Solar Progress Issue 3 2014

ISSN: 0729-6436

Save Solar campaign Masses gather in support RET Review Strengthening the ‘Coalition of Renewables Willing’ Storage Progress Arriving sooner than we think?

Solar hot water Awaiting the next wave

09/14

issue 3

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL

Contents Australian Solar Council ASC CEO and Solar Progress Editor

2

ASC Advocacy

7

Positive Quality

31

Solar Council Board members

36

Fellow Member of the Solar Council

44

New Zealand & Pacific Solar Council

45

Meet the Solar Council team

46

Solar 2015 Conference

47

ASC Corporate Members

48

Save Solar Heroes

7 Front cover: Tip Top Apartments in Melbourne benefit from hot water delivered by Apricus Australia technology

Inside back cover

SPECIAL NEW SECTION – Storage Progress Welcome to the Energy Storage Council

20

The rise and rise of battery power

22

Insights and analysis Bloomberg’s Kobad Bhavnagri on RET and more

12

16

Giles Parkinson – Australia’s real energy problem: Too many useless coal generators 38

Market dynamics News and views

4

Solar community news

6

The RET Effect

8

Solar hot water in hot water

12

Carbon emissions by the numbers

17

8

Solar Energy advances Printing solar cells: ARENA funded project 28

Special features Smart homes and comfort zones

18

Powering Independence

32

18 20

Solar products and services Enphase, Fronius, ReneSola, SolarMax and Yingli Solar 40

SOLAR PROGRESS is published by the Australian Solar Council (ASC).

Solar Progress subscriptions: contact Anna Washington, Executive Assistant, ASC, anna@solar.org.au or call 0409 802 707

EDITOR Dr Bill Parker Phone: 0403 583 676 editor@solar.org.au CONTRIBUTORS: David Jones, Giles Parkinson, Penny Parle.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Joanna Joustra Phone: 0402 938 401 joanna@solar.org.au

AUSTRALIAN SOLAR COUNCIL CEO John Grimes PO Box 231, Mawson ACT 2607 www.solar.org.au ABN 32 006 824 148 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 ASC nor the editors are responsible for any inaccuracy.

Solar Progress is published quarterly. www.solar.org.au Solar Progress | 1

Bill Parker Editor

John Grimes Chief Executive, Australian Solar Council

Prime Minister Abbott’s anti-renewable crusade does not make any sense. The Renewable Energy Target (RET) saves money, creates jobs and investment – particularly in rural and regional Australia – and over time brings down electricity prices for all consumers.

The transition to a pollution free economy is the biggest business opportunity the world has ever seen. Not only does it improve productivity and efficiency, it also leaves a healthier more sustainable environment for future generations.

Entire new industries and companies will quickly emerge, and enormous wealth will be generated while millions of people will be pulled out of poverty. The dirty, polluting and inefficient fossil fuel sector cannot prevail in the face of economic development and progress.

For the Prime Minister to set himself up as the number one cheerleader for the old polluting fossil fuel industry is just dumb.

It is hard to avoid emotive language about the status of energy policy in Australia, particularly as it relates to the effects of climate change. Perhaps the recent editorial in the New York Times sums it up the best: “Australia’s energy policy is now essentially in shambles”. Note, this was a major American newspaper.

The future of the RET is still hanging in the balance politically and it would seem that its effectiveness in moving the nation towards renewable electricity is to be buried. Or not? Are chinks in the armour appearing?

With the removal of the Carbon Price (essentially what the NY Times was talking about) we now leave the coal miners and coal fired power stations with a free run to do what they wish for their shareholders.

But if the RET does go, it will have serious and damaging effects on a fledging industry. Clearly not what a very large majority of Australians want, as witnessed by the number organisations (including the ASC) leading a fight against the Abbott government’s ideologically driven “policy”.

So we damage one industry, and we lose investment confidence in clean tech, and possibly even wider. But most importantly, we lose the opportunity to give birth to new industries that could offer us – and the world generally – a safer, more secure life.

I hope the words above become redundant by the time you read them.

Two things stand out right now: the massive challenge to Save Solar in the face of the government’s anti-renewables, turn-back-the-clock approach. The other is the rapid advances in energy storage, and the launch of the Australian Energy Storage Council.

Bill Parker

The massive positive economic impact of renewables, and the advances of cost-effective energy storage may well turn out to be Prime Minister Abbott’s ‘inconvenient truth’.

John Grimes

Printed using FSC® mixed source certified fibre by Printgraphics Pty Ltd.

2 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

WITH SOLAR.

Australia Post is committed to reducing its 2000 carbon emission levels by 25% and gaining a 5-Star NABERS rating for its New South Wales Headquarters.

With solar an obvious choice, Photon Energy Australia installed a 284kWp system comprising of 1,052 Yingli Solar n-type silicon panels. Their high-energy output in low light conditions will help the building reduce carbon emissions by around 325 tonnes, while cutting $65,000p.a. in energy costs.

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Solar news and views

Clean coal – an oxymoron, dicing with death?

CREW (Coalition of the Renewables Willing): Greens Leader Senator Milne, Shadow Environment Minister Mark Butler and ACT Minister Simon Corbell address a packed Save Solar Forum in Queanbeyan. Just one spare seat...

Milestone development September 3 marked a Canberra milestone with the opening of Australia’s largest solar farm, the 20 MW Royalla plant comprising 83,000 solar panels which can power more than 4500 homes. First Solar built the plant which was funded by Spanish firm Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV).

Pictured with ASC CEO John Grimes (on the right) and Clean Energy Council CEO Kane Thornton (left) is ACT Minister Simon Corbell who described Royalla as “an important step towards achieving the ACT Government’s target of 90 per cent renewable energy for the territory by 2020”.

Royalla is expected to generate around 37,000 megawatt hours of renewable energy annually during the next two decades while preventing more than half a million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

The domino effect?

In early August Paris-based Areva – which four years ago bought Australian company Ausra along with its “cutting edge” concentrated solar power technology – announced its withdrawal from solar business due to falling

revenues across renewables. It does not get better – Chinese solar energy giant Suntech has announced plans to close its Australian research branch in light of the poor outlook for renewable energy.

Smart BIPV COLORBOND® pre-painted steel sheet roofing combined with cutting-edge, thin-film solar panel energy system will soon capture the sun’s energy as both electricity and heat. An innovative thermal duct system warms and cools air to supplement air conditioning in the homes.

The $5 million landmark project was undertaken by BlueScope, with $2.3 million support from ARENA whose CEO Ivor Frischknecht said at the Glebe launch “We are witnessing an exciting new technology solution moving from the lab to be prototyped on everyday Australian rooftops for the first time.”

4 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

The government is ploughing millions of dollars into Direct Injection Carbon Engine technology trials aimed at reducing emissions from black and brown coal-fired power stations and “tackling climate change”. A move greeted with disbelief by many.

Steve Blume of NoCarbon is one among many sceptics saying “Clean coal – there is no such thing, not even a working pilot program anywhere in the world. Spending vast amounts of money developing the technology is wrong.

Even if technicians can deliver “clean coal”, that is capture carbon emissions, they then have to safely store those emissions, forever. Is that possible? No accidents or explosions into infinity? The reality is the money being spent on the DICE coal project is not being spent on competitors [and] renewables are about absolute cleanliness, not relative cleanliness.”

Blume’s views were echoed by Bloomberg’s Kobad Bhavnagri who also cast doubt over the timing and extent of geological excavation work necessary to pump carbon emissions below the ground.

Meanwhile carbon emissions in July and August rose about one million tonnes at an annualised rate, the largest two-month increase since the end of 2006, due to the leap in coalfired power.

Greens Senator Milne – who recently binned the RET Report in front of gathered media – is on record as stating: “Every tonne rise in emissions is another wad of cash in a coal baron’s pockets while driving extreme weather events that everyone else will pay the price of.”

There are however signs of enlightenment over in the UK where some old coal mines are being transformed into solar farms.

Clean investment

Future Super recently launched the first super fund in Australia to exclude fossil fuels and instead divert investments into renewables.

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Solar community Rhino’s luxury pad The lucky rhinos at Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand are enjoying more warmth underfoot, thanks to the hydronic heating supplied via a 1 kW solar system using Enphase Microinverters. Installed

by S4Solar, the system was fixed atop an educational sign (pictured) which also enables zoo visitors to charge their phone via a USB charger on the sign.

Message to Canberra Going Solar and the ACF joined forces in late August to stage ‘Cuppa Sunshine Morning Tea’ to celebrate solar in Australia and send a strong message to Canberra to protect the Renewable Energy Target with the gathering encouraged to lodge letters with MPs. The event also marked the launch of the ACF’s new 15 kW solar installation powered

by Winaico solar panels and a state of the art Enphase Microinverter System on the roof of the 60L Green Building, installed

by Going Solar.

‘Cuppa Sunshine’ is an initiative of Solar Citizens.

Going Solar’s trophy cabinet Going Solar picked up two awards at the Clean Energy Council 2014 Awards for Excellence: one for a PV system under 15 kW in which Going Solar designed and built a solar canopy. The 9.75 kilowatt system doubles as a wind break, shelter and educational tool all-inone at the entrance of a primary school. The second award was in the category of PV Stand Alone System in which Going Solar designed and built a 5 kW solar system to provide power to three cabins about 100 metres apart; a practical and sustainable alternative to diesel power for remote locations.

ASC Chapter meetings The Sydney Central Chapter meeting in July featured speakers Sean McCracken from Granite Power on ‘Supercritical Organic Rankine Cycle’ and Johan Dreyer from NEP Solar on ‘Concentrating collectors for industrial heat, including project experiences’. In August Amanda McKenzie and Andrew Stock of the Climate Council spoke about Australia’s renewable energy Future and electricity sector in general.

The Melbourne Chapter now meets at Melbourne Town Hall, courtesy of convener Russell French who in July presented the city’s grand sustainability vision. Matthew Woodcock-Smith of Optimal Power Solutions gave insights into overseas installs. In September lawyer Lyle De Sousa informed the gathering about significant regulatory change in the renewable energy sector and Matthew Sullivan of Moreland Energy Foundation addressed BIPV research highlights.

Darren Gladman of Clean Energy Council, Stephen Ingrouille of Going Solar, Josh Meadows of ACF (right) and (front) Miwa Tominaga of Going Solar

Yingli4You Launched in early August Yingli4You aims to raise the quality benchmark for Australia’s solar PV industry. The Partner Program is designed as an integrated educational, incentive, technical and project management package to support authorised Yingli Solar installers in raising quality standards within the solar PV industry.

Yingli Solar will be the first solar PV manufacturer in Australia to introduce an iPhone app (known as Y4U and available via iTunes) with a corresponding website which acts as an integrated digital storage tool for all technical and site information and photography, facilitating streamlined project management.

Through the Y4U app and website, installers will be able to maintain a database of installations, add location-based tags to installation images and orientation and pitch image grabs.

Visit www.yinglisolar.com/au or call 1300 309 489.

6 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Russell French (left) and Lyle De Sousa at Melbourne Town Hall

Hobart Chapter forums have been devoted to the challenge of condensation in well-insulated houses, with Andy Russell of the Proctor Group one of several guest speakers. Recent monthly meeting have been followed by building forums, one of which considered the design problems of meeting bushfire codes, compliance with building regulations and maintaining energy efficiency.

Save Solar

in the spotlight Solar Council CEO John Grimes presents insights into Solar Council activities and the Save Solar campaign which is gathering momentum and widespread media coverage.

Before the federal election the Coalition promised that it would support the existing Renewable Energy Target (RET). Instead, the government is pursuing an ideologically driven agenda that threatens the entire renewable energy sector.

Recognising that threat for all it represents, the Solar Council has embarked on a high profile, successful Save Solar campaign that targets marginal Coalition held federal seats. This builds on our dedicated engagement and education for the RET Review Panel (which proved to be futile). This campaign should not be necessary; we should not have to fight for the RET that has otherwise enjoyed bipartisan support since 2001.

The Coalition government’s attack on the RET is driven by ideology and commitment to the fossil fuel industry, which overlooks the enormous level of community support for solar energy.

Solar is enormously popular. Once again we have demonstrated through our Save Solar community forums that the full cross-section of Australian society supports the RET. From industry groups and small businesses to trade unions and political parties. In the first two forums alone more than 1000 people attended, with many being locked out of the venues because we were over capacity.

Our Save Solar meetings in the north Brisbane electorate of Petrie, at Eden-Monaro in Queanbeyan and in Sydney were a standout success. We have simply booked large meeting rooms, promoted events and watched the crowds turn up. Young couples, retirees, local business people, plumbers, installers and more, the rooms have been packed to the hilt.

We have received strong support from the “Coalition of the Renewable Energy Willing” namely Greens Leader Christine Milne, Shadow Environment Minster Mark Butler and the Palmer United Party.

Notable was the absence of incumbent members – whose seats hang by a thread – which tells us the government has no strong argument against community support for solar.

The reality is we are tapping into community sentiment rather than “whipping it up” as some have stated. So much so that our marginal seat campaign has been hailed as “tactical genius” in the corridors of Parliament House.

Media coverage has been prolific as well as sympathetic to the cause. In recent weeks I have been interviewed by countless TV, radio and newspaper reporters. Never before has solar achieved such a high profile.

Crowds gathered at Save Solar forums Media and public sentiment stand firmly on our side.

And let’s not forget what this is all about – the process by which we can and will Save Solar. Despite government attempts to quash clean energy and shore up the position of the country’s biggest polluters.

Emissions reality check The alarming extent of carbon emissions generated by the big three utilities is highlighted on page 17. These same utilities stand to benefit financially if the current government manages to abolish renewable energy targets.

At the time of writing, indications were that the strong messages delivered through our unrelenting Save Solar campaign were getting through. Which may be why I am now under personal attack by the coalition government.

We remain optimistic – along with the community we stand united for solar progress – but our work is far from over. We will maintain the momentum, we will do whatever it takes to bring justice to bear.

We can and will apply pressure to overturn government intent. We do so with the support of Solar Council members from across the nation and without whom the success of the campaign would simply not be possible.

Take a bow, all our Solar Heroes. Your company logos are listed on the inside back cover of this magazine by way of tribute and recognising your commitment to the cause.

Positive developments The frenzy created by our Save Solar Campaign seems far removed from my trip to Japan in late July to meet some of the world’s largest solar module manufacturers. Japan installed almost 7 GW of solar capacity last year.

I’m also pleased to report growing interest in our Positive Quality Program with our first participants fully signed up and on board (more on page 34).

And moving with the times we have established the Australian Energy Storage Council to meet the needs of this burgeoning sector. We also introduce a new dedicated segment in this magazine to cover advances in energy storage.

ASC AGM welcomes new Board members At the recent Annual General Meeting of the association we welcomed Daman Cole of Yingli Green Energy to the Board, along with the re-election of Steve Blume, Anthony Sachs and Gabrielle Kuiper. At the same time we accepted with regret the decision by long-timer Bill Parker not to re-nominate. Bill has been a tower of strength and font of knowledge and that of course continues.

A closing thought If I can leave you to ponder the fact that scientists are now unanimous on the view – and 99.9 per cent certain – that human activity has caused global warming. Surely that is enough impetus for widespread adoption of clean energy technology which is both efficient and enormously popular. Just not among our leaders, who want to take us back to the past.

Solar creates jobs, investment, regional development, and economic activity. It also saves money, and as the Save Solar campaign will show, shifts votes.

Rest assured we will not relax until we have secured the strong future that the solar energy sector deserves, and in so doing deliver the community what it clearly wants.

Solar Progress | 7

The fight to Save Solar

The RET Effect Solar energy saves money, is non-polluting and creates jobs. And it is enormously popular – ask anyone. The Solar Council’s Save Solar campaign meetings held around the country highlight the strong groundswell of support for renewables facilitated by the Renewable Energy Target. Can the government afford to turn a blind eye to the needs and wants of its community, the voters?

There can’t be many people in Australia who are unaware of the attention surrounding the future of renewable energy. Media focus has been as intense as it has ubiquitous, and at the forefront is the Solar Council staunchly presenting the case for solar energy which reduces prices, reduces emissions, and is loved by the community.

