PV Best Practice Lifting industry standards Hip to be solar Major developments driven by ASI Roaring down the highway of the PV roadmap The fast-moving solar industry needs to mature 07/11 Winter The Official Journal of the Australian Solar Energy Society ISSN: 0729-6436
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
PV Best PracticeLifting industry standards
Hip to be solarMajor developments driven by ASI
Roaring down the highway of the PV roadmapThe fast-moving solar industry needs to mature
07/11Winter
The Official Journal of the Australian Solar Energy Society
ISSN
: 072
9-64
36
THE FUTURE OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Innovation and flexibility in an ever-changing environment
FHW
1_DP
S-ADE
1118
10
SMA‘s inverters and monitoring systems for photovoltaic applications are designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany to guarantee first class quality and cutting-edge technology. As global market leader SMA Solar Technology AG has been contributing to continual improvement in the solar industry for the past 30 years. SMA has been bringing these advances to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific for several years. We are consistently driving technological development further while building on success, and at the same time we react to rapidly changing requirements. We are developing the trust of our customers every single day through a culture of open dialogue. We are always one step ahead of market demands while staying true to our values.
SMA-Australia.com.au 1800 SMA AUS
THE FUTURE OF SOLAR TECHNOLOGY
Innovation and flexibility in an ever-changing environmentFH
W1_
DPS-A
DE11
1810
SMA‘s inverters and monitoring systems for photovoltaic applications are designed, engineered and manufactured in Germany to guarantee first class quality and cutting-edge technology. As global market leader SMA Solar Technology AG has been contributing to continual improvement in the solar industry for the past 30 years. SMA has been bringing these advances to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific for several years. We are consistently driving technological development further while building on success, and at the same time we react to rapidly changing requirements. We are developing the trust of our customers every single day through a culture of open dialogue. We are always one step ahead of market demands while staying true to our values.
SMA-Australia.com.au 1800 SMA AUS
2 | WINTER 2011
Bill Parker Greg Combet
If you are a newcomer to Solar Progress, welcome! The magazine you
are holding was first published in 1980 and has been reporting on the
research and the development of solar energy technologies and the way
our society can use solar energy.
Now we are witnessing the development of an industry that many
thought was long years away. Not so. We have seen the beginning
of a satisfaction of a strong public demand to make a contribution to
electricity generation.
The use of photovoltaic cells to generate electrical power is
certainly not new to Australia but until quite recently it was a niche
application in telecommunications and navigation. Now it’s a
suburban rooftop phenomenon.
This issue is devoted to PV in its various forms and is dedicated to an
industry that, five years ago, was not a major player in our economy. Now
it is. But that said, there is always room for innovation and here you will
find the innovators and the changers.
Of course PV is not the only solar technology, nor is it standing in
isolation, and in subsequent issues we will be taking an in-depth look at
not only other technologies and ways we can passively use the sun’s heat
and light but also the way this will transform the way we live.
In our next edition which will be circulated in October, we feature the
world of big solar thermal projects, dishes, troughs, and energy storage.
If you are not a member of the society, I urge you to become one, page 4
gives all the details. And better still, if you have something of substance
to tell our readers, let me know and I will be happy to guide you.
Happy reading
Bill Parker
Editor
For over 30 years Solar Progress has informed its growing readership on
the evolving research, development and application of solar technologies.
I congratulate the Australian Solar Energy Society on relaunching print
editions of Solar Progress, with interest and development in the solar
energy sector continuing to grow strongly.
As the Australian Government engages with the community on the
best ways for Australia to make the transition to a clean energy future,
informed publications like Solar Progress will have an important role in
education and analysis of developments across the industry.
The Australian Government is committed to putting into place key
reforms to tackle the threat climate change poses to our way of life, our
economy and to our future generations.
The most economically efficient way of cutting pollution and driving
investment in new, cleaner energy sources like solar power is to
implement a market mechanism.
Under a carbon price, demand for clean energy technology will grow
because it will become cheaper relative to the current cost of burning
fossil fuel for electricity. It will also provide greater certainty for investors
in cleaner energy options and complement the Renewable Energy Target.
Current technologies are helping Australia move towards a clean energy
future but by putting the right incentives in place we can unleash further
innovation, create new jobs and encourage more investment.
Clean, renewable energy is fundamental to the de-carbonisation of the
Australian and global economies. It is not only vital to reducing our
pollution but must be an important factor in the long term sustainability
and security of our energy supply.
The Australian Government has a long history of support for research,
development, commercialisation and deployment of solar energy
technology and we will continue to do so.
Greg Combet AM MP
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Printed using FSC® mixed source certified
fibre by Printgraphics Pty Ltd under ISO
14001 Environmental Certification.
SolarProgress | 3
Contents
SOLAR PROGRESSPublished by CommStrat for Australian Solar Energy Society Ltd.
EDITORDr Bill Parker, AuSESPhone: 0403 583 [email protected]
CONTRIBUTORS: Brian Callaghan, John Grimes, Warwick Johnston, Glen Morris, Nigel Morris and Wayne Smith.
CONTRIBUTING EDITORNicola Card
EDITORIAL ASSISTANCESimon Sharwood
NATIONAL SALES MANAGERBrian RaultPhone: 03 8534 [email protected]
GENERAL MANAGER, COMMSTRAT ASSOCIATION SERVICESSimon [email protected]
ART DIRECTORTim Hartridge
GRAPHIC DESIGNERMonica Lawrie
PRODUCTION MANAGERRussell Montgomery
COMMSTRAT MELBOURNELevel 8, 574 St Kilda Rd MELBOURNE Vic 3004Phone: 03 8534 5000
COMMSTRAT SYDNEYLevel 12, 99 Walker St NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2060 Phone: 02 8923 8000
AUSTRALIAN SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY LTDCEO John GrimesPO Box 148, Frenchs Forest NSW 1640www.auses.org.auABN 32 006 824 148
The Australian Solar Energy Society is a not–for–profit association that traces its history back to 1954.ISSN: 0729-6436
It is the Australian branch of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) based in Freiburg, Germanywww.ises.org CommStrat ABN 31 008 434 802 www.commstrat.com.au
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 publisher or AuSES. While every effort is made to check the authenticity and accuracy of articles, neither AuSES nor the editors are responsible for any inaccuracy.
Solar Progress is published in July, October, January and April.
8 12
2432
16
34Solar societyWelcome: Solar Progress Editor Bill Parker and
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet ...2
AuSES CEO John Grimes ...4
AuSES State Branch reports ...28
Technical talkPV Best Practice: John Grimes announces
the next big step forward ...12
Building integrated PVs:
By Warwick Johnson ...16
DC circuit breakers: Glen Morris ...38
Special featuresHip to be solar: ASI’s Mark Twidell lends
insight into industry research ...8
Magnetic force: First in a series: Magnetic Island ...32
SilexSolar’s success: Rod Seares takes
us on a whirlwind tour of SilexSolar ...34
Focus on concentrators: A top level
ANU research team is shaping the
future of domestic energy supplies ...42
Industry comment
PVs & FiTs: Nigel Morris
reviews the landscape ...22
Stirring support: Wayne Smith on THAT rally ...24
Solahart: Brian Callaghan
on what matters ...26
NewsMilestone solar developments ...6
Resources & linksKey solar events ...47
AuSES corporate membership list ...48
Solar associations ...48
4 | WINTER 2011
Membership of the Australian Solar Energy Society
The Australian Solar Energy
Society has existed in Australia
since the early 1960s. Since those
days it has attracted engineers
and scientists with an interest
in solar energy in its broadest
applications. Whilst the emphasis
of research and development
has changed, the society can still
claim to be the place where the
minds meet.
The society has amongst it
members some of the world’s
significant figures in the
development of solar energy.
Every year, at the society’s
annual conference there is
the opportunity to meet these
people and network with like
minds. At branch level in all
capital cities , there are regular
events, newsletters and activities,
including a new mentoring
program for young men and
women starting a career in solar.
Two things happen when you
become member: one, you support
the society’s work and two; you
join a network of experts and
enthusiasts in solar energy.
That network is the oldest one
in Australia and stands for an
authoritative position on the
history and future of solar.
Whatever your interest in solar
is, the society welcomes you,
wherever you live.
Visit www.auses.org.au/membership
for more details.
Bring back the magazine
When I first took up the position of AuSES
CEO and was introduced at our annual
conference in Sydney 2008, the thing I heard
most often as I spoke to members was ‘bring
back Solar Progress in hard copy!’ Well it has
taken a bit longer than I had hoped, but we
finally got there!
I am sure you will agree that the new look
magazine, developed in partnership with
CommStrat publishing, reflects the vibrancy
and activity of our fast paced industry, and the
diverse interests of our members.
As you may have seen over the past month
there has been a lot more going on than
just the relaunching the magazine. Most
significantly AuSES took on the lead role of
protecting the reputation of the solar industry
and the rights of solar customers in NSW.
I am pleased to say we had a big win,
and we were able to effectively block legislation
what would have stripped $470m from solar
customers in that state. We were also able to
secure an additional 40,000 solar installations,
which have been vital in keeping the industry
ticking over while a replacement scheme is
designed. Among all that I am really pleased
with how the magazine has turned out, in
large part due to the commitment of our
Editor Bill Parker.
Whether you are a solar researcher at one
of our universities, selling solar components, a
solar installer, a solar owner or just a supporter
of this marvellous technology and industry,
I hope you find Solar Progress an invaluable
resource going forward.
Regards,
John Grimes
CEO, AuSES
COVER IMAGE: The concentrating dish system at Hermannsburg (Ntaria) in the Northern Territory, west of Alice Springs concentrating
dish system was built in 2005 by Solar Systems (now a subsidiary of Silex Ltd). The total capacity of the system is 192kW, which
provides about 35% of the community’s daytime peak electricity requirements. The CS500 system uses Sun Power PV cells and each
of the eight dishes has 112 curved mirrors that focus the sunlight on to a central receiver. Five hundred times sun concentration is
energy-intense enough to melt steel, therefore the PV cells in the solar receiver are mounted in a way that allows efficient dissipation
of thermal energy as well as extraction of electricity. A closed-loop cooling system across each plant enables the PV cells to operate at
optimum temperatures and rejects heat into nearby wastewater ponds. This arrangement provides additional evaporation from the
ponds to reduce the need for overflow pumping. The dishes track the sun from sunrise to sunset.
Free inverter!
DO YOU KNOW OF A SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY BASED INSTITUTION WORTHY OF AN INVERTER VALUED AT $2000? New Zealand based EnaSolar – the only inverter manufacturer in NZ – is kindly donating a
2kW inverter to a worthy recipient. Send in 120 words* explaining why a certain school or
community group should receive an inverter and be in the running to have one delivered to
them at no cost.
*Contact your Australian based EnaSolar distributor or alternatively Alan Booth, Business
Development Manager EnaSolar Ltd, 66 Treffers Road, Christchurch 8042, New Zealand
DDI +64-3-364-9328 | Mobile +64-27-663-2368
[email protected] | www.enasolar.net
6 | WINTER 2011
News
Solar MILESTONES
Kogan Creek Australian Solar thermal plant approved
AREVA Solar has been awarded a major
contract to install a 44MW solar thermal
augmentation project at a 750MW coal-fired
power station in Queensland, representing
the world’s largest solar/coal-fired power
augmentation project.
AREVA Solar’s Australian-pioneered
Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR)
technology will be installed at CS Energy’s
Kogan Creek Power Station.
Construction of the solar boost project is
scheduled to begin soon, with commercial
operation planned for 2013. The AU$104.7
million Solar Boost Project represents the
largest deployment of AREVA’s solar thermal
technology in the world and will generate an
additional 44,000 megawatt hours of
electricity per year.
AREVA Solar CEO Bill Gallo commended
CS Energy on its commitment to low carbon
energy production and adopting renewable
energy options to produce cleaner electricity
from an existing coal-fired power station.
“The application of AREVA Solar’s Australian-
pioneered technology to this utility scale project
affirms its far-reaching potential to provide
cost-effective, turnkey solutions,” Gallo said.
CS Energy Chief Executive David Brown said
the Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project was an
exciting development for CS Energy.
“The Kogan Creek Solar Boost Project will
generate additional electricity to help meet
Queensland’s growing energy demand,” Mr.
Brown said. “By using energy from the sun with
AREVA’s solar booster application, we will make
the coal-fired plant more fuel-efficient and
reduce its greenhouse intensity – avoiding the
emission of 35,600 tonnes of CO2 annually.”
The innovative solar project will use AREVA’s
CLFR superheated solar steam technology to
boost the power station’s steam generation
system, reliably increasing its electrical output
and fuel efficiency.
This will be achieved by supplying additional
steam to the power station’s turbine,
supplementing the conventional coal-fired
steam generation process.
The Kogan Creek Power Station is located in
Queensland’s south west corner, a site ideally
suited for a solar thermal system due to its
good solar insolation.
AREVA Solar’s CLFR technology is water-
conservative and the most land efficient
renewable energy technology available. The
solar steam generators and accompanying
system are expected to occupy approximately
30 hectares of land within the current
boundaries of the CS Energy site.
Up to 120 jobs will be created during the
project’s peak construction period.
AREVA will build and operate a
manufacturing facility to support the Kogan
Creek Power Station Solar Boost Project. The
new manufacturing facility will serve as a
gateway to support future solar thermal
project developments in Queensland, a key
global solar market.
Note: The Kogan Creek plant builds on
the work done by Solar Heat and Power Pty
Ltd (subsequently AUSRA) which originally
developed the Compact Linear Fresnel
technology at the Liddell Power station in
NSW with a 6.5MW pilot unit in 2004. A
larger CLFR complementary plant at Liddell
was announced in 2010.
www.kogansolarboost.com.au
Australia joins the big solar league
Two of the largest solar power stations in the
world – at Chinchilla in Queensland and Moree
in New South Wales – will receive more
than three quarters of a billion dollars in
Federal funding. Solar Dawn and Moree Solar
Farm have been selected as the two successful
consortiums to build the power plants under
Round 1 of the government’s $1.5 billion Solar
Flagships program. The Federal Government
will contribute $464 million to the project in
Chinchilla – valued at an estimated $1.2 billion
– and $306.5 million towards the project in
Moree, worth an estimated $923 million.
Together, the projects are expected to
generate enough power to support the
electricity demand of more than 115,000
Australian homes per year.
SOLAR DAWN The Solar Dawn consortium will build a
250MWe solar thermal gas hybrid power plant
near Chinchilla in south-west Queensland. It
will be one of the largest power plants of its
kind in the world as well as one of the most
environmentally responsible. At least 85%
of Solar Dawn’s power generation will be
emissions free. The consortium is a synergy of
different enterprises, led by Areva Solar, and
including Wind Prospect CWP (a UK based,
employee owned company), and CS Energy
(also involved in the Kogan Creek project).
The consortium is also partnering with the
University of Queensland.
www.solardawn.com.au
MOREE SOLAR FARMThe Moree Solar Farm consortium, led by
BP Solar, will build a utility scale 150MW
photovoltaic power plant near Moree. This is
nearly twice the size of any photovoltaic power
plant operating in the world today.
Independent power producer FRV is the
majority equity holder in the consortium.
BP Solar will be acting as the Engineering,
Procurement and Construction contractor
for the project, and will retain a minority
The series of far-reaching solar announcements in
recent weeks have gained significant political and media
attention. Here we review developments of interest and
importance to those in the wider solar community.
SolarProgress | 7
equity stake in the project. Pacific Hydro,
one of Australia’s leading renewable energy
businesses, will also be holding a minority
shareholding in the project.
