates an 80 kVa generator in times of grid outages and battery state of charge below 70 per cent, which according to Peter is extremely rare.

Technical specifications: • 140 x QCell G4 265W poly panels • Ground mount, Clenergy Terrace 2: 35 kW of solar on ground mounts set out in an arc from east to west • Australian Selectronic SP PRO 7.5 kW balanced over three phases • German BAE tubular Gel 4580Ah batteries: 24PVV4560 x 24 • Kaco 5 kW x 7 • Remote monitoring system Powertime through fibre optics • Generator 80 kVa diesel three-phase • New type of ground fixings where no excavations, concrete or ground screws used

The full complement of equipment is remotely monitored for

“Although this project came with a lot of challenges, it has turned out

performance and load graphs also allowing them to change parameters if

a huge success,” Peter said. “I would love to tell you who the client is but

required or to manually start the generator.

he is a very private man who would hate to be in the public eye any more

The upshot? The system has reduced the customer’s electricity bill from $4500 per quarter to $320.

Hot water

than he is now.” www.enertechsolar.com.au

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COUNCILS EVENTS

New Zealand & Pacific Solar and Storage Council

Auckland course attendees, standing from left to right: Alec Knewstubb, Mark Fergus, Nick Charles, Colin Walker, Mark Robson, Rowen Alexander, Kevin Byers, Dirk Van Papendorp, Mark Eagles, Bernie Dombroski, Moli Schaumkel, Yariv Edery, Stuart Oliver, Roneel Chand, Stu Blair, Richard Harford, Hayley Gallagher. Seated: Willem Botha, Murray Keating, Dennis Hilton, Steve Burns, Mike Gunson. Attendees not in photo: Jon King, Jonathan Pirie, Rahim Harjee THE NZPSSC WAS LAUNCHED successfully on March 1 in Auckland with attendances from generators, distribution companies, solar suppliers, installers, regulators, designers and academia. In line with its priorities of training and advocacy for harmonised standards, the NZPSSC held the first training courses during May, with training for electrical inspectors in Christchurch and Auckland. The courses were well supported, with representatives across the

electrical industry. The names of all course attendees will be updated and available on www.nzpssc.org.nz to help the public identify and engage electrical inspectors who have undertaken professional development training on the latest safety and solar installation standards. The next training course will be held in August on the island nation of Tonga.

Solar Council Hall of Fame welcomes four stellar achievers The Solar Hall of Fame honours those who stand out in their field and “the brightest lights in our solar system”. It identifies individuals who both strengthen the industry and help establish policy that benefits the industry. ON MAY 4, 2016 four luminaries were inducted into the Australian Solar Council Hall of Fame: Fiona O’Hehir of Greenbank Environmental, Ric Brazzale of Green Energy Trading, Brian England of SEIA and Professor Fiona O’Hehir of Greenbank Environmental. Honoured for standing up to “good solar policy” and protecting the reputation of the solar industry as well as building Australia’s largest independent trade of renewable energy certificates.

Brian England of Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Honoured for his contribution to the development of the solar industry particularly the professionalism of solar installers and for his passionate commitment to solar business ethics.

The Solar Hall of Fame includes some of Australia’s greatest scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs who collectively represent a significant contribution to tackling global climate change: Emeritus Professors John Ballinger and Stephen Kaneff; Professors Bill

44 WINTER 2016

Andrew Blakers of ANU. Chief executive John Grimes stated, “the future of our industry is not inevitable but rather is shaped by those who are committed, determined and resolute in their support for clean energy.” Professor Andrew Blakers of ANU. Honoured for an “outstanding contribution to solar research and effective communication to the public of complex scientific issues.”

Ric Brazzale of Green Energy Trading. Honoured for his seminal role in supporting the establishment and expansion of the Renewable Energy Target and services to the solar industry.

Charters, Martin Green, Stuart Wenham and Graham Morrison; Associate Professor Monica Oliphant; Dr David Mills, Dr Zhengrong Shi, Dr Steve Szokolay, Dr Muriel Watt and Mr Wal Read.

Celebrating the launch of

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SOLAR Industry Events Intersolar San Francisco

Disruption & the Energy Industry Conference

The Moscone Centre in San Francisco

Swissotel, Sydney

Tuesday July 12 to Thursday July 14

Tuesday August 30 to Wednesday August 31 2016

www.intersolar.us

www.informa.com.au

Anticipated numbers:

Informa’s Energy Disruption Conference unleashes the potential for the

520+ exhibitors; 18,000+ visitors

growth of solar and energy storage, power purchase agreements and new

Times held: eight

disruptive energy channels.