But where is it all heading? At the time of writing the government was reviewing the RET Review Panel’s determinations and flagging four scenarios, including immediate closure or phasing out of the small scale renewable energy scheme (SRES), a move that would spell disaster to the residential and commercial solar market and consumers, given that the average solar system slashes home power bills by 65 per cent. Let’s also note here that the cost of the SRES is entirely offset by the reduction in wholesale electricity prices created by more solar. The other three scenarios spell doom for Australia’s solar industry. None of the four options is acceptable to the Australian Solar Council.

As ASC CEO John Grimes has continually stated, the government is blinkered, tuned in only to the interests of the big power companies who clearly begrudge household solar.

“This government has badly misread the public view about solar energy in particular. They have a blindspot to the fact that almost one and a half million Australian homes in the mortgage belts of the cities and rural and regional Australia have rooftop solar cells on their rooftop,” he said. “And these same people make and break governments.”

People are now voting with their feet and turning up in the hundreds to the Solar Council’s Save Solar meetings smartly staged in marginal electorates in a campaign aimed at getting those Coalition MPs to resist a government push to slash the RET. The meetings in Petrie (north Brisbane), Eden-Monaro (Queanbeyan) and Barton (in the heart of Sydney) have been standout successes – so much so the doors have had to be closed for safety reasons – rooms were at full capacity.

Strength in numbers: political support Standing alongside the Solar Council at these meetings has been the “Coalition of the renewables energy willing”: Greens Leader Christine

Solar Citizens Campaigns Director Claire O’Rourke and ASC CEO John Grimes (right) present an industry letter urging RET retention signed by 470 businesses representing 3700 employees to PUP Senator Glenn Lazarus (centre) at Parliament House.

Milne, the Shadow Environment Minster Mark Butler and the Palmer United Party. Labor leader Bill Shorten has fully grasped the “grassroots” level of solar support and is ready to take up the mantle along with the Solar Council. Clive Palmer is on record as saying: “[The government] can’t do anything unless we agree with it, basically, and we’ve said we’re not going to get rid of the RET.” Important allies all of them.

Solar Heroes speak out Solar Progress canvassed the views of prominent industry players.

Daman Cole of Yingli Green Energy said: “We believe a decision to abolish or dilute the RET is irresponsible … the recommendations of the RET review will increase electricity prices for homes and businesses in the long-term, leave a locally established renewables industry in turmoil, create impacts which are likely to see increases in severe environmental events, and leave negative consequences for future generations while impacting negatively on Australia’s international reputation. This policy uncertainty is sending a negative message to investors and threatening investments in the development of the renewable sector.”

Doug Fletcher of Solari Energy wants the RET to remain in place because “The industry still needs that level of support – even if prices come down. The generators are attacking the industry from all sides. But [just] don’t place all your bets on support because one day it will be pulled.”

On a profound level – yet simply cast – Chris Taylor of Apricus Australia asks: “What are the financial or environmental benefits of denying climate change?”

Fiona O’Hehir of Greenbank Environmental despairs over the government’s intent to tear apart an industry that makes sense on every level, and she describes the RET review as the worst threat to renewable energy.

Using stronger words is Ric Brazzale of Green Energy Trading who says if support for solar is removed “it will suck the lifeblood out of the industry. [We need] policy certainty from the federal government, asking it to leave the RET as it is and allow industry to “get on with the business of

“What are the financial and

investing in and developing new projects. The SRES is important to make

environmental benefits of denying

industry. It is working as expected. There is no need to change it.”

climate change?” (Chris Taylor, Apricus)

Solar who told Solar Progress: “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Why destroy

solar affordable to all and is the one remaining policy measure for the And summing up things nicely is Stephen Ingrouille of Going > continues on page 10

8 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Hannah Purss

Evan Casey

THE POWER TO EMPOWER Hannah, Evan and their camels are trekking through 2000 km of bush from Alice Springs to Port Augusta to raise funds for Aussie Helpers Drought Relief, farmers and citizens affected by the worst drought in the country. We at ReneSola support their efforts and have provided them with solar panels that store power and light up their LED lights at night.

Camels For Drought Relief is an initiative, solely for the purpose of raising funds.

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“We have the momentum [to save solar], this is winnable. Our resolve remains stronger than ever. We will not fold or compromise. Solar shifts votes – see it, believe it.”

Powerful community support: standing room only at each and every Save Solar event staged by the Solar Council in marginal seats. > continued from page 8

something that good? It’s disingenuous. The RET is not costing the taxpayer.”

Solar heroes they have been named for their unwavering support for the Solar Council’s Save Solar campaign. Joining them are numerous others – turn to the inside back cover where we list all of our solar heroes who have contributed significantly to the cause to Save Solar.

Widespread interest and debate Bernie Fraser of the Climate Change Authority – the entity equipped with deep knowledge and which arguably should have led the renewables review – stated the RET delivers its objectives, and Fraser now suggests that ‘direct action’ should direct its attention toward decommissioning dirty, old, inefficient coal fired power stations.

Tim Flannery and Fiona Stanley recently listed the health risks from coal thus: lung cancer, bronchitis, heart disease and other adverse health conditions. Globally, air pollution from coal combustion accounts for more than 200,000 deaths per year. The Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering estimates that the ill-effects of coal cost Australia $2.6 billion annually. The furore over the Hazelwood coal fire continues to stoke news headlines.

Sticking with the bigger picture, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently declared it 95 per cent probable that humans were the main cause of global warming and that temperatures are likely to rise by more than 2 degrees by 2100 if carbon emissions

A quick recap on what axing the RET would entail: • $10 billion additional profits over 15 years for owners of coal and gas-fired power plants • 15 per cent increase in wholesale energy prices, 2.5 per cent increase in retail prices by 2030 • 154 million tonne increase in fossil fuel use by 2030 (boosting Australia’s carbon pollution by 12 million tonnes a year), with emissions rising to 200 million tonnes • $8 billion reduction in renewables investment by 2040 Can the planet afford it? And is democracy at stake? The fact is 99+ per cent of RET Review submissions back the RET’s goals; just 56 submissions called for it to be abolished while 23,272 community submissions stood in favour.

Source: RET Jacobs group for The Climate Institute, ACF and WWF-Australia.

(See page 17 for more facts and figures)

10 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

remain high. As many as 97 per cent of climate scientists agree the world is warming and that people are the cause.

Tony Abbott is heeding no warnings, instead drawing attention to the nation’s massive coal and gas reserves and suggesting we make the most of them while denying the science behind climate change. He is on record as stating the RET is “very significantly driving up power prices” but that “Energy reform has begun with the carbon tax repeal and [will] continue with some work with the RET.” The Anglican Church has weighed into the debate, suggesting the Abbott government both respect and act upon relevant independent evidence-based scientific advice on climate change. The 23 church dioceses deeply regret that “future generations and other forms of life … would bear the real cost of our heavy dependence on carbon-based energy”.

Industry confidence takes a beating And while deliberations take place the industry is in limbo. In an industry that relies on long-term investments, uncertainty messes with confidence.

As succinctly stated by Clean Energy Council’s Kane Thornton: ‘’The industry is basically on hold because of the uncertainty of the RET review … you’d have to be pretty reckless to make a decision that ultimately doesn’t save anyone any money on their power bills, is at distinct odds with what 99 per cent of people have asked for and will seriously damage investments and put people out of jobs.’’ Sadly in late July big picture player Ingenero was placed in the hands of external administrators with part of the blame attributed to the RET review.

Standing united Repeating the words of Solar Council CEO John Grimes: “Solar creates jobs, investment, regional development, and economic activity. It also saves money.

“As a collective the renewables industry stands firmly for the future, not the past. Media and public sentiment is very much on our side. We have the momentum, this is winnable. Our resolve remains stronger than ever.

We will not fold or compromise. Solar shifts votes – see it, believe it.”

Consider this Here we take the liberty of posing a few questions for discussion over a pint of ale or a glass of shiraz: What is the definition of a democracy if not to support the desires of the wider community?

Is government being negligent by disregarding the wishes of the vast majority?

Does not the government have a Duty of Care toward its people and the environment? And for the welfare of future generations?

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Solar hot water

Going Solar installed a hybrid system to cater for hot water consumption peaks of 1000 litres over a short time at a school’s remote campus

In hot water Often dubbed the “forgotten cousin” of rooftop PV is Australia’s solar hot water industry which just two years ago was riding the crest of a wave in popularity.

Despite the natural advantages delivered by the technology, demand has ebbed along with support schemes. Today the industry faces even more diluted demand and key players are contemplating the road ahead.

One passage in the autobiography Mao’s Last Dancer sums up the lifelong plight of an elderly Chinese peasant. The author wrote: “My mother [finally] had hot running water, what more could she want?” The absence of hot water in the home for the first five decades was her biggest single challenge in life.

Here in Australia it’s the absence of solar hot water systems in up to 95 per cent of homes that frustrates the solar hot water industry, a sector beset by challenges from a swings and roundabout ride in recent years due to on- then off-again government incentive schemes.

One day the merits of tapping into the warmth of the sun or air sitting directly above a home to supply residents’ hot water needs seem fully recognised, so much so there was talk about blanket legislation banning traditional electric storage water heaters installed in domestic households.

Naturally the industry looked forward to a surge in business, but with the states unable to achieve consensus that day never arrived.

However it was the swift and sharp policy changes in most of the states two years ago that produced a monumental downshift to the market that had peaked in 2009-2010, notching up a record 195,000 units sold.

The following year demand fell to 115,000 units with new dwellings accounting for most sales. But even that tally contrasted favorably to last year when the market added just 57,000 units, of which 20,000 were in Victoria due to its favorable building code provisions and retention of incentives. Queensland came in second in the market that has clearly taken a dive.

Ric Brazzale of Green Energy Trading notes that Australia wide the solar hot water industry has effectively shrunk to a third of its former size, A collector array of a domestic system won Going Solar the 2012 Clean Energy Council Award for Excellence in system design and installation

Solar hot water – market snapshot • Just 4 to 5 per cent of Australian homes have solar water heaters • About 25 per cent of energy used in the average home is in water heating, in turn that generates about 23-28 per cent of household greenhouse gas emissions (minus vehicle use) • Should all Victorians convert from electric to solar hot water the state’s total greenhouse gas emissions would be slashed by a mighty 20 per cent • The birth of Australia’s solar hot water industry can be traced back to the 1950s when CSIRO undertook ground breaking research into flat plate solar water heaters. This evolved into a buoyant solar water heater manufacturing industry following the unannounced and unexpected policy changes of 2012, which left many businesses high and dry with container loads of stock sitting idle on docks. Now the industry is bracing itself over the prospect of changes to the RET.

Pulling the plug?

Noting the Small Scale Technology Certificate rebate shaves around 15 to 20 per cent off the cost of installing a solar hot water system, Mark Donaldson of Going Solar says “If the RET goes – so does the industry, effectively. The market has been slowly declining but will dry up if the RET goes as the average payback would increase to around 16 years.

“In my experience domestic consumers looking at solar hot water for purely financial reasons are generally not interested if the payback is above ten years.”

Tracking industry movements over the decades Donaldson commented that the solar hot water market has been impacted not just by changes to state rebates but also the surge in popularity of solar PV, driven by lower costs.

“Whereas five years ago solar hot water was often deemed a household’s best investment, that is not the case today. Solar energy is seen as one system. But when customers talk about solar, they usually

“In my experience domestic consumers looking at solar hot water for purely financial reasons are generally not interested if the payback is above ten years.”

12 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Solar hot water

“People need to think more about bundles – combining hot water and PV – and that is what we will see more of.”

assume that solar electricity is what is best for them. Solar hot water is a lot less advertised and generally isn’t as ‘sexy’ as PV.” Going Solar is a long-standing multi award winning company that has weathered policy changes by pioneering solar energy systems, and

Diversification and innovation Taylor however maintains that whatever the future holds “You do not want to move from the RET into a rebate structure. It would be flawed

has carried out numerous residential as well as

and short term and a band-aid solution not

commercial scale installations using flat plate

designed to support long-term manufacturing or

or evacuated tube technology, in some cases

local investment.

building hybrids for optimal effect. (As seen in images.)

Although Donaldson is also keeping an eye on the rise and rise of gas prices, which will significantly reduce paybacks on commercial

“The government cannot be expected to run subsidies and support indefinitely, and by the same token a business should never be built or run around a rebate model.

“Technology – and demand – has to stand

systems, it’s the more immediate impact of the

on its own two feet. If the RET goes, it will force

RET that remains the focal point of the industry

people in the space to be more innovative and

today.

innovation is not a bad thing,” said the co-

Solar Progress spoke to Apricus Australia CEO

founder of Apricus which was a Sydney start-up

Chris Taylor on the day that news broke of the

just ten years ago today has offices in the US and

government’s intentions over the RET.

France, owns and manages its own production

“Not only would the solar hot water market be devastated if the RET hence SRES support were removed it would also have a massive impact on

plant in Nanjing, China and supplies more than 30 countries.

The company has secured many large

the domestic market’s 25 manufacturers, many

contracts, among them the Winter Olympics pool

of which are well known brands,” he said. “The

in Vancouver and the Boeing plant in Salt Lake

biggest outcome of a scaled back renewable

City which now houses Apricus Solar Thermal

energy target would be closure of some local

Collectors to deliver solar hot water to preheat

manufacturers and flood of cheap imports.

paint booth makeup air.

“Down the track this will raise questions over

Closer to home are installations at the bottle

the industry’s ability to comply with Australian

cleaning plant at De Bortoli wineries and Tip

Standard AS 2712 relating to potable water, with

Top apartments in Melbourne. However the

cheap overseas non-regulated businesses entering

replacement market constitutes the majority of

the market.”

work for the company which focuses exclusively

Consequences that were evidently overlooked by the RET Review Panel during deliberations.

Apricus Australia’s high profile presence at Salt Lake City

14 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

on evacuated tube technology and lists diversification on the agenda.

“We have the opportunity to be energy leaders and stimulate some creative thinkers to develop different ways of applying technologies to the market,” Taylor said. “Apricus is moving more into the commercial market and there is also scope to better market, that is promote the benefits of hot water so we are working hard on an education piece.”

Taylor also outlined the move by Apricus into pool heating and hydronic heating, their technicians taking the application and developing it into one unit “with some standing success”.

“Retrofit of hydronic under-floor heating systems with a radiator system is possible,” Taylor explained. “It’s a massive market and opportunity and a sector that will grow due to the rising price of gas. Up to 57 per cent of energy costs are on domestic heating, cooling or hot water. Systems that reduce reliance on gas – the cost of which is set to rise exponentially – make lots of sense.

“People need to think more about bundles, hot water and PV combined, and that is what we will see more of … maximising solar PV by offsetting the hot water represents a good opportunity, The PV industry can partner with us and that is what we will embrace.”

Boeing paint facility in Salt Lake City is host to Apricus Solar thermal collectors

Empowering you with the world’s only 4th generation microinverter.

Renewable energy market analysis

Solar survival and revival

“Removal of the RET would not bring the small scale PV industry to its knees, it is an unstoppable force, even if subsidies are withdrawn …

With or without political support, solar makes sense.”

Market analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance presents a compelling case for a commitment to renewable energy targets for the benefit of consumers, the environment, investors and the economy. But what is in store for the PV industry if the government succeeds in axing the Renewable Energy Target? Here Kobad Bhavnagri shares his expectations.

Objective and thorough market analysis is the lifeblood of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, which in recent months has focused attention on the ramifications of any change to the Renewable Energy Target.

In a nutshell, the agency’s well publicised report reveals that cutting the renewables target will reduce competition among fossil-fuel power generators, trigger a 59 per cent decline in renewables investment and 11,100 job losses in a market beset by strong rises in electricity prices and a 5 per cent rise in power sector emissions. A win for fossil-fuel generators at the expense of the community at large; findings that are in keeping with the majority of market analysts.