Work will commence in 2012 and the
plants are expected to be completed and
commissioned by the end of 2015. When
completed, the Moree Solar Farm will comprise
around 650,000 PV panels and produce
enough power for around 45,000 households
(or roughly a town the size of Darwin), leading
to an annual displacement of around 400,000
tonnes of CO2.
www.moreesolarfarm.com.au
Key Independents and Greens listen to solar industry’s concerns on Carbon Report
In Canberra in June key Independents Tony
Windsor and Rob Oakeshott together with
Deputy Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne
publicly confirmed they were listening to the solar
industry in light of their concerns regarding the
Productivity Commission Research Report: Carbon
Emission Policies in Key Countries, May 2011.
“The Productivity Commission understates
the emissions abatement from solar power by
using first-grade mathematics which assumes
every solar power system in Australia is 1.5kW
in size,” said Ged McCarthy, President of the
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
“They then overstate the subsidy provided
to solar power by guesstimating that 50% of
generated solar power attracts a feed-in tariff,
whereas a 1.5kW system typically only receives
a premium on 17%-28% of their generation.”
John Grimes who is CEO of the
Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES)
added “The solar costs used by Productivity
Commission are nearly twice what they
currently stand at, and are still falling
rapidly. These costs are then compared to
the wholesale electricity price, ignoring the
electricity transportation losses that are
avoided with distributed power.”
McCarthy points out that today almost half
a million Australian homes have a solar ‘power
station’ on their roof, protecting themselves
from rising energy prices, and says “Every
Australian family that invests in solar must be
guaranteed that energy retailers will pay them a
fair price for the clean energy they produce.”
The benefit of roof-top solar will again be
realised during summer when air-conditioner
use creates peak demand, Grimes says.
“Solar users will help prevent blackouts
and energy cost spikes but they must be
paid for what they provide. Tony Windsor,
Rob Oakeshott and The Greens understand
this, now we need leadership from Prime
Minister Gillard.”
New Consumer Guide to solar PV published
Long time AuSES member and renewable
energy consultant Trevor Berrill has produced
a long awaited consumer guide to domestic
PV. With Which Energy, Trevor covers all of the
commonly asked questions and more. If you are
spending some thousands of dollars on a roof
top system it will pay to better inform yourself
before you sign up.
www.whichenergy.com.au
The future makers: short movie
Why not tune in to www.thefuturemakers.
com.au and view some leading Australian solar
success stories, including the PV dept at UNSW
and their role in Dr Shi and Suntech’s success,
David Mills, solar thermal and AREVA and
Keith Lovegrove at ANU with his solar thermal
ammonia separation technology.
“Solar users will help prevent blackouts and energy cost spikes... Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and The Greens understand this, now we need leadership from Prime Minister Gillard.”
Image © Mark Graham
8 | WINTER 2011
Solar insights
Hip to be solar
‘Plasmonics for high efficiency Photovoltaic Solar Cells’ may not sound like the most
fascinating topic for the youth of today. But Mark Twidell,
Director of the Australian Solar Institute (ASI), thinks
this kind of innovation can be a lure for young people
embarking on their careers.
Twidell is familiar with the Plasmonics project
thanks to the ASI’s oversight of a $150 million fund to
support a series of research projects in photovoltaic and
concentrated solar thermal technologies.
The Plasmonics project, which is being driven by young
researcher Dr Kylie Catchpole at the Australian National
University, was recently featured on ABC TV’s New
Inventors, Twidell told Solar Progress.
The invention was greeted with considerable
enthusiasm on the program and Twidell feels that kind of
reception awaits other entrants to the industry.
“People enter the solar industry and tend not to leave
because it is exciting and thrilling and provides the
opportunity to do something rewarding, enjoyable and
meaningful,” he says.
ASI wants to help those entrants along. Half of its
funds have already been committed and, given the pivotal
role performed by the Institute, the ASI often sees some
of the most exciting break-throughs in solar research.
The Plasmonics project is one such effort and has
received $1,610,000 in ASI funds, with the cash helping
to fund a dozen post graduates joining forces with several
leading European research institutions in a concerted
effort to increase the light captured by thinner (thus
cheaper) layers of silicon through the use of plasmonics,
thus reduce the cost of PV electricity.
“If we can add thirty percent efficiency to the existing
conventional photovoltaic technologies without adding
to the cost it will be a huge breakthrough,” Twidell said.
Meantime, stay tuned for news of the official opening
in Newcastle of one of the world’s largest solar air
turbine facilities...
In another significant undertaking, the ASI has
committed just over $3 million to support a Round 2
research project at CSIRO in collaboration with Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries Japan which boasts a century’s
experience in gas turbine technology.
The project mission: to reduce the cost of concentrated
solar thermal (CST) electricity by increasing the efficiency
of CST systems through higher temperatures at the
receiver while at the same time reducing capital and
operating costs.
“The CSIRO is developing a new way to drive the
electricity generation process by using the sun’s energy
to feed hot compressed air into turbines,” Twidell
explained. “Such a system could be used in remote desert
locations where water is not freely available, that is we
could generate electricity directly from the sun heating
the air that goes into a conventional gas turbine
generation cycle.”
“Australian research teams need to grow in
a sustainable manner ... so it comes back to
funding, supporting early stage PhDs and
post doctoral fellows, fostering industry collaboration and
creating a pipeline of people that can add to
the growth.”
The Australian Solar Institute’s R&D portfolios
might just make solar a cool new career for hot
young talent, if Director Mark Twidell has his way.
He tells us why he is optimistic.
Image © Chris Samundsett/ANU
SolarProgress | 9
Given CST’s ability to store heat and generate
electricity after sundown, a sister project supported by
the ASI is underway at the CSIRO that focuses on the
development of storage technologies, ‘Development of
Advanced Solar Thermal Energy Storage Technologies for
Integration with Energy-Intensive Industrial Processes and
Electricity Generation’.
In more recent developments, $3.3 million of the
Round 2 grants program has been channelled into a
$10.7 million project involving researchers at the ANU
working with Trina Solar, one of the world’s largest
manufacturers of solar cells, to develop low cost and high
efficiency Negative (N)-type solar cells in a bid to increase
the efficiency of solar cells by a further 10 per cent.
“On top of the obvious benefit of reduced
solar energy costs, we are getting our expertise on
the world map and we are securing our spot in the
world’s fastest growing energy sector,” Twidell says.
“I am confident if we can continue to fund excellent
research then Australia will continue to play a major
role in solar energy developments.”
In many instances project development involves
an opportune mix and match of global talent, aptly
demonstrated by last year’s announcement of a
collaborative venture with the US Department of
Energy which the Australian Government, through the
ASI, is funding to the tune of $50 million that aims to
address the big challenges to reduce material cost and
increase efficiency.
It is one of ASI’s many major objectives to get that
program up and running this year, and with the recent
Speed and delivery of Big Solar
With Round One of the Solar Flagships program now complete, in mid
June there was an announcement confirming two large-scale solar
plants to be commissioned before the end of 2015: A CSP consortium
providing 250MW capacity and a PV plant delivering 150MW. These
high-output plants propel Australia’s renewable energy sector into
new territory.
Seven proposals were shortlisted and the successful projects at
Chinchilla and Moree are being funded by a range of mechanisms
in addition to the Commonwealth capital grant, including private
debt and equity, with some form of purchase agreement within the
Australian electricity market for lifetime of project.
But whether the investment frameworks and the government
legislation are capable of attracting significant and long-term local
and overseas interest is “an area of debate and opinion”.
“It’s fair to say the renewable energy target in Australia creates a
legislative framework to deliver twenty per cent renewable energy
by 2020 [but] the trouble with large-scale solar today is it still costs
more than wind which sets the market price for renewable energy
so to finance a project and find someone to buy the electricity that
delivers a rate of return that makes economic sense is a challenge,”
Twidell explained.
“It is difficult to attract investment for any product in a marketplace if
it costs you more to deliver that product than you can sell it for.
“The big challenge for large-scale solar is to get the costs down by
lowering material costs and increasing efficiency so the cost of the
product is more in line with what the market will pay.”
The road to solar
One question on the minds of many is the ability of Australia’s ageing
electricity infrastructure to take large inputs of solar electricity. With
population clusters around the east coast, our grid differs widely from
those traversing Europe or North America.
“It is well recognised that if solar energy is to meet up to a quarter of the
country’s energy needs in the next forty to fifty years then significant
investments in grid structures are necessary.
“Upgrades are required just to meet peak demand, over the next
couple of decades billions of dollars have been forecast to upgrade the
electrical infrastructure,” Twidell said.
“The proposition that distributed solar (generating solar electricity
locally) avoids the need for infrastructure and investment is still to
play out as smart grid technology and distributed storage become more
prevalent. It’s still a very attractive hypothesis at this stage, which
programs such as Smart Grid and Solar Cities are looking to investigate.”
“Fundamentally the
sun is part of the
Australian culture and
that flows through to
people’s support and
intuitive belief we should
be doing more with it,
generating clean energy
of the future.”
Image left: Dr Kylie Catchpole
and Dr Fiona Beck at the
Australian National University
Image © Chris Samundsett/ANU
10 | WINTER 2011
Solar insights
“It is difficult to attract investment for any
product in a marketplace if it costs you more to
deliver that product than you can sell it for ... The big challenge for large-scale solar is to get the costs down by lowering
material costs and increasing efficiency so the cost of the product
is more in line with what the market will pay.”
cut-off date for EOIs, proposals are being evaluated with
a view to awarding contracts later in the year.
Synergies are clearly defined, as Twidell demonstrated:
“Organisations in the USA such as NREL (National
Research Energy Laboratories) have facilities that are
not available in Australia, while we have world leading
researchers who are not necessarily available in their
specific fields in the US so this collaboration combines
excellent facilities and excellent researchers.”
Another of the ASI’s major objectives is to execute
Round 3 R&D funding with a focus on CSP technologies.
Risk and rewardWith a portfolio of over two dozen projects under its
belt, what key lessons have been learnt by ASI?
“Having a culture of supporting high risk which may
or may not deliver the goods is critical. If we try and
eliminate the risk at the beginning, by definition we will
not be supporting the types of projects that are necessary
for innovation and ultimately increased use of renewable
energy,” Twidell explained.
“To deliver the sort of breakthroughs required to enable
large-scale solar to compete with energies like wind we
need a bold approach where we look at the success of the
portfolio without being too critical.”
Harnessing talent is another linchpin.
Human resources“Australian research teams need to grow in a
sustainable manner and you cannot automatically do
ten times more than you did in the past without first
developing the people and the succession plan and the
capability. So it comes back to funding, supporting early
stage PhDs and post doctoral fellows, fostering industry
collaboration and creating a pipeline of people that can
add to the growth.
“Last year we announced funding for eight people
completing PhDs and post doctoral study and we are
planning to do more this year.
“A key part of our proposition is to bring together
researchers and industry. There are many examples of
projects where as a result of ASI funding we are bringing
together Australian researchers and industry and in some
cases those researchers are potentially being offered
small amounts of equity and incentives if commercial
opportunities eventuate.”
Nevertheless he identifies a “huge challenge” in
ensuring the necessary skills and abilities exist to deliver
clean technologies to the world within four decades to
power its economies.
Manufacturing It is estimated one fifth of all jobs in the solar
industry are in the manufacturing sector, and despite
the increasingly competitive cost of solar PV panels
(benefitting Australian consumers more so than
manufacturers) Twidell says there is significant value to be
captured in manufacturing.
“We are trying to capture the value in technology
by investing in research and development that can be
demonstrated and licensed to global supply chains.
“Regardless of whether products are manufactured
in Australia or overseas there is a high value component
for Australia through development and licensing,” says
Twidell who expresses guarded optimism over the future.
Future landscape“It’s fair to say solar energy is politically benign, it’s got
a huge level of support, fundamentally the sun is part of
the Australian culture and that flows through to people’s
support and intuitive belief we should be doing more with
it, generating clean energy of the future.”
A key element of the ASI’s forward strategy is
knowledge management and dissemination of project
learnings and the success of Australian researchers. An
activity that will heighten awareness of and processes for
managing high risk projects; presenting a track record
of fostering research and collaboration creates the
reputation required to attract future partners – financiers
included.
“One of the learnings we can already take from
the Solar Flagships program is the need to provide
information that enables banks to more quickly get
comfortable about financing a project.
“We are looking to fund research into understanding
how you can accurately gauge satellite solar radiation
material so banks can rely on it,” Twidell said. “We want a
knowledge management portal and strategy for this and
other vital information ... it needs to be fresh and vibrant
and, most importantly, readily available.”
For more information www.australiansolarinstitute.com.au
Aerial shot of the Solar Brayton Cycle demonstration field
at the CSIRO National Solar Energy Centre in
Newcastle, NSW
The complete pictureThe CMS Smart Series Inverters monitor both household consumption* and production of energy.
Access your data via the internet The CMS Smart Series have an in-built web server, with live updates of your data occurring every fi ve seconds.
User–friendly graphicsYour data is visually illustrated with easy-to-read tables and graphs, and daily, weekly, monthly and yearly views.
3 years of historyThe built-in memory holds up to three years of data, plenty to compare seasonal variance. You can also download your history to your computer.
* Current transformers to monitor consumption sold separately.
It’s your choice. Insist on CMS Smart Series for your home or business installation.
Find out more at carbonmanagement.com.au
Catch more sun with CMS
1300 BUY CMS
Be solar smart with CMS Smart Series Inverters
12 | WINTER 2011
Special Technical Feature
Growing
BY JOHN GRIMES
The Australian residential solar industry has grown exponentially in recent years, with more than 170,000
photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in 2010 alone, a tenfold increase on
2008. This exponential increase has been fuelled by generous State and
Federal support measures, falling module costs and the rising Australian
dollar. Consumers have been major beneficiaries of cheaper solar panels
as they have sought to hedge against rising power prices and take
personal action to tackle climate change.
But any industry that grows as quickly as we have is going to
experience some growing pains. Our growing pains have been felt
most in the areas of accreditation, enforcement, on-going professional
development support to installers, and standards development, which
have failed to kept pace with rapid technology change and growth.
A growing number of people inside the industry are concerned about
quality and safety standards in the solar industry. On an almost daily
basis now, the media are reporting on some element of concern.
What happens next is vital to the long-term success of our industry.
We as an industry must collectively get on the front foot, to maintain
public trust and confidence.
Step change neededWhile AuSES is active in pressing for stronger standards, and we
participate actively on several Australian Standards committees, we know
it takes a long time to get change adopted through this process alone.
What we need now is a ‘step change’ in how we train, support and
regulate the industry. After all, consumers should expect that their solar
systems meet the required quality and performance standards.
It is now clear that previous compliance regimes did not inspect
With an industry backdrop of “growing
pains” AuSES CEO John Grimes says it is time
to move forward and deliver continuous best
practice. Peace of mind for all. The wheels are
now in motion.
Pains
SolarProgress | 13
enough solar systems nor with sufficient rigor. When faults were found,
not enough was done to weed out poorly performing installers. Most
importantly, lessons learnt from the field were not adequately fed back
into the training process, and installers seeking ongoing advice were not
properly supported, in fact many installers report that they could not get
any support and emails and telephone calls went unanswered.
The Australian Federal Government is now justifiably implementing a
strengthened compliance regime, and AuSES is rolling out its industry
Best Practice Program. This program will detail what best practice looks
like, measure against it, test and inspect the participants regularly, and
provide ongoing professional development and training.
Restoring respect for solar installersAlmost every day members of the industry contact us frustrated that
while they are doing the right thing, and delivering quality work at a fair
price, others in the industry are not. AuSES wants Australians to again
recognize the professionalism of the quality PV installers. We will do
this by allowing quality component suppliers, and quality installers to
differentiate themselves, and provide a strong value proposition that their
customers understand. In turn this will lead to an increased demand for a
premium product and service that will lead to high levels of performance
over the long term.
By creating a “trust mark”, and by educating the public about
the advantages of solar best practice, we will create market pull for
this approach.