Coverage: Solar PV technologies, energy storage, solar heating and cooling technologies.

11th AsiaSolar Photovoltaic Innovative Technology Product Exhibition & Forum Shanghai, China Thursday August 25 to Saturday August 27 www.asiasolar.net 2000+ exhibitors; 250,000+ visitors Times held: ten Scope of conference: Solar Cell & Module: Crystal silicon cell module, thin film cell module, concentrated PV etc. Manufacturing equipment for silicon rods, ingots and wafers; solar PV

All-Energy 2016 Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre Tuesday October 4 to Wednesday October 5 Coverage: smart grid, energy efficiency, energy storage, community energy, solar energy, investment, jobs, project development and more.

Semi – PV Taiwan Taipei Nangang Exhibition Centre Taiwan Wednesday October 12 to Thursday October 13 Numbers: 120+ exhibitors; 280+ booths; 8600+ visitors Coverage: PV Materials & Silicon Wafers / Ingots Solar Cells / PV Modules / BIPV; PV Power Generator Systems and more, with four dedicated industry themed pavilions; including Smart Energy & Storage.

cell and module manufacturing equipment; thin film manufacturing

To view a bigger list of solar and storage industry conferences being

equipment

staged across the world visit www.enfsolar.com

Want to reach thousands involved in solar and storage? Give Brett a call. Solar & Storage magazine is read by up to 18,000 industry professionals – designers, project managers, installers, technicians, manufacturers and more. Brett’s name will be familiar to many as he has gained more than seven years publishing and events experience within the solar industry. He now brings his skills and expertise to the Australian Solar Council and the Energy Storage Council across the range of publications as well as events including the industry’s leading show, the May Solar Energy Exhibition and Conference and Energy Storage Council Exhibition and Conference. Speaking from an informed viewpoint, Brett says it’s an exciting time for the industry which is making renewables ever more accessible to communities across Australia while re-shaping the future of energy supplies. With a passion for helping companies to build their brand and market share, Brett looks forward to helping Solar Council and Energy Storage Council members boost their revenues.

Contact Brett on 0402 181 250 or brett@solar.org.au

SOLAR

SOLAR & STORAGE MAGAZINE ADVERTISERS’ SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

products + services

Fronius enters into partnership with Victron Energy Fronius – the quality leader in the global solar energy market – and

the two partners first commissioned a similar solution in summer 2015

Victron Energy have aligned parts of their product ranges as part of a

comprises eight lodges, which are being supplied exclusively with

partnership agreement. The electricity generated by Fronius inverters can

solar energy from the microgrid. The electricity produced from the

be easily stored in batteries with the help of inverter chargers and charge

photovoltaic system by a total of four Fronius Symo 20.0-3-M inverters

controllers from the Dutch energy specialist.

is either directly consumed by the lodges or stored for later use. The type

A continuous power supply is not a given, especially in remote areas, where the public grid is often unstable or in a poor condition. A photovoltaic system with an integrated Fronius inverter provides a continuous supply of electricity, and most importantly, is independent of the public grid. The energy generator is connected directly to the microgrid – a regional, self-contained power distribution network. “Our

Quattro inverter charger and the Victron BlueSolar MPPT 150/85 charge controller from Victron Energy provide the batteries with a continuous energy supply and ensure smooth operation of the system.

Using fail-safe energy

inverters have a special setup for this purpose, with various functions

Both companies placed a great deal of emphasis on fail-safe operation

to ensure stable microgrid operation,” explains David Hanek, Product

during the development of the joint solution. “If the load is less than

Manager at Fronius.

the maximum capacity of the PV generator and the batteries are already

Perfect compatibility ensures an unrestricted power supply In order to store the electricity generated and thereby provide a continuous power supply, Fronius has made its inverters compatible with

full, automatic power reduction is required,” explains David Hanek. “Otherwise, the system will switch off due to overvoltage.” To prevent this, voltage-dependent power reduction and reactive power regulation functions can be activated. Matthijs Vader, Managing Director at Victron Energy, is delighted by the

technology from Victron Energy, the global supplier of energy solutions

collaboration with Fronius, saying “Our partnership and the resulting ideas

for grid-independent systems and solar systems. The partnership has

and solutions are being very well received by our customers”.

already proven its worth in the field: the residential area in Kenya where

For further information visit www.fronius.com

Opinions expressed on this page are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council

Solar & Storage 47

Solar Council Corporate Members For full listing of Solar Council Corporate Members see www.solar.org.au