Referencing the government’s poor track record on clean energy and climate policy, energy economics markets specialist Kobad Bhavnagri commented that current support delivered via the Small-scale Renewable Energy System combined with modest feed-in tariffs helps make the case for installing PV “a little more compelling” for households.

But take away those incentives and it still makes sense to install PV systems, according to Bloomberg research which suggests the market would suffer short term in a post-RET environment before regaining ground.

“Going forward in time that [popularity] will only get stronger as PV prices continue to fall and electricity prices rise. The solar sector is poised for significant growth over the next 15 years.”

“Removal of the RET would not bring the small scale PV industry to its knees, it is an unstoppable force, even if subsidies are withdrawn,” Bhavnagri says. “With or without political support, solar makes sense.

“Experience to date shows that following even drastic subsidy cutbacks the market bounces back quite strongly, which [in the case of solar energy] comes back to the fundamentals of the economics. Going forward in time that will only strengthen as PV prices continue to fall and electricity prices rise. The solar sector is poised for significant growth over the next 15 years, with 23 GW forecast to be installed by 2030.”

He added that PV popularity is strengthened by virtue of its status as a distributed technology as well as “feel good” factor with people determining purchases not just on economic returns.

Opinion polls reinforce consumers’ positive sentiment toward renewables especially those within reach and as relayed by Solar Council CEO John Grimes for those without rooftop PV it’s not a case of ‘if’ but ‘when’.

Bloomberg projects a steady increase in the take-up of PV before peaking during 2020-2022, with forecasts indicating that by 2030, seven in ten free standing and semi-detached residential properties will sport a PV system.

Implausible denial?

Less certain is the angle to be adopted by government to support its case for removing the RET in view of the widespread popularity and success of the scheme and renewables in general, as revealed in submissions to the RET Review, coupled with industry consensus that renewables reduce the cost of power long term. Importantly, if the RET remained in situ it would save end-consumers on average $2 billion annually from 2015-2030, with the costs of the policy outweighed by the subsequent changes to wholesale electricity prices.

“It will be difficult for the government to coherently and honestly paint a picture that says that renewables are excessively costly and that the

Putting the brakes on large-scale solar

rules need to be changed,” Bhavnagri commented. “How will they justify

Although the post-RET outlook for small-scale PV appears reasonable, large-scale solar plant developments are more vulnerable in an energy market which is currently over-supplied and not in any immediate need of new power stations. Notable too is the government’s sympathetic and supportive treatment of incumbent coal stations, despite limited scope for market growth in developed countries. Coal power stations operate in a market with long-term decline and which is being outpaced by a superior technology, namely renewables.

having holes punched in it, remains to be seen.

16 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

sweeping changes [to renewables policies] with any credibility, without “The overwhelming and unanimous view of economists on carbon pricing is clear, and the government just choses to ignore that and say without any substance that it thinks its anti-renewables, pro-fossil fuel policy will work.”

With an academic background in engineering and environmental studies policy, Kobad Bhavnagri is the head of Australia for BNEF and developed the company’s economic modelling expertise in solar PV and large scale RET.

Renewables vs fossil fuels –

BY THE NUMBERS AUSTRALIA’S TOP POLLUTING ELECTRICITY GENERATORS DIRECT EMISSIONS (TONNES/CO2E)

GFD Suez: >27 million tonnes EnergyAustralia:

>24 million tonnes

Macquarie Generation: >20 million tonnes

AGL Energy: >20 million tonnes C S Energy: >18 million tonnes

Stanwell Corporation: >15 million tonnes

Origin Energy: >13 million tonnes

Source: Clean Energy Regulator, 2014, Greenpeace analysis

INCREASE IN FOSSIL FUEL CAPACITY OVER PAST FIVE YEARS: 87% Origin Energy 75% EnergyAustralia 50% AGL

RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPONENT OF ELECTRICITY GENERATION, 2012-13: 0.5% Origin Energy 1.9% EnergyAustralia 15% AGL

Source: Greenpeace: ‘The Dirty Three‘

SOLAR ENERGY EMPLOYMENT 13,300 people employed by more than 4300 solar PV businesses in Australia (in 2014) More than 21,000 potential employment in solar energy and storage sector by 2018 (with 8000 PV industry jobs created from 2014 to 2018)

9487 (in 2007) employed in electricity generation

AUSSIE EFFICIENCY

(fossil-fuelled power stations, gas, hydro and renewable energy generation)

6.1 hours labour per kW solar installed – Australian installers average

Source: The Australia Institute

9.4 labour hours per kW installed – US installers average (Rocky Mountain Institute, US)

THE AXING OF THE RET WOULD RESULT IN:

8 59% fall in renewables investment 8 63% less capacity installed by 2020 8 22% higher cost to consumers at $0.6bn each year (2015-2020)

rise in power sector emissions 8 8 11,100+ reduction in employment 8 $70+ billion extra revenue for big power 5%

companies 2015 - 2030

AND IF THE 45,000 GWH RET REMAINS WE GAIN:

4 $35+ billion of investment in 14.2 GW of new renewable capacity by 2020

4 25,000+ workers employed each year 4 5% reduction in power sector emissions in 2020 (vs 2013)

4 $2+ billion savings to consumers annually (2015-2030) Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance Solar Progress | 17

“We could be doing a lot better than we are … there is nothing that compels the speculative development industry to go further than what they are obliged to do from a regulatory view point.”

Smart build

Comfort zone

A farm house near Goulburn in the Southern Tablelands of NSW. The owner builders recently completed the construction based on TT Architecture designs. The near-autonomous dwelling features a 3.5 kW PV system but mounted on a nearby shed rather than the house roof.

Our home, our castle. And potentially one that taps into smart design and smart materials which reduce not only our footprint but also domestic power bills. Here we take a look at some of the advances in materials and affordability to help deliver just that.

If designer builders Steph and Courtney could turn back the clock they would not cut holes in their plasterboard ceiling. Granted, these holes were only large enough to accommodate downlights, but big enough to produce a downside.

As explained by the Phillip Island duo: “Unfortunately we had designed and half built our house before commencing passive solar training so with hindsight we would not have installed downlights as you have to cut out insulation from the roof space for fire safety and warm air vanishes into the roof cavity through the hole cut-outs in the plasterboard. We would have installed double glazing and factored in more partitioning/air locks while probably decreasing the number of south facing windows.”

The crew from CWC Constructions (tagline: ‘Building for the environment’) is now fully tuned in to smart design and eagerly await the next big thing that will “rock” building design. More on that later.

Importantly, the pains taken by CWC highlight some of many design considerations that help deliver optimal comfort levels, namely between 18 and 27 degrees Celsius. With the limited number of days delivering temperatures in that band, it’s little wonder a significant portion of a home’s energy use – about 40 per cent – is consumed by heating and cooling mechanisms.

18 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Not so for ACT based consultant architect Trevor Lee, who is one of the few in Australia living in a Passive Design home. A house so well designed and sympathetic to natural sources of heating and cooling that it requires no external or internal machinery to engineer a comfortable interior microclimate.

The morning Solar Progress spoke to Lee, Canberrans had shivered through a night where the mercury plummeted to a frosty -5 degrees.

Absent of any active heating mechanisms, Lee was enjoying indoor temperatures of 18 degrees, courtesy of the inside out brick veneer concrete block construction and optimum building orientation.

Thermal mass The origins of Passive House date back to the mid 1990s in Germany (PassivHaus) and two decades on it is estimated just 40,000 buildings worldwide can be certified Passive House. Australia accounts for around 1000 of these and differs slightly from the German passivhaus by tapping more into thermal mass as opposed to the European emphasis on maximising heating efficiency through superior insulation levels and super smart windows. Europeans also tend to close up houses to limit indoor/outdoor air exchange.

Australia’s focus on high thermal mass materials continues to evolve, with due consideration for cost effective approaches, as explained by Peter Overton of TT Architecture.

“It takes a decent amount of heat energy to change the temperature of high density materials such as masonry and brick and block and concrete, which have high heat storage capacity and are therefore said to have high thermal mass.

But today, in contrast to the early nineties, there is less use of heavyweight materials in favour of lightweight materials such as timber which have low thermal mass.”

However lightweight construction materials can gain a helping hand to deliver better internal thermal results via smart heat capacitors in the form of phase change materials. Effectively on duty 24/7 these materials stabilise indoor temperatures by absorbing and releasing heat.

“Phase change materials which come in plastic sheets appearing like bubble wrap (and storing liquid materials in those bubbles) can be secured in the lightweight frame behind the lining sheet using a staple gun and they make use of the latent heat of phase change to absorb and regenerate the energy,” Overton explained.

To date phase change materials have been more commonly used in refrigeration and air conditioning but given their affordability and benefits represent significant as yet untapped

potential in the construction industry. It’s one smart material that could very well help shape the future.

In other positive developments, double-glazing has become increasingly affordable over the past decade on the back of significant cost reductions.

Although windows typically represent less than 10 per cent of the home’s surface area, they contribute as much as 50 per cent of heat loss in winter.

Trevor Lee explained that with Australia’s now substantial local manufacture, doubleglazing is *at the edge of cost effectiveness. “It’s less of a financial hit to achieve the preferred environmental outcome. Previously doubleglazing incurred a ten-year payback but that is closing.“ He also forewarns of the hike in gas prices which will cause more builders and homeowners to rethink building materials and design to achieve better year-round internal temperatures.

Building star ratings also have thermal performance in mind.

Reach for the star ratings All new buildings in Australia have to be built to a minimum 6-Star rating, calculated using Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) software which uses computer simulation at design stage to assess the thermal performance of a home.

“The public however thinks that six stars is the quintessence,” says Lee of design think-tank Exemplary Energy Partners. “It’s deeply deceptive

as many seem to be under the impression that you cannot do any better, and for many builders it’s something of a grudge to demonstrate their design and construction meet the regulations. It’s an odd situation in which six stars actually means it’s the worst you can achieve.“ Overton concurs, saying “We could be doing better than we are … there is nothing that compels the speculative development industry to go further than what they are obliged to do from a regulatory view point. And the new housing market represents just a fraction of the market.”

It is believed that in a given year just 120,000 new builds are approved. The number of dwellings stands at around 7.7 million.

“Old style housing represents the vast majority of the market, and old inefficient homes consume large amounts of energy, that is what we need to tackle.“ Indeed, it will be many years before Ten Star homes which have zero energy demand are mandated.

Wrong foundations Stephen Ingrouille of Melbourne based Going Solar remarked on the slow take up of smart design features in commercial buildings under construction in and around the city.

“Too many buildings are being put up that could be, but are not, based on passive design principles. We are fixed into that system whereby developers can do what they want, affordable housing is the focus and there tends to be a move away from sustainable design and built-in PV (BIPV) which can harvest energy and slash grid-supplied energy consumption.

“We need to set the right foundations with proper design not only in houses but entire suburbs, however what is missing is knowledge, architects are not taught enough about smart design at university, their clients are not

necessarily well informed and customers want the cheapest deal which paves the way for the lowest common denominator.”

Richard Turner of Zen Energy in Adelaide believes the turn around in thinking has started.

“Two years ago home builders were still focused on low cost housing but the market is gradually changing as people become more aware of energy use and are asking for better quality and more sustainable homes.

“Builders are approaching us about the range of fully integrated sustainable appliances so we are putting in whole solutions – WELS rated taps and renewable systems and double-glazing – and in general passive design is becoming more widely accepted.”

Turner notes the environmental benefits yet to be derived through wider take-up of hydronic under floor heating which is standard in cooler climates.

“It is the normal thing to have boilers under the house heating water and piping through the slab but the Australian community is uneducated on this which is a shame as we have a huge advantage in Australia in that we can take the heat from the sun during the day to heat the pipes. The technology is only gradually becoming more prevalent here.”

Crystal balling Back to our solar savvy builders Steph and Courts who constantly comb the web to find out about the latest building products and advances, and along with others are fascinated by the prospect of nano-crystal spray-on solar technology, already picturing Colorbond roofing sheets featuring the technology.

Recent advances in perovskite could well hasten the arrival. (See story on page 28) Passive design is under construction in suburban Canberra.

Images: courtesy Peter Overton, TT Architecture

Solar Progress | 19

Storage Progress

A new peak body has been launched to represent the growing energy storage industry in Australia.

The Australian Energy Storage Council was established in August 2014 and seeks to advance the uptake and development of energy storage solutions in Australia.

The Australian Energy Storage Council is a national member based not-for-profit organisation and is governed by a volunteer board. The Council will be funded by membership, industry events and training activities.

The founding partner and supporter of the Australian Energy Storage Council is the Australian Solar Council, bringing over 50 years of knowledge along with recent history in organising energy storage focused training courses. However, this new Council will be guided by its membership and the needs of the energy storage sector.

Chief Executive John Grimes explains “Energy storage is a rapidly growing global industry, so it is important that Australia’s players are being properly represented by a professional and dedicated industry body.

“The Australian Energy Storage Council is committed to providing an independent forum to bring together all representatives of the energy storage industry for networking and information sharing.

We aim to connect local and global industry partners in this growing industry.”

Photo by Patrick J. Endres Courtesy Golden Valley Electric Assn.

20 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

The Australian Energy Storage Council will play an important role in creating industry standards and encouraging industry best practice for the energy storage sector.

Mr Grimes says that initially the Australian Energy Storage Council plans to spend time consulting with industry professionals as well as utilities to put together an industry Code of Conduct.

“Our plan is to organise working groups and webinars to unite the energy storage industry.,” Grimes notes.

“Industry standards and ongoing training opportunities for the sector will be a big part of the Council’s mission going forward.”

Varying levels of membership will accommodate larger and smaller industry participants. Members will benefit from policy and advocacy activities, news updates, industry events, networking and training opportunities. Members will have a voice in how this emerging industry will move into the future.

The Australian Energy Storage Council represents companies including technology manufacturers, equipment providers, project developers, consultants, utilities and other energy industry leaders.

More information on the Australian Energy Storage Council can be found on their website at www.energystorage.org.au or contact Lorrae Ingham at Lorrae@energystorage.org.au

Simplicity meets efficiency.

Alexander G., product manager at Bosch Power Tec

For us it’s the details that make the difference.

At Bosch we like to think: What would make your life easier? So our new BPT-S string inverters can be setup easily and fast with a unique RFID “e.Key” card and work with touchless gesture control for easy and reliable operation. The “hard facts” are convincing too: High efficiency rates, up to 4 MPP trackers, and an integrated data logger, just to name a few.

Taking it further, we introduce the BPT-S 5 Hybrid. It combines high efficiency inverter technology and lithium-ion batteries to store the power generated by the solar system.

That’s technology made by Bosch. Read more at bosch-power-tec.com or bosch-solar-storage.com

Storage Progress

Independence day: one step closer Leaps and bounds in energy storage technology today are reshaping the renewables sector of tomorrow. Battery makers are scaling up and boosting momentum at the same time as reducing costs. The reality is home energy storage systems could well be within reach of the average homeowner in just a few years.

A fundamental shift is taking place in the energy sector. One that will further boost the popularity of PV and deliver greater energy independence to more homeowners. And quite possibly give the utilities a headache in the process.

We are of course talking about swift advances in battery technology coupled with the much anticipated scaling up of manufacture accompanied by sharp reductions in prices. It is the ideal scenario for the solar sector, which, despite its enormous popularity among the community, has suffered investor confidence due to the government’s strong anti-renewables policies. But fundamental shifts are taking place that no government can stem.

Turning to some of the figures being bandied around: the energy storage market which is said to be growing at a compound annual growth rate of 8 per cent is forecast to be worth a mighty $US50 billion in 2020, driven mainly by electronics. Transportation applications (plug-in vehicles) will soon over-take but in the slipstream will be solar applications, which as part of the ‘stationary’ sector are strapped in for a fast paced ride from less than $0.1 billion to $1.2 billion in 2020. Subsequent cost breakthroughs will drive the sector to up around $2.8 billion.

These big numbers have already attracted some big players, among them Bill Gates and Warren Buffett who have taken a vested interest in transformational change by backing battery companies, Gates in Aquion Energy and Buffet in BYD. A host of solar module makers, inverter and other solar energy specialists are likewise focused on the widespread application of storage systems.