We want to create a virtuous cycle, where increased demand for high
standards drives more and more installers to operate at a best practice
level. What is more, we have the strong support of the industry for this
initiative. Last year we presented our plan to 600 solar industry attendees
in four cities. More than 95% of attendees reported that they were ‘likely
or very likely’ to join the program.
How does the Best Practice program work?The program will establish a rigorous certification process for companies
that wish to be recognised for their commitment to best practice.
The process will be voluntary and additional to existing mandatory
accreditation and compliance standards.
With base line accreditation already in place this program will require
sales people and installers to undertake formal training and ongoing
professional development.
We are including sales people in the scheme because the benefits of
the right system need to be sold in the first instance, when the installer
arrives on site it may already be too late.
The Best Practice Standards will cover issues such as:• Meeting all applicable Australian Standards;
• Use of quality materials;
• A star rating system for solar PV components;
• Quality workmanship;
• Roof orientation and suitability;
• Communicating with customers and meeting their expectations,
including written guarantees of performance; and
• Design and quotation.
The program will give confidence that a certified best practice installer
“One of the biggest lessons to date has been that in this
rapidly advancing field, ongoing advice and professional
development are vital to the success of the industry.”
14 | WINTER 2011
is on-site for all installations and only certified best practice installers sign
off on paperwork under this program. The first training module, covering
the correct installation of DC breakers has been completed, and is freely
available on the AuSES website.
On-line training for maximum convenienceComplete the program wherever you are whenever you like.
Modules will include:
For Solar PV sales consultants
• Solar system training on-line
• Access solar PV sales support documents on-line
• Complete a formal test on-line, under test conditions held in
partnership nationally with TAFEs, and
• Access a suite of tools for ongoing reference on-line.
For solar installers
• Solar system installation training on-line
• Access solar sales support documents on-line
• Complete a formal test on-line, under test conditions held in
partnership nationally with TAFEs, and
• Access a suite of tools for ongoing reference on-line.
Solar industry participants will also be able to access a moderated
blog on the secure website, to seek peer to peer support, and to
enable continuing learning. Once industry participants have completed
certification, they will be issued with an ID card displaying a photo, logos
and a signature.
Ongoing professional development One of the biggest lessons to date has been that in this rapidly advancing
field, ongoing advice and professional development are vital to the
success of the industry. Once participants have been certified they will be
required to undergo ongoing professional development, via workshops,
webinars and on-line learning modules. Each component of post
certification training will be awarded professional development points,
and participants will be required to engage in a minimum amount of on-
going training in order to remain certified.
Inspection and testingIf this scheme is about confidence, then the integrity of the scheme is
vital. We need to make sure that every install is done to best practice
standards, and there is no sense of ‘green wash’ in this scheme. To do
that participants will be subject to an on-going quality control and the
program will be periodically subject to an inspection and validation
process, designed to periodically test the real world application of the
program by its members.
Educating the publicA major part of this program is to educate the public on Solar PV Best
Practice. AuSES wants companies to be rewarded for offering quality
services by using a well-known trust mark. This trust mark is like the heart
foundation’s ‘tick’, except for the solar industry. We are committed to
develop and promote the trust mark extensively through mainstream
media, social media and industry publications, as well as a dedicated website.
The public website will provide easy to understand and real-time
information for consumers on what to look for in a quality system, and
how to choose an installer, all designed to promote safe, reliable and
value-for-money solar.
Choosing your solar components How does a non-expert know what are quality components and which
are not? It is not easy, even for industry insiders. Ultimately a large part
of the program will be a star rating for solar components based on actual
use in Australian conditions. AuSES will work with qualified experts and
companies to develop a program in the medium term.
Next stepsThe next step is to check out the website. Try out the interactive web
based training. Then express your interest in being certified (at a cost of
$175). Once we have the first batch of participants together we will run
the group through the process. Today is the day to commit to a stronger,
highly respected solar industry.
For more information: http://solarbestpractice.org.au/solarbestpractice
“AuSES is rolling out its industry
Best Practice Program … [it] will
establish a rigorous certification
process for companies that
wish to be recognised for their
commitment to best practice.”
Special Technical Feature
For Sponsorship and Exhibition prospectus:
Contact Brian Rault on +61 3 8534 5014 or email [email protected]
Bringing business and research together for a better tomorrow”
ISES
International
Solar Energy
Society
“
Will be held in Sydney, Australia
Wednesday 30th November to Friday 2nd December 2011
a member of Conference Manager:
16 | WINTER 2011
Integrating Australian PV – Solar on every surface
PICTURE IF YOU WILL, an antipodean solar
engineer’s dream world. Every roof faces north
with a pitch roughly equal to the local latitude
angle; building-block homes all in a row.
Unfortunately, centuries of homebuilders and
decades of town planners did not consult solar
engineers before scattering homes without
regard to optimal solar access. The resulting
urban environment is more aesthetically
pleasing and arguably more liveable,
but constantly faces solar designers with
suboptimal outcomes.
Fortunately, while many retired engineers
insist on their own solar power system being
optimally oriented, most roof-owners are
prepared to accept that the cost of optimal
azimuth rarely justifies the gains in solar yield.
In most Australian locations, losses are kept
to 10-15% for roofs oriented 90° either side
of north, and the cost of side-pitch mounting
typically adds more than 10% to the project
cost. Panels mounted parallel with the roof
pitch have the key benefit of achieving
maximum power density, with what is lost in
sub-optimal orientation is typically far exceeded
by gains in total energy yield.
Regardless, sensible solar array placement
can be quite a sophisticated artform, and
Australia has many highly capable designers to
choose from.
By way of comparison, integrating
solar power into the building fabric adds
volumes of complexities. The solar designer
must integrate with the design and
construction team to be able to successfully
integrate solar panels into a buildings walls or
roof. Installations are invariably sub-optimal,
and shading is often unavoidable. This makes
Building Integrated PV (BIPV) a specialist
design area with highly stimulating, innovative
projects, unique challenges, and thoroughly
satisfying outcomes.
Warwick Johnson reviews the nature of BIPV projects which, he says, are more commonly incorporated into new buildings rather than installed as a retrofit.
Industry Technology
The BIPV technology choice depends upon
the application. When visibility isn’t critical or
glazing is distant from bystanders, as occurs in
the Metricon Stadium1 and Varsity Lakes train
station2, it is acceptable to use crystalline silicon
cells sandwiched between glass panes.
Such product is available from a growing
number of manufacturers, though the
invariable need for high-strength glass in
custom sizes typically dictates sourcing from
BIPV specialists.
Some degree of transparency is key for
functional windows, with Schott Solar’s
ASI-Thru3 providing 10-20% transparency in
single or double glazing and taking on the
appearance of a fly-wire screen (see picture).
Pythagoras Solar also recently launched its
high-transparency, high-efficiency PV window4.
Both products can significantly reduce glare
and thermal gain, thereby reducing air
conditioner size and running costs.
In some applications, opaque appearance
is preferred – such as that of the Tullamarine-
Calder Interchage Solar Noise Wall5 – while
innovative Building Integrated Solar Thermal
and Building Integrated Hybrid PV-Thermal
applications are also possible with Heliopan6.
An alternative to façade integration is roof
integration, in which the solar panels form part
of the roof membrane. Australian designed PV
Solar Tiles7 are one noteworthy product, and
Solon has recently introduced a roof-integrated
module into Australia8.
AzimuthInvolve an architect in a building design and
expect a fantastic appearance, to come at the
expense of ideal solar orientation. Windows are
invariably vertical for good reason, and a 30°
sloped façade can add extraordinary amounts
to standard building costs.
For example while a vertical façade may
Application and product selectionBIPV is not a typical retrofit solution, and
consequently BIPV projects are invariably new
buildings. The detailed façade engineering that
is required typically means that the project
must be a minimum 10kW to be practically
viable, which requires vast areas of glazing
that instantly excludes most of the
residential market.
Commercial projects aiming for Green Star
accreditation can benefit from the demand
reduction and emissions-reduction benefits of
solar power, with façade integration necessary
once the rooftop is filled with a standard
solar array.
“Centuries of
homebuilders
and decades of
town planners did
not consult solar
engineers before
scattering homes
without regard to
optimal solar access.”
SolarProgress | 17
suffer 40% performance loss, its financial
outcome may be superior to that of a 30°-
sloped array that costs at least twice as much
for the same architectural function – this was
part of the reason for a vertical solar noise wall
in Victoria.
The Metricon Stadium is visually magnificent,
though its 270 different azimuths presented
significant challenges, especially as solar
performance in every moment is limited by
the least illuminated panel. The BIPV engineer
has to be able to gently influence an architect
towards a practically achievable outcome, but
ultimately be able to work with the situation
that is architecturally-driven.
ShadingShade is the nemesis of solar performance.
Whereas one usually has the luxury of placing
retrofit roof-mount solar arrays in the least
shaded location, BIPV invariably encounters
1300 146 346 | www.infi nitysolar.com.auServicing all of QLD and Northern NSW Cairns, Townsville, Hervey Bay, Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Toowoomba, Tweed Heads South, Coffs Harbour
Electrical Contractors Number: 69667 QLD, 231933C NSW hooplaINF3297
At Infinity Solar we’re committed to providing the best quality, most efficient solar power solutions.
That’s why we use only the best quality equipment, including panels from Trina, SolarWorld, Schott,
Sunpower & Silex, as well as inverters by SMA and Aurora. Infinity Solar, we make solar simple.
FOR QUALITY SOLAR THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO GO
INFINITY SOLAR WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE LOBBYING WORK THAT AUSES AND SEIA HAVE BEEN DOING TO PRESERVE THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IN NSW.
INF3297_100x210_AuSES Mag_v4.indd 1 24/06/11 2:26 PM
“Involve an architect
in a building design
and expect a
fantastic appearance,
to come at the
expense of ideal
solar orientation.”
unavoidable shade.
BIPV facades are more affected by nearby
shading obstacles from the built and natural
environment. Although a lot of energy can be
spent articulating the need to avoid shade,
for functional reasons projects will encounter
shade from trees, light poles, entrance
canopies, and flashing (waterproofing) – all of
which were overcome at Ballarat University9.
Inevitably a BIPV design will take account of
known shading obstacles, but must be robust
enough to handle surprise shade.
In an ironic example, the Solar Noise Wall
design specifically ensured that the shading
effects from overhead wayfinding signs were
contained to a small section of the array,
but fortunately shade-tolerant amorphous
silicon panels coped well with a last minute
unavoidable surprise placement of an
emergency phone (complete with its own solar
panel) in front of the array.
The Metricon Stadium
18 | WINTER 2011
Technical IssuesTo achieve a sophisticated BIPV design, one
of two approaches can be taken. The easiest,
optimal-performing solution is to use a micro-
inverter or power optimiser.
However, power optimisers’ reliability is
not yet fully proven, and the customised BIPV
panels often have electrical characteristics that
preclude the use of off-the-shelf devices.
The second approach is to group onto the
same string panels with similar performance –
clustering by same orientation and by similar
proximity to shade.
By similarly grouping together poorer-
performing parts of the solar array, the system
yield is less compromised. The use of multiple
smaller inverters, multiple maximum power-
point trackers, and multiple strings of fewer
panels can also produce a robust design.
Even considering the internal wiring
configuration of the panels can improve yield
– the characteristic of the shading pattern
can determine whether one cell is curtailed or
whether the entire panel is bypassed.
The system design is only one part of the
overall project, and much more could be said
about the construction phase.
A successfully implemented project
requires that attention be given to facilitating
ease of connections and integrating wiring
runs into the building structure, and that the
system can be easily erected and maintained,
particularly as working at heights on a platform
is often involved.
Metricon stadium was able to be quickly
erected by performing panel inter-wiring on the
ground, and lifting full bays of 14-18 panels
into place by crane.
Each BIPV project has its unique challenges,
and the design typically involves considering
the relationship of each individual panel to
its surroundings, in the context of the string,
input, and inverter to which it is connected.
Design becomes part science and part
art form, though project success requires
excellent teamwork between the various
disciplines involved.
However, through each exciting, innovative
project the vision of covering every surface with
a solar panel grows one step closer. Then we’d
truly have a solar engineer’s dream world.
Warwick Johnson is the manager of SunWiz providing innovative solar consulting services www.sunwiz.com.au
Eco-smart electricians are in demand. As WA’s largest Photovolatic Installation training provider, Polytechnic West offers state-of-the-art electrical training and facilities.
Complete our comprehensive program covering systems Design Install and Connect at our Thornlie campus today.
We are Clean Energy Council approved.
GOVERNMENT OF
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Ask about renewable energy training at Polytechnic West. Call 9267 7500.
Become an Eco Electrician
Sustainable Energy is one of Australia’s fastest
growing industries.
Industry Technology
University of Ballarat
References
1. http://sunwiz.com.au/index.php/capabilities/bipv-projects/128-australias-most-sophisticated-solar-design.html
2. www.brightthing.energy.qld.gov.au/bright-projects/solar-at-qr/
3. www.schott.com/australia/english/applications/architecture/function/solar.html
4. www.pythagoras-solar.com/technology-and-products/
5. www.goingsolar.com.au/pdf/casestudies/Tullamarine_Calder_Interchange-PV.pdf
6. http://heliopan.com.au/heliopan.html
7. www.pvsolartiles.com/
8. www.cbdenergy.com.au/newproducts.html
9. www.goingsolar.com.au/pdf/casestudies/Ballarat_University_BIPV.pdf
Solco sustainable power and water solutions
solar panels mono, poly & thin film
inverterssingle & 3 phase
solar accessoriesmounting, power optimisers, regulators, batteries & more
solar pumpingsubmersible, surface,
bore, pool pumps & more
R
A HILTI GROUP COMPANY
Solco has been supplying solar energy systems for a broad range of customers for over 20 years. With Solco you
have access to some of the finest brands in the market together with comprehensive engineering and field
support. Call us now on 1800 074 007 for more information.
Western Australia12 Brennan WayBelmont, WA, 6104Ph: 08 9334 8100Fax: 08 9334 8199
Queensland150 Gerler Road,Hendra, QLD, 4011Ph: 07 3868 1999Fax: 07 3216 4756
New South Wales / ACT1/66 Quarry Road,Murwillumbah, NSW, 2484Ph: 02 6672 4033Fax: 02 6672 4664
Victoria / Tasmania3/247 Ferntree Gully Road,Mt Waverley, VIC, 3149Ph: 03 9541 4500Fax: 03 9545 5066
Solco Representatives inSydneyAdelaidePh: 1800 074 007
[email protected] www.solcosolarproducts.com.au www.solco.com.au
Solco Distribution Centres / Sales Offices
Aussie inventiveness at its very best
Industry Technology
AUSTRALIA CAN BE PROUD of its inventors.
One such was PA Yeomans, a mining engineer
who in 1954 described a system of farming
that used amplified contour ripping to control
rainfall run off and enable fast flood irrigation
of undulating land without the need for
terracing. Known as the Keyline system, this
form of ploughing is now in use worldwide.
Following in his father’s tradition, Allan
Yeomans looked skyward for his inventiveness.
Based on the Gold Coast in Queensland,
Yeomans has spent two decades developing a
floating solar thermal power system. It looks
like it’s mission accomplished.
For a concentrated solar thermal system to
be viable capital cost must kept to an absolute
minimum and steam must be produced at
around 500°C and 7500kPa.
In the Yeomans system light passes over
two sets of concentrating mirrors. Combined,
they produce a maximum concentration in
excess of 200 suns. Steam temperatures have
reached over 680°C and steam pressures
exceed 10MPa.
The primary mirrors form part of a floating
platform sitting on a 110 metre diameter,
water-filled area the size of a football field
boxed in with a waist high brick fence.
The floating array is made up of 330
square concrete pads flexibly pinned together.
The pads are hollow on the underside and hold
flotation air. Each pad forms a module 4.8
metres square. On the top surface are set 75
mm wide glass mirror strips. The mirrors form
a series of 21 Fresnel parabolic troughs,
with focal lines five metres above the
primary mirrors.
