2012 Press Releases
3 May 2012: Big Power Companies Small Minded on Renewable Energy Target
The Australian solar industry has rejected calls from Origin Energy to dismantle the successful Renewable Energy Target.
“Nobody should be surprised that a big fossil fuel and coal seam gas company wants to scuttle the Renewable Energy Target”, said John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society.
“The Australian Government must ignore this ongoing campaign from vested interests and keep building our clean energy future”.
“Origin argues the Renewable Energy Target has been too successful – it’s producing too much renewable energy and it’s reducing energy demand.”
“Where Origin sees failure, the Australian solar industry sees great success. Increased investment in solar means less taxpayer funds invested in an ageing electricity grid. That’s a great outcome for Australian families.”
“The big power companies need to come clean and admit the reason electricity prices are rising rapidly is because of the need to upgrade our creaking electricity grid. Twice as much money ($100 billion) will be spent on an out-of-date electricity grid over the next decade than will be spent on the National Broadband Network.”
“Renewable energy schemes are only responsible for 3% of electricity price rises across Australia, according to the Australian Energy Market Commission. Transmission and distribution and wholesale electricity costs make up a whopping 80% of the electricity cost increases.”
“Big power companies make a lot of fanciful claims about the cost of renewable energy. AuSES calls on the big power companies to submit their costings to a major accounting company for independent, public scrutiny.”
“The Australian Government must stare down the big power companies and maintain the Renewable Energy Target as it has been legislated. The Government must reject Origin’s push to eliminate the Solar Multiplier.”
“Origin has wide-ranging fossil fuel investments, with exposure as Australia moves to a low carbon economy. Its recent rhetoric shows Origin is under pressure from an increasingly competitive solar industry.”
16 April 2012: SOLAR INDUSTRY CONGRATULATES SENATOR BOB BROWN
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) congratulates Senator Bob Brown on his extraordinary contribution to public service in Australia throughout his 25 years in the Australian and Tasmanian Parliaments.
Bob Brown has been a national and global leader in the promotion of solar and renewable energy sources.
Together with the new leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne, Bob Brown made a major contribution to the development of the legislative package that will supercharge solar in Australia – the 20% Renewable Energy Target, carbon pricing, the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation and the $3.2 billion Australian Renewable Energy Agency.
AuSES congratulates Senator Milne on her election as the leader of the Australian Greens. Senator Milne is a passionate supporter of solar as a cornerstone of the new economy and as a major solution to tackling climate change.
AuSES looks forward to working with Senator Milne in her new capacity, and wishes Senator Brown a rewarding retirement.
16 April 2012: STATES AND ELECTRICITY COMPANIES NEED TO COME CLEAN ON POWER BILL HIKES
Australian households have a right to be angry over electricity price hikes, and they have a right to know the truth about why they are going up, said Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) Chief Executive John Grimes.
The State Governments and electricity companies are hiding behind the yet to be implemented Price on Carbon and the Renewable Energy Target (RET) as a cover for these massive price hikes.
AuSES strongly opposes calls to axe the RET. Without the RET we will not have a solar Australia, or investment in large-scale clean energy projects.
These are the Facts:
- The fact is that the electricity companies have failed to maintain their infrastructure adequately since the 1950s or upgrade to a smarter grid and now have, according to the Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson, a $100 billion bill to fix the ageing facilities.
- The Energy Market Regulator says 94% of the price rises are down to this single fact.
- It is dishonest to blame solar and other renewables for this shameful situation.
- The fact is all independent reports including the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) report out yesterday say renewables like solar have had a minimal impact on the cost of electricity other than reducing the demand on polluting electricity generators.
- The fact is if the public are concerned by recent electricity price rises they will be shocked about the rises still to come with further electricity infrastructure investment.
- The fact is the RET is a convenient smoke screen for the States and electricity companies. Without it they would still need to hike prices and so be directly exposed to public outrage.
It is time the States and electricity companies worked with the renewables industry to look at ways solar can reduce or postpone costly investment so cost hikes are not passed on to householders
The price on carbon is designed to encourage polluting generators to look at smarter, cleaner, more sustainable ways to provide electricity, because they have demonstrated they are not going to change without a financial penalty.
12 April 2012:BIG SOLAR REACHES MAJOR MILESTONE
Large-scale solar reached a major milestone today with the first panels being placed on Australia’s largest solar power station.
The 10 megawatt First Solar Greenough River Solar Farm being built 50 kilometres south of Geraldton, Western Australia, will create around 100 local construction jobs.
The Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Energy Society, John Grimes, said today: “The Greenough River Solar Farm is a groundbreaking project, a window into Australia’s solar future.”
See the full release here.
29 March 2012: CHINA-AUSTRALIA SOLAR ALLIANCE
Australia and China will strengthen their cooperation on the development and deployment of solar energy through a landmark agreement between the two countries leading solar energy research and industry bodies.
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and the China Renewable Energy Society signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in Beijing today (29 March). John Grimes, Chief Executive of AuSES signed for the Australian side.