Daman Cole of Yingli Green Energy says “Given an increasing focus on R&D into energy storage globally and corresponding forecast cost reductions of up to 50 per cent by 2020, we are very optimistic about the impact this will have for households, businesses and the solar PV industry as a whole.”

22 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

He summed up the expectations of the solar sector by stating: “We’re confident that the combination of solar PV and energy storage technologies will provide a fundamental change to the way in which we think, buy and use electricity.”

Today the average cost of a PV system combined with storage clocks in at around $39,000, which places it out of reach for most Australian households. Views differ over the date of systems becoming a viable proposition for Joe Citizen.

Some market analysts suggest the tipping point will be 2018, after which take-up will increase. Morgan Stanley estimates the current cost of 5kW solar panels with a 12.5kWh battery will halve by 2020. That brings it to around $17,500, the equivalent say of a new Hyundai.

Others state the community will “find economic advantage” in solarstorage systems by 2024 under a “moderate technology improvement scenario”.

Much hinges on the speed of battery production and there seems to be nothing “moderate” about the pace of development at Electric Vehicle maker Tesla’s lithium-ion gigawatt factory which on completion in 2020 hopes to churn out 1000 MW or more, a quantum leap on the average battery manufacturer’s annual capacity of around 45 MW. Mass production goes hand in hand with increased affordability.

“If current cost projections for battery storage technology are realised, energy autonomy becomes a tangible reality for Australian homeowners in the not too distant future.”

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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

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Back-Up & Critical power Uninterupted power supply

Storage Progress

A 16 kW PV system and storage provides a hobby farmer with almost all necessary energy supplies

Hear the Li-ion roar In the four years since 2010 the cost of electric vehicle lithium-ion battery packs have fallen 43 per cent and will continue to decline, with Morgan Stanley estimating the cost of lithium-ion batteries will plummet from $250 to $150 per kilowatt-hour by 2020. A “realistic scenario” given Tesla’s gigafactory and that “For every $25/kWh reduction in the cost of lithiumion batteries, we estimate the all-in cost of power to customers falls by about $.01, or about 15 per cent of the residential customer price for grid charges.”

Global investment bank UBS notes lithium-based storage costs currently clock in around 70c/kWh of energy consumed, which is 40 per cent above the cost of grid-delivered electricity in Sydney. This in turn translates to an average cost of 44c/kWh for the life of the systems which “leaves [home energy storage] in the hands of early adopters and hobbyists” however should capital cost fall by just 5 per cent annually, 2018 would mark the time at which storage becomes a cost competitive proposition for the average householder.

SolarHub of activity While analysts debate storage affordability and timing, Benn Masters of SolarHub in Canberra is busy training his team of PV installers and electricians in all aspects of energy storage systems. That’s because he believes independence day is closer, much closer than we think.

Why so?

Masters notes well-resourced global players including Sony, LG and Panasonic are also ploughing research and development into battery storage technology. Once they ramp up manufacturing and volumes – well, we all know the impact on prices in the supply-demand balance.

“I believe that it will take just two years for energy storage systems to become a commercially viable proposition for the average homeowner in urban areas. By then it will be a much more affordable economic investment,” Masters predicts.

“The threshold for widespread adoption of energy storage is around the sub $20,000 mark, the point where it becomes affordable for households and the return on investment starts stacking up. Householders are already looking to hedge against rising energy prices using solar PV systems and energy storage will play a big part in that in the years to come.”

24 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

One of Masters’ bigger customers is a hobby farmer in Yass who has forfeited a new Ferrari in favour of a 16kW PV system coupled with the full suite of smart devices and an energy storage system. Designed to capitalise on solar resources, it is working a treat. During winter the system had drawn and stored enough solar energy to enable the owner to be grid independent for five consecutive days. Given the need to power farm equipment such as bore pumps that’s quite an achievement.

“PV systems are the cheapest means of harnessing energy so we tend to oversize the PV quite considerably to ensure the batteries can be fully charged in the depths of winter. The great thing about on-grid storage systems, as in the case of the Yass resident, is that we can go back to the grid in the event the batteries become too deeply discharged,” Masters explained. “On most days the system in Yass is off-grid for 22 hours and actually feeds a bit back in during the day, which pays for the service charge!”

Masters describes this as a “cutting edge solution” today but with more global players getting into storage the market will develop quite swiftly.

Interesting that the cost of a car is frequently used in the context of home storage. SolarQuip’s Glen Morris who is also gearing up for change likewise commented one of his customers decided to put a shiny new BMW on the never-never list and instead invest in energy storage. The time has come, consumers are edging towards independence, he says. Battery solutions that can rival electricity retail prices and in some cases compete with retailers are arriving in the Australian market, namely batteries with “optimised equipment” which can store electricity in homes for between 23c/kWh to 28c/kWh. If energy can be stored that cheaply, Morris says, it becomes economically viable to invest in a battery system. He commented too on potential for these home power systems to upset utilities’ business models. More on that in a moment.

Solar360 seizes the day Earlier this year Glen Morris provided technical training services to all-Australian company Solar360 which is introducing a number of technologies to make “cost competitive storage” available to its installers.

These include a storage-ready inverter from Chinese supplier SolaX, two sizes of inverter/chargers from Schneider Electric and two lithium-ion batteries from BYD. Having devoted 18 months’ development into a product system that covers the full range of options for energy storage systems, Solar 360 settled for a mid-winter media launch: “Ready to bring Energy Storage Systems on mass to the Australian public.”

Their system which is designed to maximise same day storage helps put to an end the solar export power “hemorrhage in the face of no (or very low) feed in tariffs for exported solar power.” [A typical Victorian customer with rooftop panels will earn around 8 cents for feeding one kilowatthour into the grid during the day, but will have to fork out 33 cents to buy back the same amount after sunset. It is believed some retailers in NSW and Queensland are offering 5.1c/kWh, then selling back to the solar household’s neighbour for 48c/kWh. Ouch!]

The Solar360 packages include plug’n’play storage cabinets ready for existing power systems or new installs and the company is supplementing this with an “integrated solution plan”: consumer insurance programs and technical support and with Morris’s help is training more than 150 industry specialists from 75 companies across Australia.

No mean feat – and as they say “An around the clock home power station is now a reality. We will watch the market reaction with interest.”

Solar360 has also developed a sizing tool to enable sales staff to

Market players Among some of the many other companies moving into the storage space are US module maker SunPower with its residential battery storage project in Australia that could over time become a template for its energy service models around the world.

Several years ago Warren Buffett took interest in Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD which has since diversified into the energy storage market and teamed up with Australia’s Fe Batteries by signing a distribution agreement for its (domestic) home energy storage system ‘DESS’. The 3kW/8kWh single-phase system or 9kW/8kWh three-phase system allows solar PV systems with battery storage module through the inverter seamless input to their local grid.

Melbourne based Selectronic markets SP PRO which is described as a versatile grid feed inverter enabling energy storage via a battery storage system compatible with most forms of renewable energy including DC and AC coupled PV Solar. The company encourages customers to maximise the net feed-in tariff by feeding in virtually all of their renewable energy to the grid. SP PRO in turn minimises homeowners’ solar power consumption by shifting the user’s daytime consumption to a time of low tariff. And that means greater control over power bills.

Meanwhile with more than 120 years in the battery business, Exide Technologies has significantly ramped up annual R&D spend and

assess the best product size range for customers’ circumstances, and a sophisticated online interactive training program. All up a neat fit with the Solar Council’s Solar Gold program, the Best Practice certification program for installers.

Lawyer Lyle De Sousa who was also engaged by Solar360 told Solar Progress “Solar360 is taking a unique step. It has developed a tool that is enabling businesses to help consumers determine their energy needs and to optimise their electricity generation and storage systems.

“What Solar360 is doing I believe is world breaking … it gives everyday energy consumers an understanding of how they can size batteries with PV. I believe they have the distribution network and expertise to bring change,” said the Principal of Legal Energy Lawyers & Consultants.

De Sousa is so enamoured by the system he believes that should Solar360 manage to strike a “certain price point” – the stumbling block being the current battery prices - they could well find a ready market overseas for their Aussie ingenuity. With storage on the rise and with imminent changes to the network tariff regime, the timing could not be better.

Alert but not alarmed The trend toward home energy storage will undoubtedly cause a rupture in the market, says De Sousa. “Changes are taking place that will render the utilities apprehensive about power consumers. Some homeowners are determined to go off-grid but the reality is most need back-up and this will

Solari Energy delivers solar power and backup system to PNG hospital Doug Fletcher’s company Solari Energy recently completed a project on a “crumbling” training hospital near Kiaungi in the depths of PNG. He painted a bleak picture, saying just one of the Ruminagae hospital’s diesel generators was operable, the site had intermittent power, drew water from the local swamp, and had little oxygen for patients. That was before Mining company Ok Tedi stepped in to fund Solari’s installation of a 30 kW rooftop solar installation and 24/7 battery storage in the form of 48 gel lead acid Sonnenschein batteries sourced via Australian importer Exide Technologies. See images.

cause the utilities to change their tariff structures.

“The networks want to recover the cost of assets to a variety of electricity users. If some utilities had their way, chances are those with solar PV and battery storage would be subject to a change in tariffs rendering their alternative energy source less attractive.”

De Sousa expanded on this matter at a recent meeting of the Solar Council’s Melbourne Chapter at which he stated: “the Australian Energy Market Commission has just proposed a new regulatory regime that may provide incentives for solar and storage systems if they contribute to a reduction in peak demand. This is very exciting for the renewable energy sector, and for storage in particular.”

Solar Progress | 25

Storage Progress

investment in laboratory equipment in a bid to “develop solutions for increasingly complex energy storage challenges”. Keep an eye on the company whose operations span 80 countries and which has ambitions to meet the world’s stored energy needs in transportation and industrial markets.

Fronius Energy Package a major step towards “24h sun” vision “24h sun” is Fronius’ vision of how energy will be supplied in the coming decades. Solar, wind and hydro power are key resources in meeting our present and future energy needs. By directly consuming solar energy its levelised cost is already competitive today, therefore making its supply available exactly when it is needed, regardless of the time of day or year would ensure an optimum decentralised supply framework. This is why battery storage of solar energy production is such an attractive idea, that is, if the cost of batteries becomes effective, which most analysis suggest will occur in the next few years.

Despite the many benefits of currently available solar systems, the closer we get to cost effective battery storage, the more likely we are to see home and business owners perceive a higher opportunity risk of investing in solar today in fear of the system being outdated in a few years when storage options become the norm. But waiting for solar storage technology to advance is no longer necessary.

Fronius has developed a future proof solution that allows maximising direct consumption of solar energy with energy management now, with the option of expanding the system and adding appropriate battery storage later when the additional investment cost can be justified.

The Fronius Energy Package includes the first generation of Fronius inverters with battery storage, the Fronius Symo Hybrid. With power categories ranging from 3.0 to 5.0 kW its modular design enables multiple functionalities: the Fronius Symo Hybrid can be used as a normal gridconnected inverter and the battery and emergency power function can be retrofitted later on so excess solar power can be used at times when generating conditions are poor or impossible.

The intelligent solution includes Multi Flow Technology and can therefore decide according to electricity tariffs what is best for the energy bill, either to supply the energy from the panels directly to the appliances in the house, to charge the battery for use later on, to draw power from an existing PV/inverter generator (AC coupled mode) or to feed in or draw from the grid.

If current cost projections for battery storage technology are realised, energy autonomy becomes a tangible reality for Australian homeowners in the not too distant future.

26 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Which battery?

All eyes are on lithium-ion replacing lead acid batteries, which have been on the market for decades, are relatively inexpensive but degrade fairly quickly. Downsides of lead acid batteries are listed as their energy density, inability to reach optimum performance in hot temperatures and the toxic content.

Sony brought lithium-ion batteries to the world in 1990, and today they are used for mobile phones, laptops and electric cars. Strengths of lithium-ion include storage of high amount of energy in a relatively small and lightweight package and ability to charge and discharge thousands of times without losing significant storage capacity But lithium-ion batteries provide short, shallow bursts of energy rather than the several hours’ worth of sustained, lower-power energy demanded by clean power applications. And although lithium-ion provides greater energy density than lead acid batteries they “don’t last that long without degrading”. Costs are set to spiral down.

But do dangers lurk? According to some reports lithium batteries have been linked to serious incidents including flight disasters. Reality or scaremongering?

Richard Turner of Zen Energy Systems forecasts the rise of lithium-ion over the next five years beyond which he believes metal air and super capacitors will be stronger faster cheaper and take over. But there could be another rival.

Bill Gates is backing US battery startup Aquion Energy which is churning out “ultra-simple” low-cost and non-toxic batteries made from salt water, carbon and manganese oxide. The company aims to drop its prices to below $US350 per kWh by the end of 2015 and potentially contain costs to under $200 per kWh by 2020.

The non-toxic nature of the product has caught the attention of Australian philanthropist Rob Edwards of Its Time Foundation, who installs solar energy systems at schools across the Pacific and told Solar Progress these salt water batteries were a good fit with his mission as they are non polluting.

EVs driving momentum Back to where we began with electric car maker Tesla whose gigafactory will benefit solar energy storage the world over. But how soon might we be buying and driving EVs? Not too soon unless you have a lazy $120,000 sitting around, says Steve Blume of NoCarbon.

“In a few years the cost of EVs may reduce to around $60,000 but still we lack the necessary infrastructure [such as topping-up outlets] for them here. It’s a bit like the IT industry – the internet was talked about in the early eighties but did not work properly until 20 years later!

“There is no critical mass for EVs just yet, market take up is probably five to ten years away. Yes EV production is doubling year–on-year but that is on tiny numbers.

People get enthusiastic but EVs are not readily available just yet,” Blume says.

We need to tackle some more immediate and fundamental environmental problems, he said, namely the need to reverse the heavy 70 per cent reliance on fossil fuels to 70 per cent clean energy – and transition within a very short time.

“We will achieve that by driving developments in energy storage and changing the energy system.”

Keeping the sun up after sunset In a market where energy prices keep rising, Bosch has been tracking the trend in attempts to maximise home energy generated by PV. Although many companies quickly developed energy management solutions there are limitations due to evening energy consumption, forcing owners to buy energy from the grid.

Energy storage systems are therefore the more logical answer to supply environmentally friendly PV energy to households during the evening and night.

Countries with high – and continually rising – energy prices are naturally the pioneering markets for such technologies, as each kWh which has to be drawn from the grid means a significant cost increase.

Current studies show that the market for PV energy storage systems will rise with a yearly growth rate of 75 per cent from 2014 until 2017, which will result in a market value of approximately $US18.8 billion. Almost half

of this market is made up of systems for one or two person households.

The slow uptake so far is a result of the system costs, which remain relatively high. Even if manufacturers such as Bosch Power Tec are able to demonstrate economic returns of the system in a reasonable time frame, the market is still reluctant to adopt this technology quickly.

Germany introduced a market incentive program last year to reduce the investment hurdle. At the same time the program assured quality standards as the financial incentive was linked to the fulfillment of a certain technical requirement.

The incentive has been used by more than 4000 households since its inception, proving that such programs help to set the right incentives until economies of scale can be reached.

At the moment, a yearly reduction of 10 per cent of the lithium-Ion battery costs can be observed in the market, which is leading to shorter payback times of PV energy storage systems equipped with this type of battery technology.

According to market studies, every second PV system in Germany will be equipped with an energy storage system by 2017. Besides Germany, Italy will be the next big PV energy storage market. Japan is showing high potential – as is Australia.

Here in Australia, says Bosch, PV energy storage systems already have a relatively strong presence. In the past, premise owners in remote areas unable to be connected to the grid, used off-grid PV storage systems with lead-acid batteries for power during day and night.

Due to increasing energy costs combined with high energy consumption (e.g. air conditioners) modern PV energy storage systems are becoming more relevant for the people in the city as well, who are connected to the public grid.

At the same time, these systems help to stabilise the grid, as they are not feeding high amounts of PV generated energy back into the grid but instead store it in their batteries.