If hail threatens, the floating platform is
flooded and sinks. In tests, a house brick
dropped from high above the pond onto the
water didn’t break anything making the mirrors
effectively invulnerable.
For azimuth alignment the 6600 square
metres of concrete and mirrors are encircled
with a length of hoist chain. A simple computer
controls a 3kW electric motor that pulls the
chain in either direction and thus accurately
aligns the Fresnel parabolic troughs.
Patents have been granted on various facets
of the system and in most significant countries
throughout the world’s sunshine belt.
DeliveryIn summary a standard pond containing 6600
square metres of primary mirrors and costing
less than $1 million is an effective steam
generating unit. Supplying steam to efficient
steam turbines it would generate approximately
1.2MW for six hours a day.
The cost per kilowatt hour of the electricity
generated depends on the cost of the solar
collecting system and also, to a considerable
degree, on the utilization factor of the
generating equipment.
Yeomans Floating Solar operates at
temperatures and pressures that ideally suit
phase change heat storage systems. Thus 10
to 12 hours per day, all year round operation
seems eminently practical, especially in the
tropics and lower sub-tropics.
A town of 10,000 people, if equipped with
ten standard ponds and reliable access to the
grid, could easily buy and sell power in equal
quantities to give average self sufficiency.
For off grid locations set up with low capital
cost standby power and at remote mine sites
simple cost analysis shows it to be the most
inexpensive power source available currently
available. In fact the cost is about 50% of
conventional parabolic systems.
Yeomans Plow Co of Gold Coast City, Queensland is an agricultural machinery
manufacturer. Allan is happy to talk ideas with potential end-users. Contact him at:
www.yeomansplow.com.au
Editor’s note: We at Solar Progress are rather captivated by Allan’s inspirational
and – let’s face it – futuristic floating solar system. So much so that you will
be reading and seeing more on this in an upcoming issue of this magazine.
“A standard pond containing 6600 square metres of primary mirrors
and costing less than $1 million … supplying steam to efficient steam
turbines would generate approximately 1.2MW for six hours a day.”
With more than a touch of ingenuity agricultural machinery
specialist Allan Yeomans has developed a floating solar thermal
power system that can deliver more than one megawatt of energy.
Tel +64-3-364 9328 | [email protected] | www.enasolar.net
one cool inverter.
If you are interested in a quality, locally produced product, by a well respected and long standing local manufacturer then you should be talking with us. We may have a few competitors, but we have no competition at this level. We compare well on price and performance and no one can offer local support like we can.
Did you know that New Zealand products are classed as local content in Australia and that we can also speak Australian?
We do not just supply a great range of sophisticated products; we partner with you and help grow your market. We offer sales support, local training at your place for your sales and installation team.
Pick up the phone now! Well, send an email at least. Make a real difference to your business and let us prove how valuable local content and partnering is and we guarantee to exceed your expectations.
Quite possibly the world’s most innovative inverter.
- Free Wi-Fi. Ethernet optional.- Wide voltage range, 100-550V.- Fully outdoors mountable IP55 housing.- Tap sensor on front housing, no switches to fail here.- Free built-in web server for remote monitoring, from anywhere!- Local New Zealand manufacturer with years of experience in power management.- Front facing easy care heatsink, no creepy crawlies or birds will be living on this inverter.- Built-in AC and DC isolator switches. Spend less time installing and save the cost of that switch and housing.- A range to suit all your domestic installation requirements, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0kW available now with a 4.0 and 5.0kW dual MPPT by end of year.
We include features other manufacturers don’t even offer as extras!
EnaSolar_Full Page_July 2011.ind1 1 16/06/2011 8:43:56 a.m.
22 | WINTER 2011
Industry Comment
Growth spurtIn early 2003, I was involved in helping to develop the Australian
PV industry roadmap. Much like today, we described the industry as
being “at a cross roads”; on the cusp of huge potential but in a
precarious state.
Eight years later, we have roared down the highway at lightning
speed and arrived at yet another crossroads. Under our “business as
usual” scenario, we boldly predicted that 120MW could be cumulatively
installed in Australia by 2010. Instead, we arrived at our destination like
a teenager in a V8 with almost 550MW installed; almost 40% more than
the roadmap’s most optimistic “Sunrise 350 scenario”.
This growth spurt is a huge success story for our industry and critically,
has put Australia back in the top 10 of key global markets after dropping
out for so many years and being highlighted in the 2003 report.
The statistics on our industry (above) are quite staggering but arguably
the one primary statistic that demonstrates our growing significance is
our impact on total energy generation. Our industry has grown from
0.01% of total generation capacity in 2003 to an estimated 2% by the
end of 2011.
While our penetration remains small this represents growth of almost
7000% in just eight short years. Although it was funded to varying
degrees by policy mechanisms, there is no escaping the fact that a large
part of this new generation asset was funded by “the Jones’s” digging
into their savings to put PV on their own roof. Welcome to the people’s
power station.
Our $2.5 billion industry now includes thousands of companies, tens
of thousands of employees and hundreds of thousands of homes. By the
end of 2011 we estimate that as many as 10% of all residential homes
will have PV installed.
Novice driversAlthough this has created many stories of success, growth and maturity,
being handed the keys to a V8 through Government policy is not without
its risks or downsides.
At a State and Federal level we have seen policy mechanisms wax and
wane; over and over again. Without a shadow of doubt and despite
declining costs, PV needs and deserves policy support; we aren’t a fully
mature industry yet. The pros and cons of both the type and scale of any
industry support mechanisms are worthy of debate but at a high level
one thing is clear: non-renewable generation has and continues to receive
billions of dollars in support.
In terms of support the PV industry has received a comparative drop
in the ocean, but it has a role to play in the future energy mix of every
country including Australia. It therefore deserves equitable, transparent
and appropriate support.
Like any industry, the security of investment is critical and this needs
a guarantee of certainty that comes from appropriate, well thought out
legislation right across the country.
The recent New South Wales PV policy debate is a case in point. I was
privileged to be involved in modelling and presentation to the former
NSW state government when it was considering its options for a Feed-in
Tariff in January 2009. The PV industry was aligned in its views that a
rate of around 45 cents per kilowatthour was required based on system
pricing at that time and that adjustments and monitoring would be
required. We were focused on trying to drive well modelled,
appropriate policy.
As history now shows, politics took precedence over good policy and
an overly generous 60 cent tariff was introduced. Industry warned of the
likely result but our calls went unheeded, the program was mismanaged
and it took off. With the best of intentions, the government simply threw
us the keys to the car like a Mum who is too soft and said “go for it”
while Dad was out.
Although the industry largely behaved responsibly, the appeal of
such a scheme did not go unnoticed. Suddenly we had a bunch of new
friends alongside us and it became a street race to take advantage of the
opportunity while it lasted. Those with a sense of maturity eased off the
throttle a little, seeing the potential consequences looming ever larger but
the excitement was too much to bear for some and they got reckless.
When we finally hit the wall with a new government in NSW, “Dad”
was furious to say the least, accusing us of reckless behaviour, taking the
car and our allowance – retrospectively for the past two years. Growing
up is never easy and sometimes painful.
We are all now left to clean up the mess. Bankruptcies, unscrupulous
Roaring downthe highway of
the PV roadmap Over the past eight years Australia’s PV industry has grown by a staggering 7000 per cent, but endured a few bumps along the way. The burgeoning industry now needs to mature in order to deliver a brighter and more stable future, says Nigel Morris.
SolarProgress | 23
greed, dangerous practices and scams have been uncovered as a result of
this over-generosity. Although they are a minority they have tarnished us
all and we have a lot of hard work ahead to absolve ourselves.
Fortunately, the industry dug deep, cleaned itself up and tackled the
issue head on convincing the Government we were serious and surprising
them with our maturity, prowess and strength. Being a reasonable man,
Premier O’Farrell admitted that he might have overreacted a little in the
heat of the moment and gave us our allowance back which is just as well
because we had promised to share it with all our good friends.
Planning to buy our own carOur industry is now at a new crossroads having learnt some valuable
lessons over the past few years.
We can’t stop growing; it’s inevitable, appropriate and increasingly
necessary, but to really mature we are going to have to make some
tough decisions.
First, we probably need to develop a better filter to choose our
‘friends’. Our industry accreditation program is world class but needs
a complete overhaul to minimise installation risks, increase compliance
audit requirements and react faster. We also need a whole new way of
managing responsibility; at the moment the installer cops all the heat
when in the majority of cases poor behaviour is driven by undue pressure
and cost cutting from owners and managers.
Maybe Mum needs to see a counsellor.
Secondly, we need to get some independence into our policy arena.
As long as politicians with short life cycles are in control we will continue
to get short-term politically driven policy outcomes designed to primarily
win votes rather than guide us down the road in a sensible, well
considered manner.
Maybe Dad needs to stop taking advice from his mates and see
someone who understands our issues better; or he could even sit down
and listen to us.
And thirdly, we need to be recognised as a maturing, thoughtful
and generally well behaved industry. It’s time we were listened to and
consulted far more, and we’re even prepared to take responsibility for
these decisions as a trade-off for the authority. We have a wealth of
knowledge, a growing group of intelligent and highly informed peers and
we represent the future.
We know you’d prefer a ’67 Chevy but it is 2011 after all; we want a
late model Prius with some technological wizardry at a great price.
I’m sorry you don’t quite get it, but you need to learn to engage
and trust us.
The crossroads we are now at is highly significant. The steam-aged
infrastructure that we rely on won’t and can’t vanish overnight but we do
have an opportunity to take the stress off it and embrace a new future.
It is time the Government and the head-in-the-sand lobby started to
see PV as a huge opportunity rather than a threat.
Hundreds of thousands of Australians have proven that they
“intrinsically love the thought of generating their own clean, green
energy” and all it takes is an economic proposition in the right ball-park.
Nigel Morris is owner manager of solar energy consultancy SolarBusinessServices based in Manly, NSW. www.solarbusiness.com.au
100000
10000
1000
100
10
1MW p/a Total
cumulative installed MW
Retail value $M p/a
Direct jobs Number of accredited installers
Average net price per Watt,
residential
Key Australian PV industry metrics2003
2010
2011e
“The crossroads we are now at is highly significant …
it is time the Government and the head-in-the-sand lobby
started to see PV as a huge opportunity rather than a threat.”
24 | WINTER 2011
IT WAS AN EXTRAORDINARY SIGHT. Up to 2000 people packed into
the square in front of Sydney’s historic Customs House calling on the
O’Farrell Government to stop its plan to retrospectively slash payments
to householders who had already installed solar panels.
The Australian Solar Energy Society thought 400 people might turn
up. That number was exceeded half an hour before the Solar Rally
kick-off. And still they came. The hall was quickly filled, the balcony
packed, no room to move in the spill-over room and the
foyer overflowing.
The decision was quickly made to abandon the original room and to
take the people out into the people’s square. And it was there that the
voices were truly heard. A deal’s a deal. There can be no retrospective
changes to government guaranteed contracts.
The backlash against the NSW Government’s retrospective changes
has been strong and constant. Where once the solar industry would
meekly accept the solar policy rollercoaster, it was clear this was a
threshold issue.
This was an issue that not only threatened the solar industry; it also
hurt more than 100,000 families. And in the thousands those families
made phone calls and wrote e-mails to MPs. They called talkback radio
and wrote letters to editors.
It is hard to imagine any legislator of good conscience supporting a
measure that so fundamentally undermined the rule of law and which
so clearly breached the Government’s election commitment.
The right outcomeThe people spoke and the New South Wales Premier Barry O’Farrell
responded. His words of June 7 2011:
“The NSW Government will not proceed with planned changes to
the Solar Bonus Scheme. I have listened to community and backbench
concerns about the retrospective nature of the changes.
“It had also become clear that the crossbenchers in the Upper House
would not support the planned changes and they will not proceed.
“I wanted to do everything possible to reduce the cost to taxpayers
of the Solar Bonus Scheme and keep a lid on electricity prices.
However, I am a realist and there is no point putting up legislation to
the Upper House which is going to be rejected.
“I have listened to the concerns of those who entered the scheme in
good faith and this decision should give them the certainty they need.”
Turning pointThe words of the Law Society of South Australia from August 2010
should ring in legislators’ ears: ‘Retrospective legislation is inimical to
our system of law and democracy.’
The backlash against the NSW Government’s proposed retrospective
changes was a turning point for Australia’s solar industry because it
showed what the industry can achieve when it works in a coordinated,
strategic manner. It sent a message to other Governments to reject any
suggestions of retrospective changes to their own feed-in tariffs and it
showed what could be achieved by actively promoting a positive vision
of a clean energy future.
The challenge for the solar industry is to continue to work in a
coordinated and strategic manner, delivering professional advocacy
and communications. The challenge is to take the harsh response to an
unacceptable policy decision and shape that into a positive movement
supporting a consistent national feed-in tariff and the challenge is to
tap into the very strong levels of public support for solar to build a
strong and sustainable residential, commercial and large-scale
solar industry.
Wayne Smith is the Director of Clean Economy Services, a renewable energy consulting firm. His clients include the Australian Solar Energy Society, which believes that certainty and consistency in policy should extend across all sectors of the solar energy industry.
Stirring SUPPORT
Political perspectives
Give your business a
competitive edge.131 791 | enterpriseconnect.gov.au
20110607
Enterprise Connect can help your business excel in today’s dynamic environment. Take advantage of our tailored Business Review and optimise your strategic, financial and operational processes with expert advice and sustainable action plans.
Success in business has a lot to do with making powerful connections and getting the right advice.
Authorised by the Australian Government, Capital Hill, Canberra. Printed by Chandler Direct 14-16 Boundary Street, South Melbourne VIC 3205.
20110607_Advertising_Campaign Generic_Solar Progress Journal 180x35_final.indd 1 24/06/2011 12:55:05 PM
Strength in numbers, powerful emotions and potent
messages produce the desired result: status quo of NSW FiTs.
Solar consultant Wayne Smith reports on the rally.
.
Relax, let Green Energy Trading do the paperwork, call our friendly team today on 1300 077 784 or visit www.greenenergytrading.com.au
TAKE A LOAD OFF...WE HAVE STC’S COVERED
Green Energy Trading is a credible market leader in the creation and purchase of STC’s. We deliver a highly professional service with excellent client support. Why would you trust anyone else?
• Competitive, transparent pricing• A flexible, tailored business approach• Experienced, knowledgeable staff
26 | WINTER 2011
Comment corner
While the road for solar hot water has not been quite as rocky as it has
been of late for our PV cousins we have certainly faced our fair share
of ups and downs in recent times. In fact the recent PV boom directly
impacted on the growth of solar water heating as market conditions
made it too attractive to resist solar power even when a household had
an aging electric water heater.
Having said that, we have probably had more ups than downs and,
with a Government plan to phase out electric water heaters on the
horizon, we see a potentially positive future for our industry so long as
the there is still a level of Government support.
Boom timesThe 2009 calendar year was an extraordinary one for the solar water
heating industry in Australia.
We were presented with a perfect storm of high REC prices, a very
strong federal government rebate and some strong state based incentives
(particularly in NSW) which combined with historically low interest rates
put Australian consumers in the mood to buy – and more than 200,000
took the plunge.
Since those heady days a combination of falling REC prices, a reduction
in the federal and some state rebates, rising interest rates and the growth
of PV has seen the industry drop back by about 30%.
Considering the number of factors against solar hot water in 2010
and so far in 2011 the industry is holding steady at around 150,000
units per annum.
The current marketElectric water heating is the biggest user of power in Australian homes
(around 25% of total) so with rising electricity prices being such a
concern for households there is still a demand for solar hot water.
Building codes also ensure a certain number of virtually guaranteed sales.
