It is Sunny and Still “Sun-less” Anatomy: Welcome to Australia

On July 8 2011, Minister Ferguson hosted Large Scale Solar Deployment Round Table conference at Canberra, ACT. The intention of the conference was to give an opportunity to solar power technology companies, construction firms, developers and others who have invested in large-scale PV and solar thermal industries. The conference was a corollary to the "commitment" the government has made to the Australian Greens which has managed to pass the flood tax. There were over 200 businesses participated in this conference ranging from global companies to emerging smaller companies. The demand from solar power industry is - "clear framework that encourages the sector to grow sustainably." Having listened to this categorical industry demand, it was evident after detailed discussion in this conference that the renewable fundings are directed towards Clean Energy Future (CEF) and it gets deposited in the New Australian Renewable Energy Authority (ARENA).

It was revealed during conference that Prime Minister Gillard has committed to establish a new public service authority to boost solar power and other industries that advocate and invest in renewable energy. The Australian media and intelligentsia hail this move as shifting focus and a move to protect solar power.


Tracing back the history of solar power industry and renewable energy, it would not be wrong to state that the first initiative in this direction was taken by Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1989 which was called Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) process. This was comprised of members from the public service, research community, business, unions and NGOs (primarily Greenpeace, Australian Conservation Foundation and WWF). The intention to convene this group was to advise the government through the consensus that what Australia should commit to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This was in the wake of the coming 1992 Rio Earth Summit which wrote the foundation treaty of international climate law, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).Read More...

Solar Energy – Unavoidable Renewable Energy Resource – Solar Megamart View

We all now the world is in crisis of traditional energy resources like coal and oil.  It’s inevitable that usage of renewable energy should be increased. There are many sources of renewable energy like sunlight, wind, rain, tides and geothermal heat. Among all renewable energy resources, solar power is the most viable and reliable renewable energy source. However solar energy is still not being used widely for electricity generation. Many people might be thinking – why the use of solar power is so important? These are some major reasons:

• We can contribute seriously in the efforts to conserve different traditional energy sources by using solar power.

• We can commit ourselves to save environment and reduce our carbon foot print on environment by using solar power.

• We can be self-sufficient. Sun is a natural resource. We are not dependent on any external agents for providing the energy or electricity to run our household or business entity.

Technology

The technology to convert the solar light into the energy is called solar cell or photovoltaic cell (PV). This converted energy can be used to run different electrical appliances. Solar cell converts Sun light into an electric current by using the photoelectric effect. 

In 1860s the most traditional energy source – Coal – was difficult to obtain, solar power technology was developed and grew rapidly. During 20^th century when new sources for traditional energy resources like coal and oil are discovered, popularity and usage of solar energy saw a downturn. During last decade of 20^th century the world witnessed shortage and distribution issues of oil and natural gas along with global warming issues. At the same time the solar technology is matured and became economically viable as compared to other renewable sources with major inventions. Solar power has now become one of the most sought-after renewable energy resources.

What is solar water heating?

Hot water is essential to your comfort in your home. Taking a nice hot  shower in the morning, brushing your teeth, washing your clothing,  giving kids a bath, hot water is a big part of our daily life.

Did you know… ?

In many households, about 30% of a family’s energy budget is used to  heat hot water. This can be almost half of your electric or gas bill! A solar hot water system can help you reduce your hot water costs by up to 70%.

 

One of the most cost-effective ways to include renewable technologies into a building is by incorporating solar hot water.

A typical residential solar water-heating system reduces the need for conventional water heating by about two-thirds.

Benefits of Solar Hot Water Systems:

 

• Savings of up to 70% on your utility bills

• Increase the resale value of your home – (People want to buy energy efficient homes)

• It can provide almost all of your hot water during the summer months and up to 50% annually.

• reduces your impact on the environment dramatically

Solar Megamart - How Solar Power Works ?

Solar panels capture and convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.  This is then fed to the inverter, which converts the DC electricity to alternating current (AC) electricity. AC electricity is what powers your lights, air conditioning, and other electric appliances.

Houses with solar systems use solar power first before sourcing electricity from the grid.
 

Feed-in tariffs

A feed-in tariff pays you for electricity generated by your solar PV system.

• Under a net feed-in tariff, a premium is paid for any solar energy that goes back into the grid from your house. So if you have surplus energy generated by your solar panels, you get paid for it; and if you use all of the energy you generate it will be offset against your normal electricity bill.
• Under a gross feed-in tariff you get paid for every unit of electricity generated by your solar panels, regardless of whether it goes into the grid or is used by your household.

 
An optimal home solar power system custom to your home will be designed and installed for you by a Solar Megamart Clean Energy Council accredited installer.Cont...