If the feed in energy of standard PV systems is higher than the capacity of the grid, it can lead to grid black outs. As a result, the interest and uptake of commercially sized energy storage systems can be observed in the market. The lithium-ion battery is also showing to be the most powerful and endurable technology in the market.

For both market segments market studies show an annually installed capacity of 10GW until 2020. In the residential market, the uptake of such systems will accelerate over the coming years.

Grid parity for PV and storage systems will soon be reached, that is, the costs of PV generated and stored energy equals the costs of energy supplied from the grid.

At the same time, companies like Bosch Power Tec are working on further developing the Smart Home and energy management concepts.

Energy storage systems with intelligent interfaces like the Bosch Power BPT-S 5 Hybrid can control heat pumps and supply them with energy.

This is a way to transfer electrical energy into thermal energy – another important step into the direction of energy self-sufficiency.

Solar Progress | 27

Solar advances

Printed Power – The development of printed organic solar cells in Australia An amazing race is taking place across the globe, one in which there is intense focus on creating tomorrow’s smart PV systems which are likely to take on an entirely new dimension. But is that just the start? Once tried, tested and proven, commercialisation will be key to getting the sci-fi nature of developments off the ground and onto rooftops. Back to that race and one of its contestants, Dr David Jones, who is spearheading an ARENA funded project into the development of printed organic solar cells.

A number of emerging new thin film solar cell technologies offer the possibility of fundamentally changing our concepts of what photovoltaics are, how they can be used, and how they are manufactured. Many belong to the emerging field of printed electronics.

It is predicted that printed electronics will underpin the major revolution in electronics over the next 20 to 30 years. At the heart of this revolution are new classes of semiconducting materials, including organic and polymeric semiconductors.

The potential impact of printed electronics will cover many traditional areas but reach into new “Smart Objects” or integrated intelligent systems,

Figure 1. Flexible organic displays used in consumer electronics.

which will range over areas from RFID tags, simple batteries, bio-sensors, textile integrate photodetectors, integrated displays, miniaturised diagnostic systems, memories for intelligent or logistic applications and many others. We have, for example, initiated research into integrated sensor arrays with inbuilt communication, power generation and storage systems.

Within the broad field for example, there has been an intense focused effort to develop light organic light emitting materials for use in white lighting and display technologies and recently these have been commercialised, with vacuum deposited small organic molecules based displays entering the market in the display screens of LG™, Blackberry™ and Samsung™ phones (see Figure 1).

These materials are integral to the recently released curved or flexible phones. Key drivers for the introduction of these technologies are their lightweight, flexibility, brightness, contrast, viewing angle and low power usage. As the organic material is the emissive material in these displays the brightness can be varied directly through current change. This eliminates the need for liquid crystal layers, allowing the display to be thinner, reducing power requirements and thereby improving the battery life or reducing the size of battery required for a given recharging specification.

laboratory devices. This compares well with amorphous silicon or multicrystalline silicon solar cells.

The ability to formulate the active materials as inks offers the potential to radically change the method of production of solar cells by using low cost, commercial printing or coating technologies. The low cost organic or polymeric materials can be formulated as inks, and then printed on a range of substrates. We can even spray-paint solar cells, see Figure 2.

So what are organic solar cells? It has only recently been realised that certain organic molecules can act as conductors or semi-conductors as used in tradition inorganic solar cells, and can be either p- or n-type, that is transport positive or negative charge. From a chemical point of view this means that p-type organic materials are electron rich and readily give up an electron and are also called Donors (D), while electron poor type materials which readily accept electrons, also called acceptors (A) are the n-type materials. Two extensively studied materials are poly-3hexylthiophene (P3HT) as a p-type material and a functionalised fullerene, phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM), as the n-type material.

In the simplest organic solar cells a bilayer or heterojunction is formed by layering the acceptor onto the donor, see Figure 3.

Organic light emitting displays (OLEDs) are just the first to market in the new field of printed organic electronics.

If power can be fed into an organic material to emit light, then the opposite is also possible. Light can be absorbed by organic semiconducting materials and power generated, that is we can assemble organic solar cells or organic photovoltaics (OSC or OPV). These organic solar cells have been under investigation since the early 1990s with the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of absorbed light to output power rising from below 1 per cent to now reach over 12 per cent for most recent

28 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

“The long-term goal of the consortium is the development of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with the solar cells printed onto a number of building materials.”

nm

Figure 2. Spray painting organic solar cells using a Sono-Tek™ XYZ ultrasonic spray deposition system.

The mechanism of operation of organic solar cells is different to traditional silicon inorganic solar cells where an inbuilt electric field gradient is set up between the p- and n-type materials and separates charges. In organic solar cells, often called excitonic solar cells, after photon absorption an exciton is formed, this is simply a tightly bound electron-hole pair, which can diffuse through the material. In OSCs, if the relative energy levels of the donor and acceptor materials are matched, the positive and negative charges separate when the exciton reaches the interface between the donor and acceptor materials, the heterojunction.

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Figure 3. a) Typical organic solar cell p-type (donor) material regio-regular poly-3-hexylthiophene (rr-P3HT) and a functionalised C60-fullerene (PC61BM), and b) The mechanism of an organic solar cell, where on photon absorption an exciton (tight electron hole pair) is formed which can diffuse to the D-A interface. At the interface the charges can be separated and transported to the collecting electrodes.

A direct consequence of forming an “ink� from the active materials is that technology transfer to a commercial printing processes should be readily facilitated. The Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium (VICOSC) has been translating the technology from the laboratory to a precommercial process over the past six years. The consortium consists of three research providers, the University of Melbourne, Monash University and CSIRO MSE with four industrial partners, Bluescope Steel, Innovia Security, Innovia Films and Robert Bosch SEA. The consortium has developed an integrated process showing all the steps required to fully print a solar cell module, see Figure 4.

VICOSC has taken commercial materials in its development of an integrated printing process. The long-term goal of the consortium is the development of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) with the solar cells printed onto a number of building materials. The consortium is unusual

with an integrated materials development, device architecture and printing program. This has allowed the consortium to rapidly test new materials and use key process, device and materials performance parameters obtained through the printing program to feedback into the discovery program for new candidate materials development. The new materials, chosen with mind to the printing process are among the highest performing donor materials reported for organic solar cells.

Figure 5. New n-type (donor) materials Unlike tradition inorganic solar can be designed to absorb different parts of the solar spectrum. cells where the semiconductor bandgap is effectively fixed by the material the use of organic semiconductors offers the potential to design in materials properties, see Figure 5.

However, the synthesis of new material for high performance printed organic solar cells remains a significant challenge on a number of levels.

For single materials they must be soluble, stable, absorb visible and near infra-red light, have a high absorption coefficient so that films do not need to be thick, must be semiconductors that carry positive or negative charge, be readily synthesised, have a long lived excited state so that we have time to extract the charges and be non-toxic. At a higher level each material is blended in an ink formulation to give the mixture of p- and n-type materials, therefore further materials properties are required, the mixture must be a) chemically and thermally stable, b) on drying must form a bicontinuous interpenetrating network, c) must have matched energy levels between the p- and n-type materials, and d) the ink formulation must be compatible with industrial OH&S guidelines (industrially acceptable solvent systems). Normally the properties are interrelated and by changing one you can significantly change others making this a challenging materials development program. VICOSC now is one of the world leaders in materials development for printed solar cells.

VICOSC is one of many research groups developing this new technology around the world and is actively engaging with international research collaborators, industrial partners and potential end-users to develop prototypes for testing. In the near future, in conjunction with industrial partners, we will expect to develop the first commercial prototypes. This is a new technology that we are developing to improve performance and durability. BIPV is the long-term goal. Initially deployment is expected to > continues on page 44

a

b

c

Figure 4. a) Printing the Organic Solar Cell active ink, and b) screen printer used to print silver electrodes, and c) the author with a fully printed A3 sized organic solar cell module.

Solar Progress | 29

Solar news and views

Solar crucial to avoid water-related conflict Alamo is a solar power project in Texas that will help the state generate power and conserve water as the drought continues. A new report analysing water scarcity in the power sector identifies PV as a major solution for avoiding water-related conflict.

“There are cost effective things that the power sector can do that would conserve water that will also reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions,” said Paul Faeth, director of energy, water and climate at the CNA think tank’s Institute for Public Research. The first solution the report proposes is energy efficiency, moving from coal to natural gas, and using PV and wind. Faeth says he is “very surprised” that water conservation is not “part of the sales pitch” for PV. The prices for solar are also “dropping dramatically”, making it a cost effective resolution to water scarcity, he added.

“Water conservation is a key benefit of PV and an interest in a very near term, high priority issue,” said Faeth.

For power generation, masses of water is required: an estimated 40 per cent of all freshwater withdrawal in the US is used for thermal cooling.

As water access becomes strained by energy demand, economic and population growth and climate change, CNA released the report ‘A clash of competing necessities’, scrutinising water use in the power sector.

Thermal power generation is heavily dependent on water use, plants have to power down, or completely shut down in drought and heat waves.

The report found that for water removed for processes such as thermal cooling and put back into the local environment, or ‘withdrawal’, coal with carbon capture and storage (CSS) came out

worst, using 4.3 cubic metres of water for every MWh. Nuclear is a close second using 4.2, coal alone uses 2.3, natural gas 1, wind uses zero, and PV uses 0.1 cubic metres per MWh ( panel cleaning only).

The report uses figures from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focusing on China, India, France and Texas as case studies, as there are already challenges on power generation and water scarcity in the regions. China has high agriculture demand (second only to the US), and relies heavily on coal, which requires water for cooling, already experiencing blackouts from a lack of water for cooling. India uses 1.3 billion cubic metres of

Record year predicted for US solar carport market

water a year, with predictions this could be 7

Continued growth in California, New Jersey

explaining that if water is taken from agriculture,

[India] has to start doing something else to avoid

US$843 million in 2016.

water competition that is already happening and

Over 1 GW of solar carports are expected to

we expect to get worse.” In India 52 per cent of

be installed in the US by 2016.

the population live in water scarce areas, with 73

According to a new report from GTM

per cent of electricity generation located in water

Research, the US is expected to add 180 MW

The report, titled “US Solar Carport Market 2014-2018: Landscape, Outlook and Leading Companies,” made note that it would be the fourth consecutive year that over 100 MW of solar carports would be installed in the US. Report author Scott Moskowitz said: “The US solar carport market has historically been driven by solar incentives dedicated to government and educational entities coupled with physical and regulatory limitations for rooftop systems for these customers. With the average system price of solar carports continuing to fall, commercial solar developers can offer increased value to customers in the form of larger project sizes and greater electricity savings.”

30 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Solar is inexpensive in India and a cost effective way to reduce water conflict added Faeth,

be “politically untenable”. “It just wouldn’t work,

total value of the US solar carport market to

another record year for the growing market.

even possible,” said Faeth.

which many are dependent on in India, it would

and Arizona is expected to help boost the

of solar carports in 2014, setting the stage for

billion by 2040. “You have to wonder if that is

stressed areas, with frequent blackouts. Currently While the report noted that California has historically represented more than half of the national market for solar carports, it also stated that new east coast destinations are cropping up. GTM expects that continued growth in California, New Jersey and Arizona will help boost the total value of the market to US$843 million in 2016.

Moskowitz added: “The vendor and developer landscape for PV carports is growing more complex as companies optimise their strategy to meet a challenging pricing environment. In general, developers are moving away from vertical integration to tap into lower cost structural suppliers and vendors are increasing their scope of services to combat falling pricing.”

79 per cent of newly built capacity is scheduled for construction where the water supply is under threat.

Texas is currently suffering from drought, and has already had to take water from farmers to avoid blackouts; the case is now in court in the US. The report found that Texas is likely to meet water and energy demand from new PV, wind, natural gas and energy efficiency, despite the challenges proposed by drought – but the state needs to avoid new coal generation. Texas is now “looking to do more wind and PV, not particularly for climate change mitigation but because these strategies can save water”, said Faeth. http://www.cna.org/sites/default/files/ news/FlipBooks/Competing_Necessities_web/ flipviewerxpress.html

Positive Quality

Positive Quality™ –

POSITIVE QUALITY

TM

Continuous Quality Assurance

A mark of approval to be trusted When anyone buys an item where significant cash is outlaid they expect the product to live up to high standards of quality and endurance. The challenge for most people with PV is the fact that most solar panels look alike. An

• An externally sourced financial report on the manufacturer from a reputable global provider of those services.

This in-depth testing and assessment is done on behalf of Australian

expert eye may probably see the differences, and point them out. By then it

buyers on a random basis four times a year.

might be too late: deal done and for a good price. But how good was the

What are the benefits of joining the Positive Quality™ program?

deal really?

In a new industry, often the only way to select a product is on trust. That trust might be borne out of a short-term reputation and no more. But if the solar panel manufacturer was part of a regular program of quality control and their products had certification to prove it then we have something to place our trust in.

Positive Quality™ is a comprehensive due diligence program undertaken on solar PV panels at the point of manufacture before they are dispatched to the Australian market. For Australian consumers it is a mark of absolute assurance, and a simple way to see that the manufacturer’s quality claims have been independently checked and verified.

A trademark to put your trust in Launched earlier in 2014, the Australia Solar Council’s Positive Quality™ Program is designed to give customers better and more robust information about the panels they are buying.

Solar PV panels coming into the Australian market have already been

• Provides independent validation of your product • Provides you the manufacturer with on-going expert assessment of best practice • Ability to show genuine quality by independent respected organisation the ASC • Improved marketing through the promotion of the program to supporters of the program • Increased customer confidence in your brand and peace of mind • Be showcased as an outstanding industry best practice manufacturer • Be specified in tenders and contracts by PQ™ supporters as “Highly Desirable” • Show confidence to the market and stand out from the crowd

How is the Positive Quality™ program promoted?

This program is a detailed due diligence program for buyers that provides

subject to review processes, which among other things confirmthat an

significant additional assurance to project developers and customers in

international standard body has tested the panels. However, once so

Australia. This is about giving solar PV customers greater peace of mind

approved, such solar panels can stay on the approved list for five years

when choosing solar panels.

without any additional assessment. Critically, this means that what is

Who is the Positive Quality™ program promoted to?

delivered is not actively and regularly checked against what was originally authorised.

This has led some manufacturers to rort the system. The losers are not only the consumers who unknowingly buy lower quality panels, but also those manufacturers who do strive to maintain and exceed minimum standards for their products. The critical issue is to give greater confidence to consumers.

How does the Positive Quality™ Program Work?

World leading manufacturers have already started working with the Australian Solar Council to allow us to conduct detailed assessments on all of their PV panels destined for the Australia. Approved panels will carry the Positive Quality™ logo.

These manufacturers have opened their processes to the Solar Council’s independent expert assessments because they are increasingly frustrated that low quality PV panels are easily sold in Australia as high quality products.

This program gives them an authoritative way to confirm their quality credentials with their customers. Manufacturers are regularly licensed to use the Positive Quality™ logo.

The license is issued following successful testing and assessment which includes: • Detailed check of the international certifications held by the manufacturer • 60 point factory check, including a check of bill of materials, internal

The program has agreements in place with supporters of the program to advocate the Positive Quality ™ modules as a pre-requisite.

Positive Quality™ supporters include Wholesalers, Retailers, Installers, Solar Project Financers, Government Authorities, Councils – local government & associations, Architects, Consulting Engineers - Project Engineers & Project Managers, Electricity Networks & Retailers and the General Public.

Early adopters include Melbourne City Council, Envirosure, Solar Financial Solutions, Environ Arc, Down to Earth Consulting, Brown Falconer Architects, Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA), Energy DNA, and Master Electricians.