The other factor driving the business is the ever increasing consumer
knowledge that electric water heaters are planned to be phased out in
2012 (no definite date as yet), so many households are choosing to make
the switch to solar hot water now while rebates are in play even though
their existing water heater is still working.
The overwhelming majority of our customers have a working
water heater when they call us meaning that it is a conscious decision
to buy a solar water heater to either save money or help the environment
(or both) and get in before the $1000 Federal Government rebate runs
out next June.
Decisions, decisions …Assuming that the phase out of electric water heaters does go ahead, it
will leave householders with an interesting decision to make when their
electric water heater breaks down. They will have to replace it with either
a solar water heater or some type of gas water heater.
If their property is connected to natural gas many will probably choose
an efficient natural gas water heater with an upfront cost of about half
that of a solar alternative.
This may seem a good option however with the rise of LNG many are
predicting some very steep natural gas price rises in the coming years as
Australian producers look to export more of the liquefied form of the gas
into more lucrative off shore markets.
This will push up the annual cost of a gas water heater and mean that
over the life of the appliance it may end up costing a lot more than a
solar water heater which has considerably lower running costs.
Those without natural gas will be even worse off if they choose an LPG
fed gas water heater instead of solar as the annual running cost is already
extremely high.
… the best solutionThe best outcome for households will clearly be solar water heating.
Our fear however is that the higher upfront cost will put off many, as a
water heater is already normally a “grudge purchase”.
This is why we are calling on all levels of Government to
maintain support for solar water heating to keep it affordable for
the average family.
We are particularly concerned about rental properties where landlords
could conceivably take the easy (cheaper) option of a gas water heater
leaving the future burden of high bills to tenants – and the least likely
members of the community to be able to afford them.
The next 12 months should be solid for solar hot water as households
buy in before the rebate goes.
From there it will be very interesting – solar will either become the
mainstream of water heating or continue to be what everyone agrees is a
great idea but only a relatively few take up.
Time will tell…
Brian Callaghan is National Business Development Manager Solahart Industries Pty Ltd. www.solahart.com.au
Some like it HOTTER
Solahart’s Brian Callaghan expects the solar hot water
industry to be buoyant over the next 12 months,
but beyond that the landscape looks uncertain.
“We are calling on all levels of
Government to maintain support
for solar water heating to keep it
affordable for the average family.”
Accuracy at all times
The Trade Practices Act (now known as the
Competition and Consumer Act) promotes
competition and fair-trading and provides
consumer protection.
The Australian Competition and Consumer
Commission is keen to ensure that small
businesses understand their responsibilities in
advertising and promotion, and offers help at
www.accc.gov.au
Solar retailers and suppliers must
substantiate performance claims and ensure
statements about related financial assistance
programs are accurate.
In a joint warning to the industry, Australian
consumer protection agencies have called
on solar power retailers to comply with the
Australian Consumer Law and ensure their
claims are true. ACCC chairman Graeme
Samuel said when advertising solar power
systems retailers must be vigilant and take all
reasonable steps to ensure consumers are
not misled.
“It’s easy for consumers to be dazzled
by energy and money saving claims or new
technology and equations presented by so-
called experts. Retailers are on notice that they
must be able to support and back-up these
types of performance and savings claims,”
he said.
“Claims should be clear and unambiguous
and should not include technical or scientific
jargon that suggests certain capabilities or
effects that cannot be substantiated.”
In response to consumer demand for
‘clean and green’ energy, governments across
Australia offer financial assistance to help
consumers offset the set-up costs of installing
solar power systems in their homes.
“Recent advertising by solar retailers about
these financial assistance schemes coming to
an end can give consumers the false impression
they will miss out on savings if they don’t act
now,” Mr Samuel said.
“The initial investment in a solar power
system can be very expensive, so it is important
that retailers don’t pressure householders into
rash decisions.”
He advised that the timing of changes to
the available financial assistance can vary so
consumers should check the Office of the
Renewable Regulator website (www.orer.gov.
au) for more information.
Information about the Australian
Government’s small scale renewable energy
scheme is freely available at www.orer.gov.au
and www.solaraccreditation.com.au
See also the article about the AuSES Solar Best Practice Program on pages 12-14 of this magazine and visit http://solarbestpractice.org.au/solarbestpractice
CALL 1800 779 668(02) 9457 2223 www.solaraustralia.com.au
At Solar Energy Australia (SEA) we don’t just supply high quality PV Kits at low prices, we also specialise in providing personal service, tech support and industry advice. If you are new to the PV industry and have some technical or business related questions then simply give us a call. We stay up-to-date with the volatile PV industry and are more than happy to share our knowledge with you. It’s good for you, it’s good for us and it’s good for sustainable industry. We have been reliably servicing the PV industry for 15 years and we are here to stay to support your needs into the future.
WE WANT YOU !Call Solar Energy Australia Now
for great advice and great prices
SPECIALS KICK STARTER
PV KITSSAVE HUNDREDS PER INSTALL
PLUS SUPER DEALS ON PALLET PACKS
Are you new to the Solar Industry ?Just got your accreditation ?
Don’t know where to start ?Only doing one install per week ?
Only doing one install per month ?Want to compete with the big boys ?
Great Quality
Great Price
Great Stocks
Industry Advice
Tech Support
Local Warranty
Credit Available
Tailgate Delivery
CEC Member
Accessories
Well Established (15 years)
No fee for Customising Kits
28 | WINTER 2011
Around the nation
AuSES NSW – Graham Hunt, President Branch email: [email protected]
Thanks to the Institute of Sustainable Futures at
University of Technology Sydney, which provides
our meeting venue, the NSW branch of AuSES
meets regularly on the fourth Tuesday of the
month at the Broadway Campus of UTS.
Speakers at our meetings so far this year
have included: Dr. Iain McGill on ‘Integrating
renewable energy sources and electric vehicles
into the electricity grid; Dr. Justin Blows on
Intellectual Property; and Dr Ian Plumb on
‘Hydrogen: generation, storage, transport,
use and safety’.
In June Paul Petersen from Aerogenesis
presented ‘The ins and outs of small scale
wind turbines’. The July meeting will feature a
presentation on building heating systems.
A regular segment called Future
Directions showcases a young person
working in the renewable/clean tech sector.
Some of these short presentations have
been very inspirational, with the presenter
highlighting the current and future challenges
within the industry.
We collaborate closely with the Sydney
Central branch of the ATA on a variety of
activities including outdoor events. On July 10
we will be at the North Sydney Coal Loader
Sustainability Centre.
There has been much activity during the past
few months with the campaign to overturn
the negative retrospective legislation for the
NSW Feed-in-Tariff. AuSES CEO John Grimes
spearheaded the successful campaign by
interested parties to get the new NSW Liberal
government to back down.
We thank all for their support but now we
need to work hard to get a fair and equitable,
nationally consistent FiT adopted.
AuSES Northern Territory – Jai Singh, ChairBranch email: [email protected]
Since 1996, AuSES (NT Branch) has been
offering two student awards: one for the best
student in the second year physics quantum
mechanics unit, and another for best Ph.D.
project at the Charles Darwin University.
Each of these awards comprises one-year
student membership to AuSES, a certificate and
a cheque for $250.
The best student award takes place every
year and has now evolved into “For the best
student in ENG426: Renewable Energy unit”
offered as a fourth year engineering unit at CDU.
The other award is only presented when
there is a suitable applicant in any year.
We have also been sponsoring each year the
Sustainability Award offered by the Engineer’s
Australia (NT) for several years and it is
equivalent to $500.
The objective of these activities is to promote
AuSES awareness.
Solar Panel Bulk-buy programAuSES (NT) initiated a bulk-buy solar panel
program in 2009 and invited tenders from the
Australian companies for the installation of
solar panels.
EcoKinetics Brisbane won the tender and
in collaboration with CoolMob, the project
attracted a huge interest from the local
Darwin Community.
It has been a very successful activity and
resulted in installation of 1kW – 5kW systems
on more than 300 houses to date in the Darwin.
AuSES Tasmania – Matthew Pettit, PresidentBranch email: [email protected]
AuSES Tasmania pamphlet in the making The Tasmanian branch has developed a great
education program for builders in conjunction
with the Tasmanian Building & Construction
Industry Training Board (TBCITB) and Workplace
Standards Tasmania.
To date we have conducted three ‘sell-out’
seminars in Hobart, with another scheduled
for Launceston.
The course content covers: A Carbon Neutral
Tasmania, Insulation, Energy Rating Systems,
Building Design & Materials, Solar Hot Water
and Solar Buildings.
Also delivered are two tutorial sessions:
Arithmetic – calculating R-values, U-values,
conductivity, resistivity; Measurement – Home
Auditing; Steady State – Calculating thermal
performance of a house; Chaos Theory – The
economy & global warming.
Another project occupying the branch is a
pamphlet on design principals of solar houses
in cool temperate climates, designed as an
educational tool for builders, designers and the
general public.
This pamphlet is being handed out at expos
that the group attends and at the seminars.
If anyone is interested in the pamphlet please
contact the email below and we will forward
you a copy.
In August the Tasmanian branch is staging
a bus tour of five solar efficient houses in the
Hobart region. Contact Matthew if interested.
State
ntnsw
tas
SolarProgress | 29
AuSES Western Australia - Garry Baverstock AM, PresidentBranch email: [email protected] [email protected]
The cornerstone of our rejuvenation of AuSES in WA is the mentor
program. A key element of developing this program is the engagement of
our members with the universities.
Building on the relationship that AuSES has developed with universities,
it has been unanimously decided to host our winter/summer solstices and
autumn/spring equinox meetings at one of our universities.
Our ‘Mentor’ subcommittee comprising Dr Mary Dale, Dr Bill Parker
and myself plan to continue on with this approach and implement
appropriate strategies that in time will definitive AuSES activity at state
branch level.
Our branch meetings will incorporate what we term a ‘solar beers’
networking event to attract younger members and gain traction of our
emerging mentor scheme. Apart from university students we are focusing
on young professionals in the science, engineering and architecture
professions to bring this lifeblood activity back to life in WA.
The 1970s and 1980s were very successful mentoring periods in this
state as many solar water heating engineers and business proprietors
were regular attendees at the ISES branch meetings and attracted many
young professionals. The Society’s history goes into more detail and is
available on the AuSES website
With valued assistance from Ray Wills, CEO of SEA and now an
advisory committee member, our inaugural meeting was held at SEA in
Northbridge, Perth in March. It was a positive start to rebuilding the society.
An outstanding talk was given by Mr Andrew Hall of Bright Generation P/L
on innovation and venture capital. Many young professionals attended
this event and have since joined AuSES. More recently we had Prof. David
Harries talking about the impacts of electric vehicles.
As this year develops, we are looking forward to collaborating more
with SEA especially at their International Convention in Perth, dovetailing
our mentor scheme into their program hopefully, to help develop future
movers and shakers.
We are currently planning a prize system for our WA students who
are selected delivering the best papers each in the categories of the
National Conference. We are considering setting up a session at the SEA
convention where these winners can be showcased.
There will be three more seasonal meetings for AuSES in Perth. We
are putting much effort into creating a basic platform that other state
branches may like to follow in due course, should the mentor strategy
deliver the outcomes we are expecting.
We are interested in having a PR consultant to join our committee to
expand our exposure for our meetings and events from hereon. Please
contact us via email if you are interested.
wa
30 | WINTER 2011
Around the nation
AuSES South Australia – Stewart Martin, ChairBranch email: [email protected]
One of the major solar initiatives
undertaken in SA is the Shaw Method of Air
Conditioning (SMAC).
The SMAC TM system is a patented
technology developed by Dr Alan Shaw of the
University of Adelaide and marketed by SMAC
Technologies, which has the ability to reduce
HVAC loads in buildings worldwide
by 30- 50%.
This is achieved through the use of twin
coil technology which permits independent
control of the sensible and latent loads of the
air-conditioned space (not traditionally available
in conventional systems).
This allows the chilled water temperature
to be up to 15°C, prevents ‘over cooling’ in
humid climates and reduces or eliminates
reheat requirements.
Outside air is pre-treated through a de-
humidification coil and cooled with chilled
water before contacting the inside air. The
supply air is treated by the second coil which
belongs to the original system. The SMAC
Process decouples latent loads (humidity) and
sensible loads (temperature) and via copyright
protected integrated control algorithms
continuously optimises air conditioning
energy consumption.
The technology can be installed as new
into a building or retrofitted with minimum
disruption to existing systems.
Examples of the use of the system include
the West Wing of the Art Gallery of South
Australia where it has been operating for over
five years with savings of 50% on cooling, 60%
on heating and improved temperature and
humidity control.
It was also installed in 2010 in the Local
Government Super Building in Sussex St, Sydney
which along with an upgrade of the lighting
system has resulted in a 51% reduction in the
energy consumption of the 10 storey building
and the lowest energy intensity (274 MJ/m2/yr)
of any commercial office in the Sydney CBD.
For more information and images: www.
smactec.com/index.html
AuSES Queensland – Antony Sachs, PresidentBranch email: [email protected]
AuSES Queensland has lined up a series of
interesting speakers to address branch meetings
and in mid-June members were privileged to
hear a presentation by AuSES member Dr. Nur
Demirbilek on the topic of climate-responsive
building design.
For many years Nur has been a leading
researcher and lecturer in sustainable
building design.
Throughout her career, spanning seven
universities and three countries, Nur has
undertaken research and taught building
design that is appropriate for an enormous
range of climates and applications, from
housing in sub-tropical Brisbane to an
astronomical observatory on a mountain top in
her native Turkey.
Her research interests included use and
control of solar energy, thermal performance
analysis of buildings, colour and light.
Nur has over 34 research publications, and is
also well-recognised as an artist.
Providing another perspective on this topic
was Nur’s former student Britney Marsden,
who last year shared second prize in an
international climate responsive dwellings
design competition. Britney discussed her
entry in the competition and her experience in
participating in such an international event.
In August Craig Froome of the Global
Change Institute at the University of
Queensland will deliver a presentation on his
trip to the US where he’s speaking with some
of the leading solar energy research groups on
solar energy and visiting solar installations and
facilities in Arizona and elsewhere.
AuSES Victoria – David Ferrari, ChairBranch email: [email protected]
Keeping Echuca Hospital cool and comfortableOne notable development in Victoria is the
Echuca Hospital Solar Cooling project.
Solar cooling uses heat from the sun to
drive a thermal cooling process. Solar cooling
systems typically consists of a solar collector
system (collector field and storage tank) and a
sorption chiller which produces cooled water
that is supplied to any type of air-conditioning
equipment (eg air handling units, fan-coils,
chilled ceilings).
There is also the potential to combine this
technology with solar domestic hot water
supply and solar space heating.
Sustainability Victoria partly funded the
replacement of two electric air-conditioning
systems with a solar cooling installation at
Echuca Regional Health hospital through the
Renewable Energy Support Fund.
The project reduces peak electricity
demand, fossil fuel consumption and
greenhouse gas emissions.
The solar field has 102 evacuated tube
collectors (442m2) that feed 95°C hot water to
an absorption chiller (500kW cooling capacity)
reducing its natural gas consumption.
When the absorption chiller is not in use
the hot water from the collector field is used
for the domestic hot water demand or stored
in hot water tanks for later use. The solar
collector field is backed up by a gas burner that
secures the hot water supply to the absorption
chiller and the comfort levels in the air-
conditioned buildings.
The cooling system was installed in early
2011. It is expected that the solar cooling
system saves annually 1,400 tonnes CO2-eq and
$60,000 in energy bills. The project also saves
investment costs in upgrading the hospital’s
electricity grid which was under stress due to
increased electricity demand caused by rising
air-conditioning demand.
One of Nur’s climate-responsive buildings in Turkey.
sa
vicqld
DISTRIBUTION AND TRADE ENQUIRIES WELCOME
The latest in Solar Hot Watersystems is � nally here...
