By Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast

The more electricity prices rise, the more solar power and renewable energy seem to get blamed. With the coal industry greatly subsidized by the government, especially in Queensland, it is no wonder that renewable energies seem less attractive in comparison, but here is the full picture.

Using non-renewable energies, such as coal, has been compared to eating junk food every day for every meal. It is cheap and easy but ultimately we know that we will pay the price for it. It is a fact that junk food is unhealthy and can drastically shorten and dampen our lives if we choose to use it exclusively. The same goes for the constant use of coal and other non-renewables. It will ultimately hurt us and it does not provide a safe and healthy future for our children.

The Courier Mail stated that in Trevor Berrill’s review of energy policy in Queensland, he identified state subsidies to the coal and gas industry of at least $6.9 billion as well as hundreds of millions for development of ‘clean coal.’ Another $13 billion is promised to infrastructure to support the industry over the next 20 years. For the same period, renewable energies and energy efficient industries have received $900 million. This does not take into account the fact that the renewable energy sector has many more restrictions, laws and obstacles to overcome.

With Queensland now having over 250 000 homes with solar power, it seems some have wised up to the real cost of using non-renewable energies. For some that have heard bad things about solar power and other renewable energies, here are a few common myths dispelled.

• Renewable energy has huge and unsustainable land requirements.

– Solar power and wind farms are the two energies that occupy the least land area per kilowatt hour.

– Coal uses huge plots of land exclusively, while wind farms and solar power can share the land with houses, animals, agriculture and so on.

• Renewable energies are costly.

– Renewable energies can be costly initially when it comes to buying the product and installing it; however, with increased technology prices have dropped significantly.

– It has little to no maintenance so no further capital is required. Renewables will often pay back the cost of its initial set up within the first few years and become an investment.

– It is sustainable.

• Solar power won’t work in the winter periods.

– Solar power is reliant on light, not heat. As long as it is day time, even when the sun is behind the clouds, solar panels will produce electricity.

– It is true that they might produce less in the winter months as the days are shorter but this is common knowledge and can be accounted for. It is expected.

• Renewable energies do not create as many jobs as the coal industry does.

– It is said that renewable create around 2-3 times more local jobs per kilowatt hour generated as coal.

– Jobs in the renewable industry can be created in rural areas as well as in urban communities.

When you see the whole picture, it is easy to see exactly what the extended use of coal power is costing us and it is a lot more than the cost of going green.