Becoming involved is straightforward: Contact the Australian Solar Council. A Non-Disclosure Agreement will be issued, a list of pre-requisite criteria is supplied for verification by the ASC before acceptance to the program, this limits the program to manufacturers who can demonstrate above average competencies; Positive Quality ™ agreement contract; Audit and Testing – four core checks; Listing of your company details on the Australian Solar Council website and Update of PQ™ manufacturers list sent to supporters of the program As a not-for-profit organisation, any revenue raised through this program by the Solar Council is reinvested into supporting the Australian solar industry.

quality control processes, equipment calibration and operator training • A comprehensive battery of tests conducted at random on finished panels before they are packed for shipment to the Australian market

For further information contact: Paul Prince, Quality Project Development Manager, ASC www.solar.org.au, P: +61 0 414 867 802, paul@solar.org.au

Solar Progress | 31

People’s power

Powering independence Cutting the cord with the grid to gain independence from the utilities is on the wish-list for an increasing number of city dwellers, who are keeping close watch on energy storage developments to determine at what stage it may become economically viable to disconnect.

Elsewhere in this magazine we take a look at passive houses, of which it is thought there are a just few hundred in Australia. Rare as hen’s teeth, in other words. Also rare is the number of off-grid city dwellers, despite the growing antiutilities sentiment and desire to sever ties, reduce the carbon footprint, tap into PV and storage and seize more control.

But once the economics and technology scorecards balance out, the scenario could shift considerably toward – well, let’s call it grid independence day.

Already SolarQuip’s Glen Morris has identified a strong move in demand away from PV gridconnected training in favour of battery storage systems – albeit remaining connected to the grid but signaling change. Cashed up customers seek energy independence, says Morris, they want to maximise self consumption by tapping into their

own systems 24/7 without having to buy power from the grid after sunset at higher prices.

Stephen Ingrouille of Going Solar adds that if utilities continue down their current path more consumers will want to switch off. “Individuals want independence, not to be bound by what the utilities are doing and saying,” he said.

“Storage technology is continually improving and as soon as there is a trigger point with lower cost, more affordable batteries, or when power prices shoot up too much, people will start adopting these new technologies. It’s like new toys, they enjoy it.”

For the time being hybrid systems comprising PV and back-up generators represent an intermediate step, with customers remaining connected to the grid.

“But many feel compelled to turn to solar energy because it’s the right thing to do and it

ZEN ENERGY SYSTEMS ALTERNATIVE NETWORK 24 HOUR RENEWABLE ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE THE HOME

C

Developer New Home (A) equipped with a ZEN Solar Home Energy System (B) and the option of a ZEN Solar Hot Water System (C) as the Energy Generation Systems.

B

D E

A

Combined with a ZEN Freedom PowerBank Energy Storage System (D) fully integrated with the Solar Home Energy System (B) and Backup Gas Generator (E).

DEVELOPER SERVICES

THE STREET Local gas tank shared between two streets, providing metered gas supply to the home’s backup gas generator (able to maintain full electrical redundancy).

Generators run infrequently, only for top up of ZEN Freedom PowerBank Energy Storage System in case of inclement weather or excess power demands. Option of providing gas for cooking or boosting of Solar Hot Water System.

Local gas tank to be topped up monthly by developer.

A

DEVELOPER NEW HOME

32 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

B

ZEN SOLAR HOME ENERGY SYSTEM

C

ZEN SOLAR HOT WATER SYSTEM

D

ZEN FREEDOM POWERBANK ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM

E

KOHLER INTEGRATED GAS GENERATOR (GAS GRID)14KVA

would be a far happier solution if the utilities worked more closely with the solar industry,” says Ingrouille, the man dubbed the ‘grandfather of solar’.

Another solar pioneer is Dr Peter Davis. The recently retired CEO of Aurora notes off-grid enthusiasts are often driven by their disconcert over the utilities, but are largely dictated by economics factoring in variables such as the house load and financial budgets thus “Going off grid in the city is about making a business case and storage is key. “ On that score, number crunching by global investment bank UBS on the falling cost of solar and battery storage suggests the average Australian household consuming around 7 megawatt hours could find it cost-competitive to go off-grid by 2018. Current costs for systems would be in the region of $39,000.

“The utilities would be ambivalent if there were significant moves by residents to go offgrid, due to their infrastructure. But there is no doubt that storage is the next big thing, high intensity battery power will revolutionise energy as well as electric vehicles,” Davis told Solar Progress. “That technology is getting closer and while I would not cast it as ‘disruptive change’ just yet, it is around the margins.”

For the time being Davis says off-grid makes more sense in rural areas where the connection cost is somewhat prohibitive.

However urban sprawl could be causing the utilities to rethink their models, says Richard Turner who is Chief Executive of ZEN Energy Systems and is conducting extensive modelling of ‘Alternate Power Networks’, an emerging system that he says could become increasingly economical and change the way we design housing and live in the years ahead.

“Finance models are emerging and the banks are realising that renewable energy is not some weird science.”

People’s power

“Individuals want independence, not to be bound by the utilities. Storage technology is continually improving and as soon as there is a trigger point with lower cost, more affordable batteries, or power prices shoot up too much, people will start adopting these new technologies. It’s like new toys, they enjoy it.”

Alternate Power Networks By way of background: the mandate fifty years ago was to electrify the states by installing as many cables as possible everywhere, which in hindsight is less than ideal given Australia lacks the regional population to support the infrastructure, Turner says. “Pole and wire maintenance is extremely expensive and four

model does not have to impact on their mortgage. They are saying they need to get out of poles and wires especially where there are smaller populations or communities.”

Turner also notes the importance of putting up a financial model whereby residents in other instances do not have to find $30,000+ up-front for a stand-alone system, an amount

utilities are currently involved in bushfire related

that the average person cannot afford. “The

class actions totaling many millions of dollars.”

finance models are emerging and the banks

Today Zen Energy Systems is in discussion

are realising that renewable energy is not

with the major utilities over a different model in

some weird science. During the past twelve

the form of an Alternate Power Network, which

months lots of financiers have come forward.

is particularly suited to housing developments

They are getting it that this is the perfect

along the urban sprawl.

product to finance, that is that residents

“New homes [that are better designed and

cannot afford the up-front cost of stand-alone

equipped with more energy saving devices]

power systems but that over time with finance

tend to require less power than older homes

it makes sense.”

and we have been asked by developers to take them through energy options. These include

Taking charge

a combination of solar PV, storage and small

Steve Blume of NoCarbon agrees, noting several

residential back-up generators, all up costing around $30,000 for an 8kW system.

“With our alternate power network you could take away one utility and run a localised gas network that could provide a gas tank at the end of every second street to supply back-up power for the storage systems. In this way you can build an off-grid residential development that is economically viable over time. (See diagram outlining the alternative power network set up.)

“It would mean the developer could then become the energy retailer and take both income streams – and developers like the idea of becoming utilities.”

Turner says the [energy] retailers can be taken on and that is the future model. “As the urban

finance companies are now offering leases that make power systems more affordable and accessible. “These companies present a contract that outlines the costs and pay back period.

That’s what people want. They don’t want to have to think about power use, batteries, maintenance or switches.”

Identifying a raft of complex issues underlying the desire to unplug and live independently off-grid, Blume says “The bigger issue is about having some control over your electricity prices and forcing people to come to the table and give you a reasonable deal for storage in your house or business as well as a PV system on your roof.

“My view is this type of model will be owned

sprawl increases it makes less sense for poles

by utility companies rather than individuals and

and wires so the alternate networks with local

that is why the leasing model works, it’s an

back-up systems, using different infrastructure

affordable means of securing solar energy and

will be more common.

renewables and storage. Homeowners borrow

“We are finding too that the utilities want the alternate power systems and this new

34 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

the money and get all the upsides, carrying only a little bit of the risk.”

Early adopters stand their ground Situated in the green and rolling hills east of Melbourne is the off-grid co-operative residential community of Moora Moora.

Developed in the 1970s the settlement was well ahead of its time in turning against the utilities. The residents battled to remain off grid despite moves by a power company to “throw lines over the mountain” and connect them. The strong-minded, defiant community demonstrated its resolve by grouping in front of bulldozers. “It was a defining moment in terms of our commitment not to use the grid and to make sure we got as much of our own power using the sun and wind as we could”, says Moora Moora pioneer Sandra Cock.

Think they are brave? Over in Texas the harmonious sustainable living “Garden of Eden” community was threatened by SWAT officers (highly trained Special Weapons And Tactics police officers who generally deal with dangerous criminals) who went as far as handcuffing one of the residents at gunpoint.

There are also reports of a Florida resident housing full off-grid ambitions by installing solar energy, a propane camping stove and rain water tanks to live ‘utility-free’. But in the process violating a code mandating homes be connected to an electricity grid and running water source. She half won the battle, found not guilty of not having a proper sewer or electrical system; but guilty of not tapping into an approved water supply.

In common with Australia the case for “grid defection” in the US today is weak on economic grounds but market analyst Morgan Stanley remarked that higher fixed charges on net metering could be the “tipping point” in moves to grid defection, encouraging more households to link PV systems with, for example, lithium-ion battery storage systems, and cut ties with the utilities.

In a chilling addition the researchers say US utilities are considering changes to net metering and adding monthly bill fees to solar customers in a bid to help cover fixed costs of grid management. Fears abound over the impact on solar viability, but some say such a move could well drive more to fully disconnect.

“The higher the fixed charge required of distributed generation (primarily solar) customers, the greater the potential that customers purchase batteries on a large scale and go completely off the grid,” the report authors wrote.

All eyes then on storage.

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ASC Board

Meet the team: ASC Board members Here we present insights into Solar Council Board members’ backgrounds and industry experience.

President: Steve Blume

president@solar.org.au As founder and CEO of NoCarbon Pty Ltd, Steve Blume creates partnerships to plan, design deliver large-scale commercial and community solar and renewables projects. Steve is a former political adviser and private sector senior executive, policy creator, change management consultant, business manager and public servant. The climate change consultant’s mantra for solar & other renewables is ‘deployment, deployment, R&D, deployment!’ “We have the means to build a 100 per cent renewables future, we simply need the will.”

Vice President: Glen Morris

vice-president@solar.org.au Through his business SolarQuip, Glen Morris has been installing renewables both on and off the grid for over 20 years.

Glen consults for the Clean Energy Council (CEC), is a member of their Standards Training and Accreditation Committee, a member of Standards Australia EL-042 Committee, teaches renewables at various TAFEs, and has been a system auditor for both the CEC and NZ Government. Glen has lived off grid for the past 20 years, currently at one of Australia’s oldest intentional communities in the Yarra Ranges near Melbourne.

Secretary: Geoff Bragg

secretary@solar.org.au Geoff has lived with off-grid solar since the early 90s and has been working in the industry since 2002, holding accreditation for both on and off-grid design and installation. He is a consultant designer/installation supervisor for New England Solar Power (NSW) and currently managing several small commercial PV projects (40 to 100 kWp) and has been presented short courses in New Zealand on PV basics. ”Farming The Sun” is a community project he is involved in. Geoff is NSW Chairman of the SEIA.

Treasurer: Lucas Sadler

treasurer@solar.org.au Lucas Sadler has clocked up 24+ years of direct management experience. His career kicked off as cadet with Coles Myer, later he took on a retail franchise and then transitioned to leading roles in the Energy, Renewable Energy, and Retail and FMCG marketplace across the APAC region. Lucas worked for TRU/Energy Australia and went on to be founding MD of Yingli Green Energy's Australian and Pacific Business. Today he is National Sales Manager for Queensland electrical company Horan & Bird.

Paul Scerri

pscerri@solar.org.au Paul Scerri brings to the ASC 23 years of local and international manufacturing experience, trading experience throughout Asia, Europe & the Americas and the grounding of a global PV manufacture. He has gained extensive experience in Business Development, Client Management, Tendering & Contract Negotiations, Technical Proposal Negotiations, Global Project Management, Manufacturing and Product Design & Development.

Antony Sachs

asachs@solar.org.au Antony Sachs has long been closely involved with the efficient use of energy, the past decade a passionate advocate of RE and need to reduce global carbon emissions. He is a Fellow of Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds an MBA and Chemical Engineering Degree. His current role in business development involves deployment of medium to larger scale solar power systems into the commercial, industrial, utility and government sectors. Antony previously consulted to businesses engaged in commercialising new technologies, novel products and services.

Barbara Elliston

belliston@solar.org.au Based in New Zealand, Barbara Elliston is a director of Elliston Power Consultants, Counties Power Limited and Easy Warm.

A qualified electrical engineer, Barbara’s background includes corporate governance, strategic development, product development and start-ups in renewable energy both solar thermal and solar photovoltaics. Previous roles in “big-energy” electricity networks include directorships with Genesis Energy and Transpower, and in power management with Comalco NZ. The entrepreneur is currently launching a Hot PV™ solar hot water product using solar PV to heat water.

Gabrielle Kuiper

gkuiper@solar.org.au Gabrielle Kuiper’s current role is Senior Policy Officer with the NSW Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Energy & Water Consumers’ Advocacy Program (EWCAP). She was previously Senior Adviser, Climate Change, Energy and Environment in the Office of the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP; Head of Environmental Sustainability at the ANZ Bank; and as the Climate Change Professional Fellow in the US Department of State. Gabrielle fills the casual vacancy created by Robert Ellis’s resignation from the board.

Daman Cole

dcole@solar.org.au Daman Cole is the Managing Director for Yingli Solar in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific – and the newest addition the ASC Board. Daman is passionate about the renewable energy industry, especially the application and integration of active renewable energy systems into the built environment. With exposure to AuSES dating back nearly 20 years, and involvement in the commercialisation of evacuated tube systems from early 2002, his focus is on ensuring the sustainable growth of the industry and building and supporting the standards which will protect it into the future.

Note: Having spent more than a decade contributing, Bill Parker decided not to stand for re-election to the Board. His commitment to the industry over the decades - and which continues - is well recognised and appreciated.

36 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

BPT-S 5 Hybrid

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Industry comment

Australia’s real energy problem: Too many useless coal generators Australia has too many coal fired power stations, 75 per cent of them well beyond their working life but their owners are refusing to shut them down. There is currently 7 GW of excess capacity, and yet there is no energy security risk in closing much of this.

Giles Parkinson discusses the issue as seen by AGL Energy.

To read mainstream media and listen to the political rhetoric, you’d think Australia’s energy problems could be summed up like this: the country is about to install unnecessary and costly renewables in an already oversupplied market. So, it should stop doing so. At least, that’s how the fossil fuel industry and the federal government have been spinning the story.

But the problem is actually the other way around: Australia has too many dirty coal-fired power stations that have operated way beyond their working life, and their owners are refusing to shut them down.

That is the assessment, not of environmental groups (although they would no doubt agree), but of the largest privately-owned power generation company in the country, AGL Energy. “(About) 75 per cent of the existing thermal plant has passed its useful life,” AGL Energy economists say in a new research paper. But they note that the generator owners do not want to shut them down because it is too expensive to do so. “At present, there is around 7 GW of surplus capacity in the NEM. The system is relying upon ageing baseload coal-fired generation.”

China and India impose strict emission standards In the world’s two biggest electricity markets – China and the US – the governments have found an effective way of getting rid of dirty old coalfired power stations that have operated past their useful life: they have legislated against them by imposing strict emissions standards.

Australia does not even have emissions standards. Some fairly light ones were imposed and then removed when the carbon price was introduced.

Now the carbon price has gone too, and if the fossil fuel generators had their way, all energy efficiency and renewable energy policies would be gone as well. Instead, the fossil fuel generators have got their hand out for more money. They want payments for closure. In the meantime, they have pushed for Australia’s Renewable Energy Target to be wound back or scrapped altogether, so that their earnings are not affected in the meantime.

The more renewable energy that is in the system, the lower the wholesale price falls. Independent analysis has shown that coal generators could earn an extra $10 billion or more if the Renewable Energy Target is scaled back or dumped. What should be happening is that market regulators should be ensuring that coal generators are retired at the end

Australia’s excess baseload capacity – 7000 MW According to AGL Energy, Australia currently has around 7,000 MW of excess baseload capacity – some of it sitting around in mothballs and some of it operating at much reduced capacity. (AGL has previously said around 10,000, while the energy market operator reckons around 9,000 MW, or more than one third of the current base load capacity is surplus to requirements).

The maths are simple: It doesn’t cost the coal plant owner much to put the coal-fired power station into mothballs, but it does cost a lot to close it down permanently – somewhere in the region of $100 million to $300 million.