Exciting isn’t it.
For more information call 1300 313 573or visit www.heavenlysolar.com.au
SYSTEM SIZE 1 2 3 4
250L 25 Tube 29 29 29 24
300L 25 Tube 28 29 28 23
300L 30 Tube 31 31 31 26
400L 30 Tube 37 39 37 29
REC ZONESSizes Available Suits250L tank with 1 x 25 Tube Collector
300L tank with 1 x 25 Tube Collector
300L tank with 1 x 30 Tube Collector
400L tank with 1 x 30 Tube Collector
5 YEARWARRANTY
5 YEARWARRANTYAVAILABLE
EXTENDEDINCLUDES
Give your customers confi dence in solar and differentiate your business from the rest.• 24\7 Real time Performance Monitoring: both solar PV generation & electricity usage;
• Plug n Play: connects to single phase meter box and solar inverter communicating via ethernet over powerline to home internet;
• Fleet Portal: Stay connected to all your solar installations and manage customer assets;
• Inverter Agnostic: can be retrofi tt to any inverter or Solar installation;
• Real Time: data recorded every 5 minutes showing load, generation and feed in;
• Customisable: use your branding to promote more business to customers;
• Reporting: Holds 5years of data so customers can compare year to year;
• Alert Monitoring: add service value to customers ensuring maximum returns;
• Reduce Service Costs: Avoid service calls responding to non-critical issues;
• Solar Kiosk: Offer corporate customers the ability to promote their green credentials of all their sites through one aggregated kiosk view that can be seen in multiple outlets;
• DemandiQ Home Area Network (HAN): Coming soon – utility grade demand management, perform load shifting, goal setting and home automation programs right down to the appliance level.
Phone 1300 660 180
Knowledge is PowerIntroducing ecoiQ smart energy monitoring!
Visit ecovation.com.au * Terms and conditions apply. Subject to availability. See website for details.
Note: Values for systems installed before 31st October.
Note: STC values per system valid until 31st October, 2011
32 | WINTER 2011
Solar Cities
Magnetic power
Free multi-crystalline solar panels – tick. Smart meters – installed at no cost. Energy saving CFL light globes - on
the freebie list. Water saving showerheads – supplied.
Just some of the benefits of living on Magnetic Island which was
earmarked as a Solar City back in 2004 in the trial aimed at reducing peak
energy demand and electricity usage.
Residents of Magnetic Island are also supplied with a hose gun; these
and showerheads are supplied for more than one good reason: the island
lacks potable water so all supplies are pumped over from mainland. The
less water used, the less power used in pumping across the hilly island.
With a multi-million dollar stake in the project Ergon Energy does its
best to ensure the CFL and LED globes lighting that is supplied do not
gather dust.
“If you present people with a box of energy saving globes the chances
are they will sit in the box unused till an old one blows, so a Solar City
Energy Assessor switches them over on installation,” said Julie Heath who
is the project’s Community Engagement Manager.
“In the changeover we have removed close to 360kW of energy
demand.” Reduced power use has also stemmed from heightened
awareness – again with thanks to technology.
Get smartSince February 2008 1634 of the target 1700 smart meters have been
installed. But what’s so clever about them?
Measuring electricity in 30-minute intervals produces a real-time
record of how much electricity is being used at any stage, and this is
communicated via an in-house display that enables residents to better
understand and control their electricity use.
Landis and Gyr – previously Ampy – is the name behind those meters.
“Equipped with a communications module they are able to talk to each
other as well as the local data centre,” Heath said. “They have an ability
to send messages that could be useful in upcoming tariff trials.”
“EcoMeter in–house displays provide feedback on their use in real
time, in a bid to help householders modify behavior to limit use,” she
explained. “Reducing energy use during the peak hours of six and nine
pm when people arrive home from work, flick on the TV or PC, cook
dinner and turn on the air conditioner is part and parcel of initiatives.”
PVs a plentyIsland dwellers have the opportunity to host Ergon Energy
solar photovoltaic (PV) systems that collectively will amount to 800
kilowatts of solar PV on homes, businesses and community buildings
across Magnetic Island. Residential installations rated at 1.5 to 4.5kW
of energy, and commercial 8 to 23kW, will eventually generate close to
one megawatthour a day of renewable energy on average every year,
with updated and more efficient new technology installed when it
becomes available
To date 182 PVsystems have been installed - a bit less than half
originally planned – adding up to 514 kW of generating capacity.
The multi-crystalline panels rated at 135 or 210W are supplied
courtesy of Kyocera (Kyoto Ceramic Company), with the DC power
generated being converted to AC using SMA Sunny Boy inverters.
Long-term supply contracts were locked in at the start of the Solar
City project for meters, PV panels and inverters.
Deferment of infrastructure What is in all of this for Ergon Energy?
According to Heath, back in 2004 the energy company was modeling
population growth indicators, and forecasts revealed that electricity
supplies to the island would need to be supplemented in 2009. It’s a
costly proposition: power is supplied via two undersea cables and the
price tag for a third cable could be a hefty $20 million.
The investment has been deferred by about seven years following
energy reductions brought about working with the community to
reduce peak demand and overall consumption, and also by the transition
to solar power.
Bird’s eye view of beach March 19 2007 before cyclone Larry ripped through.
In this first of a seven-part series Solar Progress gains insight into developments at Magnetic Island which is one of Australia’s seven Solar Cities.
SolarProgress | 33
The small community of
Magnetic Island is embracing the transition to solar power which to date has reduced
greenhouse gas emissions by
30,000 tonnes. But how close is that to the target?
Research indicates people are marginally more conscious of energy
use once PVs have been installed on rooftops, with 55% of premises
reducing consumption.
The most recent available figures at the time of the interview were for
May which indicated a 16% reduction overall in consumption since the
beginning of the project.
Measurement is key to the project and Magnetic Island, with its clear
physical demographics and electricity network boundaries, was ideally
placed to partake in the Government’s $94 million Solar Cities program
along with Adelaide, Blacktown in NSW, Alice Springs, Central Victoria,
Moreland (Coburg just north of Melbourne) and Perth.
To marketIn the early days of the project an office base was set up on the island,
while a more permanent home was constructed in a refurbished building
in Horseshoe Bay. Community based marketing techniques have been
pivotal to reinforcing the message and gaining acceptance.
“Traditional methods such as surveys have been employed but Ergon
also places high value on face-to-face research aimed at understanding
barriers and benefits that motivate or deter people from saving
electricity,” Heath explained.
In a program that commenced in early February 2008 and concluded
earlier this year, about 1337 residents and 157 businesses received a free
in-house energy assessment that runs for up to two hours.
“Assessors make recommendations for reducing energy and ask people
if they want to host PVs on their property,” Heath explained. “Not all
people view this as a benefit; some are nervous for example about the
impact of cyclones but our trained installers use existing screw holes and
all work is certified and sound.”
“At the outset we listed the range of energy and water saving products
provided. There is more: residents are offered $500 to switch to gas for
cooking (a move that happily coincided with the stimulus package) and a
$50 incentive to buy an LCD TV rather than plasma.
“We’ve learnt that small incentives work as well as large … a little bit
can tip people over, for example our $500 incentive for solar or gas hot
water or heat pump is well received.
“And after the complimentary assessment they are left with devices
in what we call the goodies bag containing free energy-saving devices
and an energy saving booklet that is all part of the awareness raising
technique.”
Barriers, benefits and measurements Useful material relating to so-called barriers and benefits that motivate or
deter people from saving electricity has been gleaned via surveys.
Conducted back in 2007 the original survey identified the top barriers
to energy efficiency as increased cost, insufficient information, too
difficult to change, living in rented premises etc.
These and other insights have provided Ergon with some clear
directions for action on the project, some of which have been conveyed
to government stakeholders.
Other data has been collected and collated in the mission to reduce
wasteful energy usage, increase solar energy usage and cut greenhouse
gas emissions by more than 50,000 tonnes, wiping the equivalent of
1700 cars from the roads.
To late April 2011 cumulative emission reduction was 29,052
greenhouse tonnes i.e. 58% of the target.
The project is on track to achieve the full target by June 2013, which
marks the end of trial.
“We have worked hard to promote long-term behavior change and
data shows that Magnetic Island residents have saved thirty percent on
energy bills in the few months following their energy assessment and on
average they are still saving 10-11% around 18 months down the track,
so there are some long term changes.”
The project is earmarked to run for another two years but maintenance
of Ergon owned panels and fittings will continue beyond 2013.
Today, the question on the minds of many is: would it be possible to
power Magnetic Island entirely from solar energy alone at some point in
the near or more distant future?
34 | WINTER 2011
Charged with the task of driving developments at SilexSolar, Rod Seares
is a busy man. A subsidiary of parent ASX listed
Silex Systems, SilexSolar has been ramping
up activities at what is now the Southern
hemisphere’s largest integrated photovoltaic
(PV) cell and solar panel manufacturing plant.
Among the recent advances are an online
ordering system for customers that reduces
delivery times and enables smaller orders;
installation of new equipment including one
massive laminator and the introduction of a
new robotic assembly system to speed up panel
manufacturing. To keep the wheels turning and
shelves stocked with product, the plant now
operates around the clock.
The new efforts are winning the company
impressive customers: part of the Senate Wing
roof at Parliament House in Canberra now
sports the company’s solar panels.
Since late 2009, the group has invested over
$40 million in Solar Technology in Australia
(Silex Solar and Solar Systems, a second
subsidiary based in Melbourne developing
a utility scale PV technology for Solar Power
Stations) at a crucial time in an industry that
continues to advance at a rapid rate – despite
changes in State and Federal policies, clawbacks
and drawbacks.
Rod took us behind-the-scenes to bring us
up-to-date on their state-of-the-art systems.
Solar Progress (SP): How advanced is SilexSolar in developing advanced mono-silicon processing to achieve conversion efficiencies in commercial quantities and at low cost?Rod Seares (RS): Although our plant is
capable of producing both multi-crystalline
and mono-crystalline cells, we have chosen
mono-crystalline silicon at present as it gives
the highest efficiency. Mono is more expensive,
but it produces more power and hence better
$/Watt. We have made quite reasonable
technology progress, conversion efficiencies
are approaching 18% but we have a way to
go to reach 20%. There is a technology plan to
achieve that and we are progressing well.
We were fortunate in being able to purchase
the plant from BP which had invested over $70
million in capital since 2000. We have since
built on this base.
We bought the plant for $6.5 million and
employed key ex-BP staff with decades of
experience developed here in Australia, and
that’s how we quickly developed the expertise.
SP: How has SilexSolar successfully coped with rising demand?RS: Our parent company has enabled SilexSolar
to update and invest in new technology and
equipment, and this has enabled us to become
more productive while producing more panels
than the plant ever did in the past.
Specifically this capacity has come about
as we have added to and re-equipped parts
of the plant and deployed new robots and
automation. Our productivity has continued
to improve, and must continue to do so in this
fast moving solar market. Ultimately everyone
has a long term goal of less cost to enable us to
reach grid parity as quickly as possible.
SP: You recently launched an online ordering system. Does this diminish the role of your distributors?RS: Not at all - our key distributors remain
very important and also benefit from the new
system. The new system has been up and
running since around Easter this year, and our
aim is to enhance service to all our customers.
Our new internet kiosk computer system
controls all of our company operations and is
a good portal for customers, around the clock
they can see what’s in stock and place and
track orders. It’s internet web browser based,
AuSES Q&A
As Australia’s only large-scale manufacturer of solar cells
and panels at the SOP PV manufacturing facility, SilexSolar
is a significant player in Australia’s clean energy industry.
SilexSolar’s singular success
Solar Progress caught up with General Manager Rod Seares for an update on recent developments at the company and to learn his views on the state of the solar industry.
Rod Seares has spent more than a decade in Solar around the world, including four years in Maryland, USA at BP’s ‘largest vertically integrated’ solar plant as Director of Operations of North American Solar Manufacturing. Rod has also spent time in China, and gained a solid grounding across the whole manufacturing value stream of solar energy.
SolarProgress | 35
real time, mobile accessible and really this sort
of technology was not available in a cost-
effective way five years ago.
We are now targeting those who were not
buying from us. Other advantages are that our
customers can buy smaller quantities from us,
as little as a pallet (25 or 30 panels) and it will
be sent out quite promptly.
By contrast if you want to buy direct from
factories in Asia, you usually need to order
in container load sizes, pay up front (with
exposure to fluctuating foreign exchange rates)
and then wait for your order to arrive six weeks
later if you’re lucky!
Of course customers can also buy direct
from our distributors who enjoy other price
breaks because they buy and stock larger
quantities from us. We are mindful of
price-points and what is appropriate for
different market segments.
SP: How did SilexSolar successfully gain the tender to install PV panels at Parliament House in Canberra?RS: As CEO Dr Michael Goldsworthy said:“It
was a very competitive bidding process, and the
outcome showcases the quality of SilexSolar’s
photovoltaic technology.”
This is a measure of confidence by the
Australian government in Australian technology
and manufacturing.
We worked very closely with our consortium
partner Todae Solar on this project, and
together we have completed the job in good
time for a government contract.
The lead-up time was surprisingly fast. The
tender was released at Christmas 2010, closed
in February and awarded in April, with work
installed in May and commissioned in June.
It’s now operational.
SP: Has your direction shifted since taking over Solar Systems in early 2010?
RS: No our direction has not changed. The
group sees Solar Systems (CPV) and Silex
Solar (PV) as different but complementary
technology. The group can now cover
projects and manufacturing technology
from small residential systems; to medium
scale commercial systems all the way up to
large Utility scale Solar Power Stations. The
application depends on the location and size
of the project.
The new Solar Systems factory at Abbotsford
was purpose built to produce their “Dense
Array” unique CPV technology. This facility will
be capable of producing approximately 500MW
of CPV receiver module capacity per annum. It’s
a very exciting breakthrough technology.
The factory is at the final stages of being
reconfigured for the latest advances in
technology for very high efficiency cells
(triple junction 40%+). They are also refining
and relaunching some of their really big
projects, utility-scale deployments like power
stations (Mildura etc).
Solar Systems have a number of facilities
in Victoria. In addition to the factory
at Abbotsford there is a 160kW CPV
demonstration dish site at Bridgewater near
Bendigo. Overall there is about 1.5MW of Solar
Systems installations around Australia.
SP: What are the unique characteristics of Australia’s solar industry? RS: Because Australia has a strong economy
and an excellent sunlight resource, people love
‘solar’. Our three billion dollar (and growing)
domestic solar industry has become very
attractive for overseas businesses and they
are increasingly targeting Australia as a good
destination for their solar products to earn
very significant export dollars. Competition is
intense. So I believe we need to be very careful
to take this opportunity to build a domestic
solar manufacturing industry now in parallel
“Our goal medium
term is to have a
solar panel directly
producing AC power
incorporating a good
storage unit. This
can be done now, but
it needs to produce
power at or less than
Grid parity prices.
Imagine where
solar will go then
and the difference
it could make!”
36 | WINTER 2011
AuSES Q&A
with imports, or otherwise most of our solar
technology, jobs, investments and supporting
government expenditure ends up primarily
benefiting overseas economies.
We need to quickly develop a framework to
support local industry and Australian jobs first,
by putting appropriate and effective policies
and programs in place.
SP: You are reported as stating that the Australian PV market has been somewhat volatile in recent times ... what needs to be done to smooth the ride?RS: It seems like every few months or so over
the past few years the rules or policies have
changed over feed in tariffs and installation
incentives. There have been new schemes,
schemes ended or suspended, replacements
and announcement of futures schemes or
targets which then change!
So many people have compared our
industry to that of a roller coaster ride, which
unfortunately between changes (dips in the
ride) has seen long vacuums in support for
several months or quarters.