The MoU establishes a solar alliance between AuSES and the China Renewable Energy Society to promote the development and deployment of solar energy in China and Australia; facilitate linkages between solar companies, researchers and organisations in China and Australia; and, promote academic, industry and cultural exchanges.
The alliance will be built through regular teleconferences, annual meetings, joint events to encourage and facilitate networking; information sharing on industry trends, standards and policy development; and investment facilitation.
“This agreement connects solar researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs in two of the world’s most significant solar energy markets.” Grimes said.
“Australia has a world-class reputation for solar research and development, while China is emerging as a leading global producer of solar panels and is also accelerating its deployment of solar energy.”
“Through this agreement, we can strengthen the cooperation between the solar energy sectors in both countries and take up new opportunities to promote solar energy, leading to new investment, jobs and business opportunities in Australia and China.”
Grimes has been in China highlighting Australia’s solar energy credentials including participation in major industry events in Jinan (Shandong Province) and Shanghai.
“With support from municipal, provincial and central governments, China is now the 7th largest market for PV solar in the world, and will only assume even greater importance in coming years as China works towards ambitious targets to reduce its energy consumption and carbon emissions while boosting renewable energy production levels.”
“Participation in industry events, and building our new relationship with professional bodies such as the China Renewable Energy Society is vital to gaining a better insight into the state of the solar energy market in China, building contacts with the key players, and seeking new opportunities to deploy Australian expertise in partnership with Chinese companies and organizations.” Grimes said.
26 March 2012: AUSES CELEBRATES 50TH YEAR WITH TWO INDUSTRY CONFERENCES
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) is celebrating its 50th year in 2012 by hosting two key solar industry conferences to showcase how far solar has come in the past 50 years in Australia.
“AuSES is one of the world’s oldest solar energy organisations. Indeed the prestigious International Solar Energy Society was born out of AuSES, and was headquartered in Melbourne for many years,” said John Grimes the Chief Executive of AuSES.
One of the key events this year is the East Solar Expo & Conference to be presented by AuSES and international partner AUPVSEE at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre from the 21-22nd of August. www.eastsolar2012.com
“This event will feature a line-up of expert solar speakers who will chart the rise of solar and its market prospects out to 2020. Best of all it will be a free event, to educate people on the significant contribution solar is already making,” said Grimes.
AuSES is also proud to be running the Solar 2012, the organisation’s 50th anniversary event in early December in Melbourne. This golden jubilee event will showcase solar research, and spotlight real solar projects that are delivering cost effective, emission free electricity.
“Australian inventiveness, and can do attitude has proven decisive in many solar breakthroughs. From the pioneering engineers of the CSIRO who helped develop solar hot water, to the University of New South Wales who regularly set global solar photovoltaic efficacy records.”
“Our universities have trained some of the global solar leaders including executives at SunTech, China Sunenergy, Trina, CSG Solar and Solarfun.”
“We have also seen leading solar companies launched in Australia make it big internationally. Areva Solar (formally Ausra) is an excellent example of this.”
“This is an exciting time as over 1 million Australian homes have solar hot water, and over 500,000 have solar panels. We expect much more to be done in the next three years as the cost of solar falls to record lows with production increases”.
15 March 2012: WIN FOR NSW HOUSEHOLDS AS IPART CHEKCS ENERGY RETAILER PROFITS
Read full press release here
2 March 2012: SOLAR INDUSTRY WELCOMES NEW MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOCUS ON MANUFACTURING
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has welcomed the re-appointments of Greg Combet as Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Mark Dreyfus as his Parliament Secretary.
The Chief Executive of AuSES, John Grimes, said in a statement:
“Greg Combet has been a very successful Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, driving carbon pricing and the Clean Energy Future package. The reforms initiated by Minister Combet will supercharge solar in Australia.
Read full press release here
29 February 2012: GOVERNMENT SHOULD REINSTATE SOLAR HOT WATER REBATE
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has called on the Australian Government to reinstate the $1000 solar hot water rebate for households, which was axed suddenly yesterday via press release at 5.10pm.
More than 1 million Australians have solar water heater systems, which significantly cut household power bills.
“It seems Australians are now being punished for supporting one of the most successful clean energy programs introduced in recent years,” said AuSES Chief Executive, John Grimes.
Read full press release here
10 February 2012: ACT MOVES QUICKLY TO DELIVER ON SOLAR CAPITAL VISION
Big Solar is the hot topic in Canberra today as the major players in the solar industry gather for an industry briefing on the tendering process for the 40 megawatt solar project which will position the A.C.T. as Australia’s solar capital.More than 150 Big Solar leaders and innovators attended the Solar Auction RFP Industry Briefing
Read full press release here
7 February 2012: SOLAR ENERGY SOCIETY WELCOMES NEW SOLAR FLAGSHIPS ARRANGEMENTS
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has welcomed the decision by the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson, to re-open the Solar Flagships Program for PV projects.
The Chief Executive of AuSES, John Grimes, said: “This is a common sense decision from Minister Ferguson. The solar game has changed – the cost of solar panels has fallen dramatically and, separately, BP has made a global decision to exit the solar industry. Now is the time to re-test the market with shortlisted companies.”
Read full press release here
