This week in the solar industry has seen tempers flared with a report issued by the Energy Supply Association Australia (ESAA), whose members consist mostly of ‘big energy’ distributors, over the tariff systems for solar owners. This week has also come out with researching showing that it cheaper to install a commercial solar power system without any subsidies than to draw power from the grid. The big talk has of course been the EU’s proposal to impose import tariffs on Chinese solar panel companies importing cheaper panels into the nation.
Tempers have definitely flared over the ESAA’s discussion on costs. The main concern of the paper was how much money solar owners are avoiding paying to their energy companies from their use of the network system. They are apparently also costing energy companies huge amounts of money in the form of feed-in tariffs. The paper says almost nothing about the benefits that small scale solar power systems have or the money that they save those same energy companies. Since the article has come out there have been people questioning their information as well and finding some of their figures lacking. Click here to read the full article.
Commercial solar power is starting to pick up with figures showing that businesses are installing solar power at triple the rate that they were this time last year. It is proving cheaper to install a commercial solar power system, or a system above 10kWs, rather than draw electricity from the grid – even without any subsidies. Since businesses are mainly operational during daylight hours, a solar system works perfectly and can meet almost all their power needs. The average commercial system will pay itself off in 5 – 7 years with a further 20 years of clean, green power production still left. Click here to read the full article.
Everyone has heard about the EU’s proposal to enforce import tariffs on Chinese solar panel companies importing cheaper solar panels into the nation. Although the decision has not yet formally been made, many in the industry are warning that it would be a big mistake to go ahead with the tariff and it will affect the industry as a whole. More expensive panels will mean investors solar projects become less financially viable and may hinder renewable investment growth. Not only this but rumour has it that China will consider legal action if tariffs are imposed. With many countries doing millions of dollars of trade with China, countless other industries many also be affected. With Australia also looking at putting a tariff proposal forward, we can only wait and see how the EU decides on the matter. Click here to read the full article.