The solar industry needs longer term
certainty. When you are investing in a business
you need to know what the future holds so you
can plan on that. But if you are unsure whether
a scheme will be in place or changed tomorrow
it’s hard to make plans or make a project
bankable or to finance.
We need industry policies to stimulate low
or preferably no carbon energy production that
are not too generous and not too pessimistic,
policies that strike the right balance for
investment and incentive, are sustainable and
have a set lifetime.
SP: Who or what is driving the industry?RS: I think solar is still seen as an industry
that can do good for the world environment,
but increasingly entrepreneurs, investors,
pension funds and others now want to take
the opportunity to make an income from solar.
In the previous decade the industry was more
R&D focused, but it is now becoming almost
mainstream and big business.
Globally rising electricity prices, energy
security and certainty are becoming increasingly
important drivers for our industry.
SP: What does the future hold?RS: The global future for solar is exciting.
The long term growth rate will continue to
be strong. It is currently averaging above an
annual 40% growth rate annually over the past
decade, albeit starting from a low base.
It is estimated that last year there was over
10,000 people directly working in Solar in
Australia. The Australian solar market was
estimated at over two billion dollars last year, it
could be three billion dollars or more this year,
and up to 15,000 working in it.
But still Solar in Australia only supplies less
than one percent of Australia’s electricity – so
we have a long way to go before we catch up
with other forms of electricity generation. One
of the great things about solar energy is how it
is distributed. For many applications to power
a 3kW house in peak times, you do not need
to build an energy factory at some remote site
and pump in lots of raw materials to consume,
then transport and distribute power over large
distances. You simply position it on top of the
house or building that needs the power and
generate it there. That is where solar will go.
However Solar doesn’t work of a night, so
the Holy Grail is energy storage, which is not
quite economically viable at present. But people
are working on storage and eventually we will
have a cost effective solution.
So what does the future hold? Our goal
medium term is to have a solar panel directly
producing AC power incorporating a good
storage unit. This can be done now, but it
needs to produce power at or less than Grid
parity prices. Imagine where solar will go then
and the difference it could make!
For more information:www.silex.com.au | www.silexsolar.comwww.solarsystems.com.au
The Genesis of SilexSolar
Silex Systems Limited was established by Dr Michael
Goldsworthy in 1998. Silex Systems Ltd was listed (ASX: SLX)
in 1998. It has developed a unique laser-based technology for
nuclear fuel production which is now being commercialised
under license by GE-Hitachi Nuclear.
SilexSolar was established in mid 2009 after Silex Systems Ltd
acquired the manufacturing assets and equipment of the Sydney
Olympic Park solar manufacturing facility from BP Solar.
In 2011 SilexSolar’s annual manufacturing capacity is rated at
approximately 40MW of solar cells and 35MW of solar modules.
CEO Dr Goldsworthy believes it imperative that Australia
develops a home grown all-encompassing solar power
industry which provides jobs for young scientists, technicians
and manufacturers.
He is also passionate about ensuring the commercialisation
of Australian intellectual property takes place in Australia,
rather than this occurring overseas with the loss of significant
export earnings.
As one of Australia’s leading technology proponents, contributing
to significant advances in innovation and commercialisation
in solar energy, Dr Goldsworthy was recently awarded the
prestigious James Cook Medal.
Dr Goldsworthy has led three capital raisings on the market
of $40 million (1999) and $50 million (2007) and last year
successfully raised approximately $110 million, as well as
being responsible for raising additional project funding of over
$350 million through various partnerships and Government
funding initiatives.
Your clients will thank you.
For more information and to order your copy of Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook from $104 visit www.auses.org.au/solar-radiation-handbook
Before you start, there is a better way to ensure that you get the building orientation, and shading, the solar hot water system and the PV system all optimised for best results.
Never heard of Oodnadatta? Do not worry.
We have the data for 27 other locations (including all capital cities) much nearer to you.
Building in Oodnadatta?
“Separately or in combination, the ASRDH and AUSOLRAD is a fine product, created with meticulous attention to detail. It is an essential reference for everyone who needs to understand the Australian solar resource, whether it is to exploit and manage it in our buildings or to harvest it as Australia’s logical and premier renewable energy resource.”
Peter Lyons and Monica Oliphant (Renewable Energy consultants)
Australian Solar Radiation Data Handbook includes:• 48 data tables for each of 28 locations around Australia• 55 Maps (seven in full colour)• 17 Appendices on the science of irradiation
and its measurement• Associated AUSOLRAD software that generates tables
from any orientation, tilt, overhang and ground albedo
38 | WINTER 2011
Technical Corner
Tech Talk
In this section technical guru
Glen Morris look at the nuts and
bolts of solar equipment and
reviews safety.
DC circuit breakers
DC circuit breakers have been commonly
used in PV arrays as DC load breaking
isolators, but there are some important safety
considerations that need to be made when
installing these devices.
AS/NZS5033 requires that there is a load
breaking, lockable isolator in the PV array cable.
In a grid-connected system without batteries
this is commonly achieved by using a polarised
DC breaker as a load break isolator. The
reasoning being that until quite recently there
were very few DC load break switches available
with a suitable voltage rating.
If you are going to use a polarised DC
breaker as the PV array DC isolator then you
must ensure that it is installed correctly -
particularly with respect to the polarity of each
side of the breaker.
Confusion has arisen because of the
assumption that the + and - markings on
the breaker (sometimes only on one side,
sometimes both) indicate the polarity of the
conductor that connects to it.
This is wrong!
Because these devices use an internal magnet
to direct the DC arc into the arc chute they
must have the current passing in the right
direction through them.
Thus the markings are really just direction
of conventional current flow (think more like a
diode’s markings).
Since the PV array is the source of current
then the PV positive cable is the most positive
and the PV negative cable the most negative.
These must be connected to the matching
markings on one side of the breaker. The
inverter side should follow the same polarity
through the breaker (i.e. if PV positive
cable comes in on the left side then the
inverter positive cable must connect to the
corresponding left side).
Failure to make this connection appropriately
will turn the breaker into a potential fire risk
when turned off under load.
Through his business SolarQuip, Glen Morris has been installing renewables both on and off-grid for over 20 years. Glen consults for the CEC, is a member of their Standards Training and Accreditation Committee, is a member of Standards Australia EL-042 Committee, teaches renewables at various TAFEs, is a board member of AuSES, 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.
Correct arrangements for polarized circuit breakers
ABB non-polarized circuit breaker and Moeller polarized circuit breaker
OFF OFF
+
+
-
-
To Inverter
From PV
From PV
To Inverter
OFF OFF
+
+
-
-
From PV
To Inverter
OFF OFF
+-
To Inverter
From PV
OFF OFF
+-
A B C D
SolarProgress | 39
PV systems suffering from voltage stress?
Until just a few years ago PV system voltages were relatively low (200-
300V DC) due to the limitations of inverters on the market. However, in
the past couple of years, we’ve seen a rapid escalation of the operating
voltage of PV arrays due to the ever-increasing maximum DC voltage
ratings of both isolated and non-isolated (transformerless) inverters.
The push for higher system voltages comes firstly from the desire to
improve efficiency by reducing cable losses while increasing inverter
efficiency. Secondly, the aim is to streamline installation by making the
wiring of the array simpler – higher maximum voltage means that longer
strings of modules can be connected to the inverter.
However, there are few down sides to this “race to the top” approach.
The requirement for one or, in some states, two DC isolators on the PV
array cable means that manufacturers of both DC isolators and DC circuit
breakers have been struggling to provide this niche product as fast as
system voltages have been rising.
Adding to this problem is the potential for two faults (one either side
of the isolator) or if using a non-isolating inverter or functionally earthed
array then just one fault on the array side and the full Voc of the array will
be across just one leg of the isolating device.
If this risk is to be mitigated then the isolator would need to be rated
to Voc x 1.2 x 2 (1.2 is the low temperature safety margin required in AS/
NZS5033). For example a system consisting of say 11 modules with a Voc
of 45V would require a DC isolator rated to 11 x 45 x 1.2 = 594V per
conductor of the array (1188V double pole).
There is another problem that PV researchers are just starting to
become aware of – potential induced degradation (PID) or high-voltage
stress (HVS). The phenomenon has been studied by the US based
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and even some module
manufacturers (Solon) have been publishing papers on the problem.
Reports of up to 30% loss of performance in a matter of three to four
years have been made for systems operating in the 600-1000V range.
The degradation is due to leakage current flowing from the cell
through the encapsulation layer and through the glass to the frame. PV
systems with an earth reference (ie transformerless inverter systems) will
exhibit this effect more strongly. PID affects both crystalline and thin film
modules equally.
A third problem that higher DC voltages present is the rapidly
increasing risk of arcing. Every series connection in the PV array is a
potential arcing point. The quality of plug and socket connections; screw
terminals and isolator/circuit breaker connection points all are at risk of
arc failure if they become high resistant or loose.
Experience has shown that even a relatively small amount of
moisture condensing on the screw connectors in roof-top isolators is
causing arcing and failure after only a matter of weeks or months. As
system voltages climb the consequences and likelihood of failure increase
almost exponentially.
As a result of this last risk factor many industry experts suggest that
limiting the maximum system voltage to around 600V on domestic PV
systems would be a good idea. Lower system voltages may make your PV
system last longer, perform better and be safer.
40 | WINTER 2011
Tigo tackles the weakest link
Solar installations are designed to maximize power output across an
entire system. The array, however, is limited by the weakest panel in a
string and individual panel performance can vary dramatically due to dust
and debris, temperature and degradation over time, creating as much
as a 15% mismatch between the best and worst performing panels in a
typical string.
To help overcome these problems, Tigo Energy has introduced the Tigo
Energy®Maximizer™ System which maximizes the output of each panel,
harvesting power that is simply wasted today. Tigo Energy uses a unique
method of “Impedance Matching” to achieve unprecedented efficiencies
and accuracy in power control.
The Tigo Energy solution places very simple electronics at the panel
(the Tigo Energy® Module MaximizerTM) along with a highly-intelligent
Tigo Energy® Maximizer Management UnitTM (MMU) to distribute the
MPPT function. The Energy Module Maximizer contains analog sensing,
communications and impedance matching power circuitry.
The MMU communicates with each Module Maximizer, computes the
maximum operating points, and provides an internet gateway to transmit
performance data to the analysis engine. The solution uses a combination
of real-time module and string-level information to accurately compute
the optimal operating state of each module. It readjusts the module by a
patented process of impedance matching.
The Tigo Energy solution quickly and dynamically finds the maximum
operating state for each panel and maintains system stability and the
system can be configured in either a series or parallel configuration.
Tigo Energy products are distributed in Australia by Solco, contactable on 1800 074 007.
Tech Talk
Design Developments
In this section we take a bite-sized look at who is doing what in the fast moving world of solar energy.
CMS’s intelligent inverter technology
The CMS Smart Series (SS) Inverters monitor both household
consumption* and production of energy. Current inverters generally only
measure household production and require the owner to physically go to
the inverter to read the data, which is not always convenient.
With the CMS SS Inverters the data is sent live to the Internet via its
inbuilt web server and is visually illustrated by tables and graphs that
anyone can read.
Users can login anywhere each day, week, month or year and
watch it online as it updates every 5 seconds with consumption and
production data.
With an internal memory which can hold up to 12 months of
information, the CMS SS Inverters are revolutionizing the solar power
industry so households have a better understanding of their solar power
system and the electricity they consume and generate.
Finally an uncomplicated, consumer friendly inverter anyone can read
and make sense of.
The CMS SS Inverters are produced and tested according to Australian
standards and can be used for new solar power installations or in
upgrades to existing inverters.
CMS has been specialising in quality solar power products since 2002.
Our headquarters boast state of the art research and development
facilities, which invest heavily in innovative solar power technology.
* SS Sensor to monitor consumption sold separately.
www.carbonmanagement.com.au
SolarProgress | 41
SMA congratulates Solar Flagships consortium
SMA is excited about the future of solar in Australia, following the recent
announcement that the country’s first utility-scale PV power station
would be built in Moree, NSW, based on a joint proposal by Fotowatio
Renewable Ventures (FRV), BP Solar and Pacific Hydro.
Each of the consortium members has a proven track record in the solar
PV industry. SMA has been a supplier to BP Solar since the late 1990s and
to FRV for several years.
The 150MW farm is expected to generate over 400 GWh of electricity
each year, enough to power a city the size of Darwin.
“This project signifies a new era for solar energy in Australia and I’d
like to congratulate all those concerned with making this a reality,” said
Zygmunt Nejman, General Manager of SMA Australia.
“SMA is delighted that the Federal Government has decided to harness
the power of Australia’s most abundant resource – the sun,” Mr Nejman
concluded. “It is great news for all those involved in the solar industry
and signifies a substantial employment boost for New South Wales.”
Construction will begin in mid 2012 and the project is expected to be
completed within four years.
The Solar Flagships program, is intended to provide the foundations
for large scale, grid-connected, solar power to play a significant role in
Australia’s electricity supply.
New South Wales has strong natural advantages when it comes to
solar energy, with low levels of humidity and up to 15 megajoules/m2 of
solar exposure daily, perfect for large scale solar.
www.sma-australia.com.au
Available NowHigh Quality I Australian Made I Solar Panels
Direct from our Sydney factory to your roof...
Silex Solar have now made the purchase of high quality, Australian Made solar panels a whole lot simpler.
• Short lead times
• Rapid delivery
• Pallet order quantities
• Australian currency stability
• Unquestionable quality
For further information visit silexsolardirect.com.au
Solar Flagships launched: BP on Moree
Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), BP Solar and Pacific Hydro have
welcomed the announcement by the Federal Government that their joint
proposal to build Australia’s first utility scale solar project, at Moree in the
NSW Tablelands, was selected as part of the Solar Flagships Program.
“This is an exciting day for the consortium partners who are looking
forward to working closely with the Federal and NSW State Governments
to deliver this landmark project,” said Javier Huergo, of FRV and a
Director of Moree Solar Farm.
The Moree Solar Farm project is part of the Australian Federal
Government’s Solar Flagships Program which will commit $1.5 billion
to support the construction and operation of solar power stations
around Australia. When completed, the 150MW Moree Solar Farm will
comprise around 650,000 PV panels and produce enough power for
around 45,000 households, equivalent to an annual displacement of
around 400,000 tonnes of CO2. Subject to final approvals, construction is
scheduled to commence in mid 2012.
Tony Stocken of BP Solar and a Director of Moree Solar Farm said: “The
Moree Solar Farm will pave the way for more utility scale solar power
production in Australia by demonstrating that this proven technology
has an important role to play helping Australia transition to a low carbon
emission future.” While the Moree Solar Farm will be the first of its kind
in Australia, utility scale solar PV power stations have been successfully
operating in the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Germany, China and other
countries for many years and Australia has a higher level of solar resource
than any of these countries.
www.moreesolarfarm.com.au
42 | WINTER 2011
Special Feature
All being well, within a few
years household roofs could well be sporting
a relatively lightweight but super smart solar
system that meets all residential energy
demands: electricity, hot water, heating and air
conditioning.
Busy at work on such ground-breaking
technology is an ASI-funded research team
based at ANU, whose project encompasses
lots of acronyms. Among them a hybrid linear
CPV-T (concentrating photovoltaic-thermal)
system that is generally referred to as a micro-
concentrator (MCT) and CST (concentrating
solar thermal) rooftop system.
But if, even when spelt out, CST, MCT and
CPV-T mean little to you we are fortunate in
that Dr Vernie Everett, who along with Prof
Andrew Blakers is co-managing the project,
is more than comfortable explaining the nuts
and bolts of the futuristic apparatus to the non
scientific community
And so, in layman’s terms, the goal of
the three-year CST rooftop project is to
develop technology for a combined solar
thermal and solar electrical concentrator unit.
Although this is not a new concept, existing
technology is invariably designed for large,
utility-scale application.