The overcapacity is the result of what AGL Energy economists describe as “the trends arising from dynamic inconsistency and policy uncertainty.”

In short, that means that the fossil fuel generators have been so successful in playing one side of politics off against the other, that carbon pricing, renewable energy and energy efficiency policies are in a constant state of flux. And none of the coal generators wants to be the first to exit the market, in case they miss out on a rebound in prices – when that happens. Better, instead, to gang up on wind and solar, or convince the government to come up with a new mechanism.

AGL Energy, itself, has bought an old clunker recently – the 40-year old Liddell coal generator that was part of Macquarie Generation. AGL, however, got this and the neighbouring Bayswater generator for such a good deal it effectively valued Liddell at zero. It will run the plant till the Tomago smelter is due to close in 2017, or earlier if needed. Or later if the market changes.

AGL Energy has advocated for various forms of policy changes to facilitate the exit of old coal generators – including payments for remediation, or possibly “capacity” payments, that could come in various forms.

It has argued against the “energy only” markets that have characterised the National Electricity Market, although this debate is also taking hold at international level. Most international agencies have rejected the arguments for capacity markets, describing them as another form of subsidy for fossil fuels.

Read the conclusion of this important story at Solar Progress Online (http://solar.org.au/sponline/)

of their normal life. This would allow renewables to compete in an even market – on a new build basis, wind and solar would likely get financing more easily than coal or gas. As the ANU’s Andrew Blakers pointed out last year, if all the fossil fuel capacity was retired at the normal time and replaced by renewables, Australia would be close enough to 100 per cent renewables within two decades.

38 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Giles Parkinson is founding editor of Renew Economy www.reneweconomy.com.au This story is published with kind permission of Giles Parkinson at RenewEconomy.

neweconomy Tracking the next industrial revolution

Solar products services

Enphase Energy Launches World’s Only Fourth-Generation Microinverter System Enphase Energy is now shipping its fourth-generation Enphase® System in Australia and New Zealand. The new M215 and M250 Enphase Microinverters offer the world’s only fourthgeneration microinverter technology, optimised for higher-power modules.

Both microinverters operate by sending bi-directional data to the Envoy Communications Gateway, with recently-added Wi-Fi option.

The Envoy connects to the Enlighten software platform to deliver a new standard in solar system intelligence and reliability.

Enphase Energy’s market-leading technology has been well received in the Australian and New Zealand markets, with the product installed on a host of high-profile, landmark sites.

Nathan Dunn, Managing Director, APAC, for Enphase Energy said: “Following a fantastic market entry in 2013, our latest product evolution represents the global pinnacle in inverter quality, performance and reliability.”

Enphase M250 Microinverter: Optimised for high-power solar modules, the M250 Microinverter produces 250-Watts rated AC output power and pairs with modules up to 310W. Enphase M215 Microinverter: The fourth-generation M215 Microinverter produces 215-Watts rated AC output power and pairs with modules up to 270W. Both the M250 and fourth-generation M215 are rated at 95.7 per cent EU efficiency and have been built to withstand the harshest environmental conditions. They are IP67 rated and have undergone over one million hours of testing in extreme temperature and humidity environments prior to launch; a level of quality testing and assurance unprecedented among microinverters.

The new Enphase System continues to be supported by an industry-leading 10-year warranty.

The new fourth-generation Enphase M250 Microinverter is available now, with the M215 to be released in October 2014, via authorised distributors in Australia and New Zealand.

Visit enphase.com/au and for training on the M250 and M215: enphase.com/au/training/.

Visit Enphase at All Energy 2014, Melbourne, October 15-16: Enphase staff will be present at the RFI, AMI, and Solar + Solutions booths at All Energy and staging workshops: Transforming Solar Energy. Redefining Partnership; Capturing More Value – Lifting the Limits on Commercial Solar; and Enphase Energy Micro Meetup.

SOLAR PROGRESS ADVERTISERS’ SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Attention HVAC Companies – New Patented Treatment to increase COP ReneSola Australia has partnered with a major North American Provider of Proprietary Refrigerant Side Energy Solutions for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC). ReneSola Ltd (NYSE: SOL), a leading brand and technology provider of solar photovoltaic products, has announced that their Australian division will partner with a leading energy solutions provider Enviro Energy Savers who are the inventors, developers and providers of a unique refrigerant side energy solution.

The system is designed to specifically respond to refrigerant-side efficiency losses, claimed by industry authority ASHRAE to be as high as 30 per cent.

Although ReneSola remains focused on the core business of manufacturing and providing PV products to the international market place, our Australian team is leading the way in growing its market beyond PV. ReneSola will now move into the HVAC market by partnering with Enviro Energy Savers in the sales and distribution of its globally recognised product EnviroTemp Refrigerant Side Energy Solutions following its vision to be a complete renewable energy company.

Enviro Energy Savers, based in the USA, manufactures the only proprietary product that can overcome refrigerant side efficiency losses in existing equipment. Such losses, which have been documented over decades of studies by industry authority ASHRAE can be as high as 30 per cent within the first few years of a HVAC unit life. In most cases, a single installation of EnviroTemp directly into an existing refrigerant circuit (regardless of its age) will improve the system’s efficiency. When installed into a new unit, EnviroTemp can help prevent such refrigerant side efficiency losses. Improved efficiency means lower energy use and better comfort and performance.

Taking the world by storm, EnviroTemp is being used by some of the world’s most notable businesses which have reported energy savings as high as 18 per cent. ReneSola is proud to become a major partner of Enviro Energy Savers in the sales and distribution of EnviroTemp throughout initially our Australian market.

ReneSola as a leading publicly listed brand, and technology provider of solar PV products. Leveraging its proprietary technologies, economies of scale and technical expertise, ReneSola has tried and tested EnviroTemp both in-house and with 3rd party HVAC installation companies in Victoria and Queensland. The results have been astounding with sales kicked off, even prior to the official launch. ReneSola is a Tier 1 manufacturer as certified by Accelios Solar Gmbh & Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

ReneSola projects can be found ranging in size from a few kilowatts to multi-megawatts in markets around the world, including the United States, Germany, Italy, Belgium, China, Greece, Spain and Australia. The next phase for the company is to dominate the HVAC market.

For more information, please visit www.renesola.com or call 1300 700 788.

Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council 40 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Smart installations reduce project costs

The project cost benefits of the Fronius Symo are demonstrated in the following scenario: Scenario: 30 kW commercial rooftop system using 1x competitor’s 27.6kVA inverter VS 2x Fronius Symo 15kVA inverters Assumption: Upfront inverter cost of 2x Symo 15kVA is greater than

In the price competitive solar market, the ‘dollar per watt’ of modules and

competitor 27.6kVA string inverter The module used in the scenario has the following properties:

inverters is an important factor in determining the cost of solar energy production estimates. In Australia, where for the last few years residential

Maximum Power (Pmax)

250 W

solar has dominated total volume installed, it has been quite common for

Module Efficiency

15.40%

purchasing/procurement managers to compare products based on upfront

Maximum Power Current (lmp)

8.32 A

costs while overlooking potential balance of system savings. Focusing only

Maximum Power Voltage (Vmp)

30.1 V

on reducing cost of equipment can however result in poorer quality, less

Short Circuit Current (lsc)

8.87 A

reliable and even unsafe installations. Especially for larger systems, due to

Open Circuit Voltage (Voc)

37.5 V

scale and level of investment, a different approach is essential. The goal

Maximum Series Fuse Rating

20 A

should be to reduce the overall project costs without sacrificing safety or

Values at Standard Test Conditions STC (AM1.5, Irradiance 1000W/m2,

reliability.

Cell Temperature 25°C)

The Fronius Symo 10-20 kW was designed specifically to optimise project

Question: Is using a single conventional 27kVA inverter from another tier

costs by improving performance and reducing balance of system (BoS) cost

1 manufacturer more cost effective than using two Fronius Symo 15kVA

while maintaining maximum inverter reliability, system uptime and safety.

SnapINverters?

Analysis: 30kWp installation

Fronius Symo 15kVA

conventional 27kVA inverter

Fronius Symo 15kVA (under 600V)

conventional 27.6kVA inverter (under 600V)

Inverter

2 x Fronius Symo 15 kVA

1 x 27 kVA inverter

2 x Fronius Symo 15 kVA

1 x 27 kVA inverter

Inverter MPP voltage range

320-800V (200V min input Voltage)

500-800V (360V min input Voltage)

320-800V (200V min input Voltage)

500-800V (360V min input Voltage)

Inverter nominal AC Output

30kVA

27.6kVA

30kVA

27.6kVA

String sizing (str x pan)

Inverter 1 [3 x 20] Inverter 2 [3 x 20]

Inverter 1 [6 x 20]

Inverter 1 [5 x 13] Inverter 2 [4 x 13]

Inverter 1 [9x13] – Output power limitation due to current

DC generator size

30.0 kWp

30.0 kWp

29.25 kWp

29.25 kWp

Inverter Utilisation (DC/AC)

96%

107%

104%, 84%

106%

DC isolators - roof

6

6

9

9

DC isolators - inverter

0

6

0

9

String fuses

0

12

N/A

18

Monitoring

Integrated

Additional cost

Integrated

Additional cost

String combiner box

N/A

N/A

N/A

Required as number of strings exceed number of inputs

DC isolator costs@$85/DC isolator

$ 510

$ 1,020

$ 765

$ 1,530

String Fuses cost @$12/String fuse

$0

$ 144

$0

$ 216

Monitoring

$0

$ 950

$0

$ 950

String combiner box

$0

$0

$0

$ 100

Restricted access cost

$ 400

$ 400

$0

$0

Additional BoS Total

$ 880

$ 2,414

$ 765

$ 2,796

Additional BoS Total (c$/W)

2.9 c/W

8.7 c/W

2.6 c/W

Fronius Symo Cost Savings

10.1 c/W

$ 1,534

$ 2,031

5.8 c/W

7.6 c/W

Conclusion

redundancy that helps to secure uptime. The analysis of the above scenario

The Fronius Symo’s ability to communicate with the user, electrical consumers, the service agent and the grid makes it one of the smartest inverters available. With the Fronius SnapINverter design it is also one of the lightest and easiest to install. The wide input voltage range and two MPP trackers ensure design flexibility and cost savings. The AS/NZS 5033 compliant integrated DC isolator improve safety and cost. With two inverters vs one inverter the system in the scenario also has a level of

shows that the potential cost savings when choosing Fronius SnapINverters like the Fronius Symo 15.0-3 M are significant and can even amount to up to 35 per cent of the upfront costs of the inverter It is demonstrated that up to $2,000 in BoS costs can be saved in a 30 kW commercial installation.

All prices indicated in analysis are market price estimates only. Formal price indications should be sought from appropriate equipment suppliers.

Further information www.fronius.com.au

Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council

Solar Progress | 41

Solar products services

SolarMax introduces P series inverters in Australia SolarMax’s new SolarMax P series string inverters are designed for roofmounted systems on family homes and multiple dwellings. These inverters have been optimised to deliver maximum energy efficiencies of up to 98 percent using a highly efficient HERIC® topology making them an optimal for installations of up to 5 kW. SolarMax’s 4000P, 4600P and 5000P devices have two Maximum Power Point trackers that can be operated in dual and single tracker modes. With a dual tracker, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations can draw the highest yields from roof tops and support an odd number of installed solar PV modules. Yield losses from partial shading can also be minimised with the use of dual trackers.

Owners will be able to connect external energy counters using an S0 interface to intelligently control any switchable electrical loads, monitor energy consumption or reduce exported energy within the limits.

The SolarMax P inverters are cooled passively and heat generated during their operation is dissipated vertically. The lack of external fans will increase the reliability of units and decreases any noise emitted during operation.

Using Plug&Play, the performance of a PV installation can be monitored by simply connecting the system to any commercially available internet routers using an Ethernet interface. The performance of these inverters can also be reviewed with MaxView, a web and app-based application which allows energy yields to be read from any location.

SolarMax P series inverters are Battery Ready and can be upgraded without replacing the inverter with the addition of a P-Battery upgrade kit.

SolarMax inverters have a five year standard warranty which can be extended by up to 25 years. These inverters are certified for use in Australia and accredited by the Clean Energy Council.

For further information, visit www.solarmax.com.au

SOLAR PROGRESS ADVERTISERS’ SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL

Yingli Solar demonstrates off-grid solar system capabilities A school in Laos that had no prior access to electricity has become one of the first beneficiaries in Asia to receive a 3 kW off-grid solar power system through a joint collaboration between Yingli Solar and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), the Young Men’s Christian Association of Singapore (YMCA Singapore) and Rezeca Renewables.

Working together with its community partner, MyLaoHome Hotels & Villas, the group installed the 3 kW system donated by Yingli Solar to a school that serves over 100 students from several villages in Ban Lad Khammune. The off-grid solar energy system will provide power for LED lights and fans to cool up to five classrooms and to further power projectors, audio-visual systems and any additional equipment needed for classrooms.

The school had previously relied on diesel generators and a small amount of hydro power generated from small streams. However, the high cost of diesel, coupled with the need to ventilate the school with fans in a humid climate, meant an off-grid solar power system was vital to improve the students’ learning environment.

Yingli Solar contributed a JS-SPS-3000 off-grid solar power system. It demonstrates how off-grid solar can be used by remote communities that are not connected to the grid. Daman Cole, Managing Director of Yingli Green Energy in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific said, “Yingli Solar is honoured to be part of this initiative. This project demonstrates how renewable energy can improve the lives of remote communities and reflects on our commitment to improve the lives of people around the world with affordable green energy.”

With guidance from Yingli Solar and Rezeca Renewables, NTU student volunteers planned the wiring of the school, conducted English language and Environmental Awareness Programs for the students and also installed the lights and fans for the school.

The off-grid solar power system comprises 12 x 140 W photovoltaic modules, a 12V/250AH lead-acid battery and an inverter to convert solar power. Electricity generated from the system can be used to power LED lights, televisions, air conditioning, washing machines and desktop computers.

Cole added, “The demand for off-grid solutions for remote communities in Australia is expected to grow in the future as communities search for energy independence. This project is a good example of how solar power can support the everyday lives of people.”

Further information on 1300 309 489 or visit yinglisolar.com/au

Opinions expressed on these pages are not necessarily those of the Australian Solar Council 42 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

High achievers

ASC’s first Fellow Member The Solar Council would like to congratulate

Nayar told Solar Progress it was a “Rare honor

Professor Chem Nayar who was recently

to be the first and only person nominated as an

conferred Fellow of the Council (FASC). The

ASC Fellow. Really it is a big personal honor.”

title of Fellow is earned by those who have contributed substantially to the solar industry through outstanding service in research,

He also commented on the importance of the title for his business Regen Power.

“Recognition as a Fellow of the ASC is very

development or innovation – and Chem

valuable especially now with the industry in so

Nayar who is internationally acclaimed for

much turmoil and with confidence suffering due

his contribution to renewable energy and sustainable development ticks all three boxes.

Chem Nayar is Emeritus Professor of Curtin University and the founder of WA based

to government policy and the Renewable Energy Target being under the microscope.”

Nayar added that his involvement with ASC dates back to the early ‘90s when he was on the

Regen Power. His innovative hybrid energy system technology combining a variable speed generator with solar and wind power has been patented and is widely used for its efficiency

ANZSES Board and which back then was more of an academy.

Over the years he has delivered keynote

and fuel saving. His companies have to date

addresses at numerous international

contributed to installing more than 25 MW

conferences, presented over 150 conference

of solar power on residential and commercial

papers and co-authored 90+ refereed articles

buildings. Regen Power is now exporting

and several book chapters and still found time to

expertise to India, confident of tapping into that

supervise 20 PhD and more than 12 Masters by

vast emerging market.

research students in the renewable energy field.

> continued from page 29

be rolled out in new areas as the performance and durability are shown to match intermediate product requirements, whether in active packaging or advertising, consumer electronics or remote power generation. The consortium has developed an open access printing facility and is further looking to engage with printers and end users to commercialise the technology in Australia.

