Pay-back time for solar PV systems in Australia

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) has crunched the numbers to estimate the pay-back time for solar photovoltaic systems in each state based on the available Small Technology Certificates (STCs) under the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET).

In most states if you have a grid-connected system, you may also be eligible for a feed-in tariff and get paid for the clean, green power you put back into the mains grid.

With so much happening in the ACT, we’ll have Steve Blume to give an update on the changes to the ACT FiT law passed in February, a head’s up on the ICRC report on the new FiT Premium Rate and on large scale solar development.
If you’ve never been to a meeting, there’s usually plenty of [...]

When: Friday 1st April
Time: 7:00pm
Where: Room E220, Gordon TAFE, East Campus, Boundary Rd, East Geelong
Map: http://www.gordontafe.edu.au/index.cfm?action=2&secAction=2&terAction=4
Cost: A gold coin donation to help with costs
Join us in officially launching the ATA Geelong Electric Vehicle Branch!
Doug Rolfe will kick off the evening by giving a brief history of the group and its focus for [...]

The updated fourth edition of Your Home Technical Manual is now available.
Your Home is a thorough compendium with 340 pages of environmentally sustainable solutions for designing and building a home. For people who are building, buying or renovating, it shows how to make a more comfortable home that has less impact [...]

This meeting will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday 23rd March 2011 in room EN615 of the Engineering Department, Swinburne University, Hawthorn campus (for a map of Swinburne click here).
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The Topic for the night will be – Achieving Sustainable Transport
Speaker Patrick Hearps
Introductions [...]

Solar shines despite critics and cutbacks

In recent times, solar power in Australia has been taking a beating. From critics of government solar rebates to the governments themselves who provide them, it seems the picture for solar in Australia has become uncertain.

This could be read as a tale of woe for the solar power industry and environmentally conscious Australians who have chosen to go solar. The reality is that these changes combined will not harm the industry, which is expanding at a rate beyond most people’s expectations.

This form is a follow-up to the consultation workshops held in January and February 2011 on the Report of the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Energy Efficiency.

This is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide more detailed responses to the Report’s foundation recommendations and supporting measures.

PM Taskforce EE – Consultation workshop response – ATA 070311 v1.0

A low carbon economy, both globally and in Australia, is inevitable. Whilst many would argue that the science of climate change requires that this transition is achieved much faster than is currently being experienced, the scientific imperative is clear that this transition must happen.

Wind energy, particularly in Australia, is crucial to the success of this transition.

Large scale wind is currently the cheapest form of utility scale renewable electricity generation projects in Australia, and will likely remain so for a number of years.

We know that survey after survey indicates that the majority of Australians agree that climate change presents a significant challenge for humanity and that greater investments in renewable energy are required in order to meet that challenge.

ATA Submission – Wind Farm Senate Inquiry – Final 100211

When: Thursday 24th March
Time: 7:15pm for 7:30pm start
Where: Albion Peace Centre, 102 McDonald Rd, Windsor (underneath Albion Overpass, near Blackmore St; UBD 140 Ref. C14)
Cost: $3, to help cover venue hire costs. Tea, coffee & nibbles after the presentation.
This month’s speaker, by popular demand, is Rob Farago from Beyond Zero Emissions.  The not-for-profit climate change [...]

ATA South Australia branch meeting

Hydro Power and Human Power Systems

*** NOTE:
**  CHANGE OF  ** VENUE ** & ** DAY of the WEEK
We now MEET:      The 3rd MONDAY of the month  @  GOODWOOD
NEXT MEETING : MONDAY       21st March
Time: 7.30pm sharp
Where: GOODWOOD Community Centre, (Banquet Hall)
32/34 Rosa St, GOODWOOD SA 5034
Entry [...]