“For the rooftop market you need a small,
modular-type system. That was the motivation
for shrinking these large scale systems; that is
how the term micro-concentrator was coined,”
Everett explained.
Enclosed in a sealed system, the MCT
measures 3m x 1.2 x 0.3m and with its Fresnel
array of ultra-lightweight reflectors weighs a
manageable 30kg/m2.
GenesisWith roots in the Asia Pacific Partnership that
concluded on May 31 this year, the project is
already well advanced.
The $3.7 million multi-national APP project
delivered prototype technology that combined
PV and solar thermal for hot water and
electricity in a single hybrid unit that can be
installed on almost any domestic or
industrial roof.
By necessity there was a strong emphasis on
commercialisation and IP protection.
The ASI has funded what amounts to
a continuation of that project to develop
advanced thermal receiver capability. ANU and
Chromasun are key partners in the CST project,
with UNSW and CSIRO providing valuable
technical and scientific input along with New
Energy Partners (NEP).
The grand plan: to develop high temperature
thermal receivers or hybrid CPV-T using the MCT
systems developed from the previous project as
a test bed.
“In an MCT, only a narrow strip is heated as
all the sun’s light and energy is focused on a
narrow area; it does not lose much energy by
radiation or convection, and is more efficient
both thermally and electrically,” Everett said.
Optimum outcome“Our system will be acceptable on domestic
roofs and it has to look good or people will not
buy it; it has to be low profile [compared to]
conventional concentrator systems. And it has
to be reliable, efficient and affordable.”
Ideally the unit (pictured) will produce
thermal output at 150°C – hot enough to
power domestic cooling systems.
“We are aiming to improve receivers, the
workhorse that converts heat into electricity
and delivers hot water,” Everett explained.
“A conventional PV panel converts sunlight
to electricity and wastes all the heat, while the
hybrid receiver does the double thermal and
electrical conversion. Combined efficiencies
amount to about 70%.
“[But] the difficulty is as you heat up solar
cells their efficiency decreases so you need to
keep them to a relatively ‘cool’ 60-70°C.
While 60°C is suitable for domestic hot water,
industrial processing, hospital sterilization and
hotels require water at 110°C, so the research
group is developing a new receiver than can
handle outputs of up to 150°C.
The quandary: cells fail under extreme heat.
“They will not work at 160-170 degrees,
and that kills the system, so we have to devise
a fancy receiver that separates the PV electrical
side from the thermal system yet maintains
the structure. So you have these two separate
elements in the receiver that are optically
coupled but thermally isolated – and that is the
real challenge.”
With a high temperature output, three
MCT units can supply all the electricity a
house needs, all the hot water, space heating
Focus on concentratorsTomorrow’s world is being shaped today by ANU scientists
in a collaborative effort to develop a relatively compact multi
functional rooftop unit that harvests solar rays. Voila, households
have all the electricity, hot water, cooling and heating they need.
“With its performance capabilities the
CST rooftop system will sell itself. It has
a ready market – people want a complete,
greenhouse-gas free energy solution for hot
water, electricity, heating and cooling.”
CALL NOWfor your FREE home assessment
Groundings
Despite his work with MCT
CPV-T and CST, Dr Vernie Everett’s
road to renewable energy is
hardly typical. He spent fifteen
years long-distance trucking and
earthmoving – shifting soil day
in, day out – before a “Damascus
road experience” in a quarry atop a
dozer. Eyes wide open.
“Scraping over-burden to get to rock
is the most boring job. It’s noisy,
it’s rough; it shakes your teeth out.
I thought there was more to life
that digging a hole to fill up dirt
somewhere else,” he said.
Everett quit the quarries to study
computer science before settling
more comfortably in physics-
optics, which in time led to a PhD
in plasma physics and optical fibre
sensors. He’s since spent a decade
in research at ANU.
Remarkably Everett does not feel
his early years were wasted.
“From experiences with trucking
you learn patience, and how to keep
your eyes open for longer, which
is handy when you work long days
as I now do,” he says. “I approach
problems differently to others … a
lot of research is about adaptation
and innovation; and being able
to improvise; using what I have
to hand to do the job is useful for
stretching tight research funding.”
requirements in winter, and air-conditioning in
summer without producing greenhouse
gas emissions.
Hot water suppliesRooftop mounted hot water systems weighing
hundreds of kilograms are a no-no. The
alternative: an evacuated tube system featuring
a tank situated under the house and connected
to tubes on the roof that circulate the water.
Not unlike a swimming pool solar collector.
36-month countdown to D-dayAll in all the CST rooftop system is a thoroughly
rational – and environmentally appealing
– concept, but how confident is Everett in
successfully completing a market-friendly CST
rooftop in three years?
“In research, you must not be too confident.
I tell people that 90-95 percent of what I do is
a complete failure. But given where we are now
I am optimistic – but not necessarily confident
– as many engineering and scientific challenges
have yet to be resolved and material challenges
met. We are using materials that are not
designed for these applications.
Adaptation“For example in the MCT none of the materials
except the glass have been designed for this
application. We take materials and structures
and adapt them. Then we try and work out
ways of modifying or improving, and changing
the structural environment so they will perform
reliably for 20 years.
“We also have to do that in a cost-effective
way, so raw materials, and more importantly
the structure, needs to be designed so it can be
manufactured.
“In resolving the technical barriers, we need
to build a receiver that will perform as required,
and that can be manufactured relatively
cheaply, and perform reliably,” Everett said.
“With its performance capabilities the CST
rooftop system will sell itself. It has a ready
market – people want a complete, greenhouse-
gas free, energy solution for hot water,
electricity, heating and cooling.”
Will this technology change the face of the planet? What do YOU think? email [email protected]
A CPV-T ANU-Chromasun Micro-concentrator on a rooftop installation integrated with conventional PV panels at the Santa Clara University 2009 Solar Decathlon House.
The array of lightweight Fresnel reflectors, each individually tensioned at the end mounting points, operating on-sun showing the focal pattern of the array on the MCT end-plate.
46 | WINTER 2011
The annual All-Energy Australia event, launched in Melbourne in 2009
with the support of the State Government
of Victoria and rapidly becoming one of
Australia’s largest platforms for clean and
renewable energy, has origins going back to
2001 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
There, from humble beginnings in Europe’s
‘oil capital’, All-Energy grew steadily into what
is now the UK’s - and possibly Europe’s -
largest event devoted to all forms of clean and
renewable energy.
From the outset, the aim was to provide
an independent, comprehensive and inclusive
platform for all types of energy, but with a
focus on the expanding clean and renewable
energy sector.
The event now embraces all areas of this
sector, while low carbon legislation and
targets mean companies involved in the ‘built
environment’ are playing a growing role.
Participating companies come from both
sides of the ‘buying/selling fence’ and, as well
as the established players, include newcomers
eager to become involved in the clean and
renewable energy industry for the first time.
While All-Energy is a free-to-delegate event,
a world-class conference programme is seen
as crucial to building a reputation as a major
international forum.
As well as the technicalities of clean
and renewable energy and energy efficiency,
the conference covers the financial, social
and political issues associated with
their implementation.
These then are the guiding principles of
All-Energy Australia – top quality, independent,
comprehensive, inclusive, international and
free-to-attend – which lie behind its rise to
prominence since its debut in 2009 as an
important platform for international and
domestic developments in clean and
renewable energy.
Officially supported by the Victorian
Government for the third consecutive year
in 2011, some 4000 delegates are expected
to attend this October’s exhibition and
conference, up from 3000 last year and 1750
in 2009, while exhibition space should exceed
3000m2, compared to 1750m2 last year and
875m2 in 2009.
Conference participation will feature content
developed in conjunction with many of
Solar flair at All-Energy Australia 2011
SOLAR WORKSHOPS@All-Energy Sponsored by SMA
In response to the growth in the Australian
solar market and the issues arising, a series of
three workshops will be presented by AuSES
at All-Energy Australia 2011 on Thursday 13
October in the Associated Events Zone.
These will be free to registered All-Energy Australia delegates, with a
maximum of 200 attendees per session.
The proposed programme features three sessions:
•What’s happening in the Australian Solar PV Market? – Overview of
the current status and trends
• Install for excellence! – Feedback from the Solar PV Inspections 2011
undertaken by AuSES, and
• Finding your way around the Australian PV Market – Update on what
is needed for companies new to the Australian marketplace
Registration details are available at www.all-energy.com.au and please
note that numbers may be limited to three attendees per company.
Australia’s leading industry bodies, including
AuSES, the Australian Institute of Energy
(through the Young Energy Professionals),
the Energy Efficiency Council, the Biofuels
Association of Australia and the Society for
Underwater Technology.
While Australia shares common ground with
other countries, its clean and renewable energy
priorities are aligned with its own geophysical
conditions, which means solar PV and solar
thermal technologies figure strongly, from
application at utility scale, to their use in the
built environment at microgeneration level.
These areas will be covered by the All-Energy
Australia 2011 conference. For example, at the
utility end, US company Brightsource Energy
will be presenting a case study on the seminal
Ivanpah Project, the 392MW solar thermal
system now under construction in California’s
Mojave Desert. When completed in 2014,
this will power 140,000 or more homes in
California during the peak hours of the day.
A presentation by the Israeli National
Solar Research Centre will examine the huge
potential of concentrated PV systems.
The conference should also feature an
update on the PV and thermal categories of
Round 1 of the Australian Solar
Flagship Programme.
On the exhibition front, solar is well
represented, with key global players including
Sun Earth, Suntech Power Australia, SCHOTT
Solar, Upsolar, Fronius Australia, Sunpower,
SANYO Oceania and SMA Australia.
All-Energy Australia will be held from Wednesday 12 to Thursday 13 October at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, with free registration for those in the industry available online at: www.all-energy.com.au or phone 1800 791 792
All-Energy Australia 2011
AugustSunday August 28 to Friday September 2, Kassel, Germany ISES Solar World Congress 2011 An event to highlight advances and technological developments in the
solar sphere. The focus of this ISES congress is the rapid transition to a
renewable energy world.
International Solar Energy Society (ISES)
[email protected] | www.swc2011.org
SeptemberMonday September 5 to Friday September 9, Hamburg, Germany 26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference & Exhibition PV research, technology, industry and applications.
WIP GmbH & Co. KG
[email protected] | www.photovoltaic-conference.com
OctoberWednesday October 12 to Saturday October 15, Hong KongSolar & Energy-Saving Products A Trade Fair showcasing environmentally friendly energy sources and solar
products, including modules, chargers, inverters, lights and batteries.
[email protected] | www.tradeshow.globalsources.com
Tuesday October 18 to Thursday October 20, Dallas, Texas, USA Solar Power International 2011 B2B solar conference and expo organised by the US Solar Energy
Industries Association (SEIA) and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA).
This is promoted as one of the most important US PV events of the year.
It will feature conference sessions on policy, finance and solar
technologies, as well as an industry exhibition.
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)
[email protected] | www.solarpowerinternational.com
Sunday October 23 to Wednesday October 26 Darwin, Australia World Solar Challenge Now in its 11th year, the World Solar Challenge enables participants to
design and test solar-energy-powered vehicles.
Contact Chris Selwood
[email protected] | www.worldsolarchallenge.org
NovemberWednesday November 9 to Friday November 11, Beijing, China Third IPVSEE 2011 Solar industry, government authorities and professional associations will
gather to discuss the future of the renewable energy sector and official PV
policies in China. Held in conjunction with an exhibition showcasing the
latest in PV manufacturing equipment, materials and products in China.
Global Link Solar Group (HK) Ltd. Phone +86/10/8719441-8, fax -6
[email protected] | www.solarpromotion.org
Wednesday November 30 to Friday December 2Solar 2011, Staged by AuSES See page 15 for all details
Contact [email protected]
if you would like to exhibit.
Leading solar eventsTHE WORLD OVER
www.sunnyrooproducts.com
CALL THE EXPERTS NOW
(07) 5535 1302
SOLAR POWERSOLUTIONS
Capitalise on the solar industry boom, add solar power to your product mix and let the experts manage it for you.Offer your customers quality solar solutions that are cash flow positive for your business. Your SRP package includes:
• Quality Solar Kits and Custom Design Systems• System Design and Consultation• Full Installation• RECs Trading• Warranty and Service• Full Product Training
EXTENDED
10 YEARS
30YEARS
5 YEARS
7 YEARS
CREDIT TERMS AVAILABLE
FULLY MANAGED TURNKEY SERVICES
Industry events
48 | WINTER 2011
Resources & Links
Industry related groups
A quick guide to who’s who in the industry. Your organisation omitted? Contact the editor and we’ll update the next issue.
Local
Alternative Technology Association www.ata.org.au
Australian Centre for Renewable Energy (ACRE) www.acre.ret.gov.au
Australian Electric Vehicle Association www.aeva.asn.auAustralian
Photovoltaic Association www.apva.com.au
Australian Solar Energy Society www.auses.org.au
Australian Solar Institute www.australiansolarinstitute.com.au
Beyond Zero Emissions www.beyondzeroemissions.org
Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems (ANU) www.cses.edu.au
Clean Energy Council (CEC) www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au
CSIRO www.csiro.au
Energy Matters www.energymatters.com.au
Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER) www.orer.gov.au
Solar-e www.solar-e.com
Solar Energy Industry Association www.seia.org.au
Global
European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) www.epia.org
German Solar Industry Association (BSW) http://en.solarwirtschaft.de
Global Link Solar Group (H.K.) Ltd. www.solarpromotion.org
International Solar Energy Society www.ises.org
Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association (JPEA) www.jpea.gr.jp
Photon Europe GmbH www.photon.com
Renewable UK www.renewable-uk.com
Solar Energy Industries Association (US) www.seia.org
Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) www.solarpowerinternational.com
Solar Promotion International GmbH www.intersolar.us
AATF Services Pty Ltd
Air Road Group
ALCO Battery Sales
Alice Solar City
BBernie’s Greener Homes
Blue Mountains Solar Pty Ltd
BP Solar Pty Ltd
CCarbon Management Solutions
Pty Ltd
CAT Projects
Chromagen
City of Sydney
Collridge Pty Ltd
Coolgaia Pty Ltd
CSG Solar Pty Ltd
DDaniel Kohler
Dave Watson Electrical
EEcofficient Pty Ltd
Econstruct
Ecostar Environmental P/L
Ecowatt
edenPower
Enasolar
Energy Matters
ENVIREN
Enviromate Australia Pty Ltd
Exemplary Energy
Exlites Pty Ltd
FFor Electrical Services
Fronius Australia Pty Ltd
GGarrad Hassan Pacific P/L
Going Solar
Gold Coast Energy Pty Ltd
Goshlab Pty Ltd
Graham Hunt
HHastie Services
Horizon Solar Technologies
IIndustrial Plant & Service Australia
Pty Ltd Renewables
Infinity Solar
IT Power Australia Pty Ltd
MMichael Reed
Mitsubishi Electric Australia Pty Ltd
Mojarra Pty Ltd
OOceania Solar Holdings Pty Ltd
Origin Energy
PPhoenix Solar Pty Ltd
Pure Sun Solar
RRF Industries Pty Ltd
Rainbow Power Company Ltd
Regen Power Pty Ltd
Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd
SSilexSolar Pty Ltd
SMA Australia Pty Ltd
Solahart Industries Pty Ltd
Solar-Man Pty Ltd
Solar Choice
Solar Inverters Pty Ltd
Solar Neighbours Pty Ltd
Solar Wind Systems Pty Ltd
SolarHub
Solarmatrix
Sondase Pty Ltd
SunPower Corporation Australia
Suntech Power Australia Pty Ltd
Sunwise Electrics
Sustainability Victoria
TThe Modern Group
Thomas + Naaz Pty Ltd
Todae Solar
Toward Sustainable Futures
UUniversity of Queensland
VValoptics
WWise Earth Pty Ltd
AuSES Corporate MembersCorporate members at-a-glance
Related Documents