However, the technology landscape is rapidly changing. Recently a new materials class, the perovskites, have taken the research community by storm. From being introduced as sensitisers in an alternative technology, the dye sensitised solar cell, perovskites are now used as the core semiconductor material in solar cells. The research efficiencies have risen from less that three per cent two years ago to be now approaching 20 per cent. These efficiencies rival those of traditional silicon technologies.

Perovskites have a general formula of ABX3, where in this case A is a methylammonium, B is lead and X is iodide, see Figure 6.

Figure 6. Perovskite (ABX3) have changed the face or thin film solar cell technologies with efficiencies now approaching 20 per cent in the laboratory. (Image ACS 2014#).

The perovskites, organic-inorganic hybrids, are soluble and can also be formulated as inks, therefore can be considered as drop-in materials for a printing program. The performance of these materials in solar cells has

44 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

Back in 2012 Nayar – who has held academic and industry appointments in India, Singapore and Australia – picked up the ‘Career Achievement Award’ by Australian Committee for Power Engineering and in 2011: ‘Sustainable Energy Industry Excellence and Innovation Awards’ in both the Ambassador and Product and Technology categories.

Regen Power is currently shortlisted for another prestigious national technology award.

Professional membership of ASC The Solar Council’s newly introduced individual membership categories are: Graduate (GMASC) Professional Member (PMASC) and Fellow of the Council (FASC).

Members are encouraged to apply or upgrade their existing individual membership.

Visit: http://solar.org.au/join-the-solar-council/ individual-membership/

“Efficiencies of printed perovskite solar cells have already been reported above ten per cent. This is an extraordinarily rapid advance and relies on the know-how developed in printing organic solar cells.” surprised both the research and the industrial communities and therefore there is an intense international effort to understand and rapidly translate this new technology to a commercial product. Efficiencies of printed perovskite solar cells have already been reported above ten per cent. This is an extraordinarily rapid advance and relies on the know-how developed in printing organic solar cells.

The VICOSC consortium has developed an extensive know-how in printed solar cells, and has an open access printing facility. We can print both organic and perovskite solar cells. The consortium is actively developing these new technologies and is further looking to engage with printers and end users to commercialise the technology in Australia.

The project is valued at $7,200,000 of which ARENA is funding $1,760,000.

Based at the University of Melbourne, Dr David Jones is Project Coordinator of The Victorian Organic Solar Cell Consortium.

New Zealand & Pacific Solar Council New beginnings for an old chapter. The New Zealand and Pacific Solar Council is being revived and refreshed and already association founders have identified a number of programs to help advance the scope and professional standing of solar energy in the wider region.

An initiative is underway to unite the solar sector in New Zealand through the formation of a New Zealand-based sister entity to the Australian Solar Council.

To be known as the New Zealand & Pacific Solar Council, this will be a separate entity but with a similar mission and goals of the ASC, namely to advance the interests of the solar industry to the benefit of the community at large. At the same time, the Pacific island nations could benefit from the economies of scale that a regional network of solar experts could bring to bear.

The NZPSC will be based in Auckland – the world’s largest Polynesian city.

As solar pioneer and association co-founder Barbara Elliston said, the formation of the association is timely, given New Zealand is experiencing a period of significant growth in solar installations, albeit from a low base1.

The prospect is also looming of a significant uplift in the amount of solar energy which needs to be implemented within the Pacific island nations, not only to reduce the importation of

“The prospect is also looming of a significant uplift in the amount of solar energy which needs to be implemented within the Pacific island nations, not only to reduce the importation of oil-based fuels for power generation, but also to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the island states.” response to market feedback that has identified the need for a forum enabling electrical safety inspectors a common platform to assist with electrical safety inspections, due in part to New Zealand not requiring PV installer certification – indeed all registered electricians can legally install PV in New Zealand.

The ASC will be contracted to provide all secretariat and back office support to NZPSC, and the two entites will team up on development initiatives wherever practical. This avoids duplication and enables both parties to benefit from each other’s knowledge and resources.

oil-based fuels for power generation, but also to

Stepping up

significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Solar Progress spoke to association co-founder and solar pioneer Barbara Elliston of Easy Warm about the work underway in forming the association.

“The critical item is to find establishment board directors and luckily we have identified some leaders in their field and who are actively extending the reach of solar energy in the region,” she said. “Big picture thinkers who have ‘solar’ and ‘Pacific’ on their radar and who we know will make many positive contributions on the Board of the NZPSC. “Once we have established the full quorum for the Board we will hold our first meeting and focus on developing material and programs for solar specialists including installers in the region.

This will include training and accreditation and with their approval we plan to tap into some of the Solar Council’s existing programs.”

for the island states.

At the SIDS (Small Island Developing States) Renewable Energy Forum held at the end of August in Apia, Samoa, Pacific nations raised significant interest in ‘capacity building’ – to build the capacity of the nations to help themselves.

This is a role that a regional network of solar experts would meaningfully contribute towards, and would build on the significant amount of solar support that New Zealand (and Australia) is extending into its Pacific neighbours.

Shaping the NZPSC The constitution of the NZPSC is similar to the ASC, and membership categories will be similar but with the additional category of ‘PV Inspectors’ for individual membership. This is in 1A

useful link to track this growth is provided by the New Zealand statutory body the Electricity Authority: http://www. emi.ea.govt.nz/Reports/VisualChart?reportName=GUEHMT&categoryName=Retail&reportGroupIndex=4&reportDispl ayContext=Gallery#reportName=GUEHMT

Elliston added that there were many New Zealand based solar specialists involved in ground-breaking developments in solar energy technology and applications. “In terms of solar energy there is enormous potential to do a great deal more in this vast region which covers a sizeable amount of the globe and is one that stands to lose the most under global warming.”

Stay tuned for more and keep a look out for the NZPSC website which is nearing completion.

A significant slice of history Not many suns ago, the Australian Solar Energy Society Limited trading as the Australian Solar Council celebrated a significant milestone: its 50th Anniversary.

For a significant period up to this anniversary, the organisation was known as the Australian and New Zealand Solar Energy Society (ANZSES).

New Zealand’s split from this trans-Tasman organisation occurred just prior to a period of exponential growth in the Australian solar energy sector, accompanied by a significant level of industry development. The growing maturity of the Australian industry led to significant innovation in installation practices, engineering lessons, sales and marketing, and last but not least, disruption to the power sector and rising issues with integration of solar PV into local power grids. While this occurred, the New Zealand membership base of ANZSES disappeared into the ether.

Revival is now underway.

Solar Progress | 45

ASC Staff

Meet the Solar Council Team In this issue of Solar Progress we introduce you to team members dedicated to Solar Council programs and events which are designed to support the growth and development of the solar community.

Anna Washington – Executive Assistant to CEO John Grimes, anna@solar.org.au 0409 802 707

Dong Lin – China Region Manager, dong@solar.org.au 0412 953 647 Dong who is fluent in English and Mandarin provides technical support and manages the relationship between the Solar Council and its Chinese/Taiwanese members and partners. He is now leading technical aspects of the Positive Quality program. Dong holds a Ph.D and majored in Photovoltaics in the University of New South Wales.

Joanna Joustra – Business Development Manager joanna@solar.org.au 0402 938 401

Joanna is responsible for Solar Council membership, marketing, project management of Solar Progress Online, advertising for Solar Progress magazine and the coordination of events. With previous leadership positions in event management, publishing, local government and the arts Joanna has a proven record of establishing highly effective relationships that support growth initiatives. Joanna lives in an off-grid, solar powered home at Moora Moora Coop in Healesville in Victoria.

Kirsty Anantharajah

kirsty@solar.org.au 0411 415 442 irsty provides support for various Solar Council Projects.

K However, her primary role is managing sales for Solar 2015.

She liaises with Solar Council clients to tailor packages and sponsorships to best suit their needs. Throughout the year she works with the Solar 2015 team to ensure that our Event grows, expands and lives up to its reputation of the mustattend industry Event.

Laurie Kane – IT & Project Manager laurie@solar.org.au 0448 550 270

Laurie Kane has worked for the Solar Council for over three years managing websites and IT systems, and is Project Manager for SolarPlus PV design and sales software. Based at Moora Moora Coop in Healesville in Victoria, Laurie enjoys living off-grid with an AC-coupled system and hot PV system.

Lorrae Ingham – Business Development Manager, Australian Energy Storage Council lorrae@energystorage.org.au 0411 407 514 www.energystorage.org.au Lorrae has spent more than a decade in the clean energy sector. She commenced her career at the Business Council for Sustainable Energy in 46 | ISSUE 3 • 2014

administration and events before moving to environmental certificate agent Green Energy Trading. Lorrae has spent the past five years managing clean energy industry trade exhibitions including three years with All-Energy Australia and more recently two years managing the Solar Conference & Exhibition.

Paul Prince – Quality Product Development Manager paul@solar.org.au 0414 867 802 Paul manages the Soalr Council’s Quality Programs: Positive Quality™ which provides detailed expert oversight of manufacturing processes in the PV industry and beyond and Solar Gold™, the industry best practice program for solar installers and retailers. Paul has experience in a variety of businesses types from the early start ups in the solar industry through to national organisations in manufacturing, electrical, solar, LED, voltage regulation, PF Correction & Renewable technologies.

Sharon Oliver – Event Manager Solar 2015 sharon@solar.org.au

0418 202 870

Sharon has joined ASC as organiser of the Solar 2015 Exhibition and Conference in Melbourne taking place on May 13-14 at the MCEC. Sharon has held a series of managerial jobs and is recognised for her organisational skills. With a strong background in accounting, Sharon has had extensive budgeting knowledge.

Spiro Stefanatos – Accountant

accountant@solar.org.au 0419 422 327 Spiro provides the accounting and bookkeeping support for the Solar Council including monthly reports, staff payroll management, BAS and IAS with the ATO. He also provides information and liaison with the Council’s auditors to complete Annual accounts and audit. A Certified Practising Accountant, he has worked in both government and private enterprise specialising in small business reconstruction. Spiro’s experience extends to accounting software conversion, setup and ongoing support; he is an accredited consultant for MYOB, Xero and Reckon accounting software.

Wayne Smith – Government Relations Manager wayne@solar.org.au 0417 141 812 Wayne is a political strategist who helps shape and develop Solar Council tactics to maximum effect. His recent efforts have been focused on the Save Solar campaign (in relation to the RET review) which has smartly targeted coalition held marginal seats. A professional lobbyist and policy advisor, Wayne plays a wider role in guiding Solar Council policy and presenting industry submissions together with the CEO.

Roll up, roll up … to Solar 2015 Diary note: When: Wednesday May 13 and Thursday May 14, 2015 Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

WARNING - DO NOT BE MISLED

The only genuine Solar 2015 Exhibition & Conference.

Your industry show, supporting you and the Australian solar industry

Sponsor and attend the only genuine Solar 2015 Exhibition & Conference

The solar industry’s annual bona fide event, where the Australian Solar Council presents the leading edge on matters of solar policy, industry, market updates and professional development.

Premium face-to-face exposure: Attracting more than 4000 real buyers – not tyre kickers – the ASC’s annual event is the solar industry’s standout show.

Among the top line-up of invited speakers are: Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne; Shadow Minister for the Environment, Mark Butler; Doug Fletcher of Solari Energy; Solar Council Chief Executive John Grimes; Save Solar campaign strategist Wayne Smith; and SolarQuip’s Glen Morris.

Up to 120 more speakers will take the podium to present the latest developments in policy directions, scientific and technical developments.

Proud sponsors of the Industry and Policy Days and Professional Development Day are Enphase Energy Australia and AC Solar Warehouse.

The Solar Council is pleased to announce Solari Energy is the Platinum sponsor of Solar 2015.

Bigger and better than ever – covering all solar systems

Regrettably a former conference partner plans to stage a competing event (‘Solar 2015 Conference and Exhibition’) also at the MCEC, and just one week before the Solar Council’s bona fide Solar Conference and Exhibition.

The alternative group is contacting past exhibitors and delegates and seeking to benefit from the ASC’s valuable reputation. This conduct is considered unlawful and the ASC is taking all action available to prevent this type of activity.

Be advised: The ASC has NO relationship with this former partner and will not be involved in that event – we urge you to do likewise.

The ASC needs to ensure customers and industry members are not deceived into assuming there is any connection with the above event.

ASC’s valued industry members and supporters are urged to continue the strong and loyal relationship by attending the genuine Solar 2015 Exhibition & Conference.

Note: Should you see advertising, or be contacted by an organisation purporting to be conducting a Solar 2015 styled conference or exhibition, please inform us by emailing admin@solar.org.au and take no other action.

If you are involved in any facet of Energy Storage, Solar 2015 is your essential industry event.

Become part of the Energy Storage wave at Solar 2015, which will present dedicated energy storage training free of charge. Join our Energy Storage Pavilion, and take up one of our dedicated Energy Storage Sponsorships to ensure your brand really stands out.

PV, LED, SHW, Storage - now is the time to grab our Early Bird Exhibition and Sponsorship rates – see below.

Extended payment is also available for early bookers. Visit www.solar2015.com.au to download a copy of the Early Bird Prospectus and for more information.

Early Bird Rates are now available. Contact: Kirsty: 0411 415 442 kirsty@solar.org.au Sharon: 0418 202 870 sharon@solar.org.au

Thank you for supporting the Australian Solar Council event that in turn supports the domestic solar industry. All proceeds are reinvested in solar advocacy and development of the local market.

Solar Progress | 47

ASC Corporate Members Issue 3 – 2014

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

Diamond Members Greenbank Environmental

Silver Corporate Members

Alternergy Power Systems Australia Pty Ltd

R F Industries Pty Ltd

BYD Europe B.V.

ReneSola

Hareon Solar Technology Co, Ltd

Rheem Australia Chromagen

DKSH Australia Pty Ltd

Energy Matters

Gold Corporate Members Apricus Australia Pty Ltd

Enphase Energy Inc ®

Skybridge

Solar Depot Pty Ltd

Solar Freedom Australia Pty Ltd

Solar Inception

EnviroGroup Solargain PV Pty Ltd

Go Energy

Solar World WA

Green Energy Trading Solari Energy Pty Ltd Infinity Solar

Lishen

L&H Solar + Solutions

Shanghai JA Solar PV Technology Co Ltd

SOLIMPEKS

Trina Solar (Australia) Pty Ltd

Yingli Green Energy Australia Pty Ltd

LG Electronics Australia Pty Ltd MaxiSolar Pty Ltd

SunPower Corporation Australia

True Value Solar ZNSHINE Solar

Stage a presence in Solar Progress Solar Progress is the flagship publication of the Australian Solar Council.

Delving into cutting-edge developments from the nano-scale to big solar, and industry solar advocacy to commentary and all in between, the magazine is created by and for the solar community. It is your industry magazine.

A snapshot of Solar Progress: • Four issues a year • Circulated to 5000 solar specialists across Australia • Read by up to 18,000 industry devotees Solar Progress is circulated to manufacturers, distributors, installers, designers, project managers, politicians, engineers, consultants, and the increasingly aware consumer. Firmly positioned on the radar of the entire solar community, Solar Progress is the ideal vehicle in which to promote your company service or product.

Branding boost Solar Progress Online – extend the reach of your marketing budget.

Companies signing up now for a full-page advert in Solar Progress will enjoy the benefit of a free online ad in Solar Progress Online, the Solar Council’s news and industry section of www.solar.org.au. Your online ad will make your marketing dollar go further with increased visibility and links directly to your website. With online exposure at 16,000 page views/month, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

To participate, contact ASC Business Development Manager, Joanna Joustra on 0402 938 401 or email Joanna@solar.org.au

Joanna Joustra is your contact for advertising in Solar Progress, now syndicated with the ASC website. With previous leadership positions within the publishing and events industries Joanna has a proven record of establishing highly effective relationships that support growth initiatives. Joanna lives in a solar powered home in an off grid co-operative.

Solar Heroes The Solar Council would like to acknowledge these prominent supporters whose generous donations have contributed to the strength of the Save Solar campaign. Visit www.savesolar.com.au to find out more and see the RET feature on pages 8 and 10.

SAVE MONEY. SAVE SOLAR.

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