Diamond Member Greenbank Environmental

GCL

DNV-GL

L&H Solar+Solutions

Solargain PV

Enphase Energy

LG Electronics Australia

Solari

EnviroGroup

Gold Corporate Members ABB

Silver Corporate Members

R F Industries SunEdison

EPC Solar Green Energy Trading

All Grid Energy

Jim Chisholm Consulting Risen Energy (Australia)

Apricus Australia

HID Europe

SunPower Corporation Australia

Solar Depot

Linuo Ritter

Trina Solar (Australia) ASM Money

Rheem Australia

Jinko

Power Diverter

Solar Freedom Australia

Trade in Green

WINTER Solar & Storage Advertisers Advertiser

Page

Web address

ABB

www.abb.com/solarinverters

All Energy

www.all-energy.com.au

Apricus

IFC

www.apricus.com.au

ASM Money

www.asmmoney.com.au

Century Yuasa Intelepower

www.intelepower.com.au

Crystal Solar Energy

www.crystalsolarenergy.com.au

Ecoult

www.ecoult.com

Fronius

OBC

www.fronius.com

GCL

http://en.gclsi.com

Linuo Ritter International

www.linuo-ritter-international.com

Polyglot Group

www.polyglot.com.au

Powerdiverter

www.powerdiverter.com.au

R & J Batteries

www.rjbatt.com.au

Redback Technologies

www.redbacktech.com

Risen

www.risenenergy.com

www.S-5.com

Schneider Electric

http://solar.schneider-electric.com

Selectronic

www.selectronic.com.au

Trade in Green

www.tradeingreen.com.au

48 WINTER 2016

Positive Quality™ Positive move – solar power you can bank on The Solar Council’s Positive Quality™ program recognises and promotes high manufacturing standards and provides consumers with peace of mind in their choice of panels. CURRENTLY THREE PROMINENT PANEL MAKERS – Jinko, Opal Solar and Perlight Solar – have been independently tested, verified and endorsed as Positive Quality™ Manufacturers, and proudly carry the logo that is a symbol of manufacturing excellence. The Australian Solar Council’s Positive Quality™ program is widely recognised for establishing rigorous standards that ensure manufacturers setting the highest levels of workmanship can participate, and this in turn presents consumers with confidence in the product they are buying. It’s a win for manufacturers, consumers and for the reputation of the industry. Two months ago the Solar Council welcomed its most recent accredited panel maker, Perlight Solar, into the Positive Quality™ program, after the company passed the rigorous inspection processes at its manufacturing base in China. At the time, Perlight’s Rory Jayasinhe stated “Our customers are receiving what we have promised … [and] Perlight is committed to staying at the forefront of solar panel quality standards.”

The Positive Quality™ process A company’s entire manufacturing processes undergo independent and intensive inspection, assessment and testing by the Solar Council’s Positive Quality™ specialists to participate in Positive Quality™ Program. The inspection includes three key steps: Certification check and compliance with IEC and Australian standards; Factory inspection with a 60-point check; and a Product quality check: appearance, IV, EL, HiPot, and leakage current. Once accredited, Positive Quality™ participants’ premises are inspected at random every three months to ensure continuity of high standards

Maintaining community trust in solar Solar Council Chief Executive John Grimes says that as manufacturers compete on price there is an inevitable pressure to substitute quality components with cheaper ones. The result is that solar panels – which vary little in looks – do not produce identical performance, and that can result in significant costs to users over time. “It is difficult to distinguish between a good quality and bad quality panel on face value,” he said. “That is why it is necessary to go back to

“By looking for the Positive Quality™ Trustmark, Australian consumers and businesses can have confidence in the quality of the solar panels they are installing.”

The Positive Quality (PQ) program plays a vital role in protecting consumers and the reputation of solar power industry the panel’s origins and inspect all aspects of the manufacturing processes. We visit the plants an expert advocate on behalf of the buyers.” The Solar Council also urges consumers to look for the Positive Quality™ logo and says that “By looking for the Positive Quality™ Trustmark, Australian consumers and businesses can have confidence in the quality of the solar panels they are installing.”

Contact details All solar PV manufacturers of high quality can participate. Start by calling Positive Quality™ Manager Brett Thompson on 0402 181 250 or email brett@solar.org.au

Raising standards The Positive Quality™ Program promotes solar PV module brands that are proven to consistently meet a high standard of manufacturing quality. The Solar Council has introduced the Positive Quality™ benchmark to: • provide consumers with peace of mind in the components they buy • provide solar installers with confidence in the reliability of products they install, and • provide installers and distributors with greater confidence in the long‑term sustainability of their business. www.solar.org.au/positivequality

By displaying the Positive Quality™ logo you are conveying high standards in panel manufacturing and instilling confidence among consumers

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