The NSW Government are planning to retrospectively change Legislation on the solar feed in tariff rate for 120,000 NSW (Solar Bonus Scheme) households from 60c kW/h to 40c kW/h from 1st July.

We believe this is completely unjust, totally unwarranted and potentially unlawful. We encourage you to support our fight to repeal these changes by using these facts to lobby your local Members of Parliament with consistent messages, engaging with effected friends, family and colleagues to stand up for their rights, contacting media and using social networking to spread the word.

Click here to view the submission: NSW Solar facts v2

ATA understands well the critical issues related to feed-in tariff design, and in particular the cost impost levied across all electricity consumers and specifically on low income households. ATA believes that feed-in tariff schemes across the country are broadly at a point where they can no longer seek to cost recover from the lowest income earners in our society.

Within that context however, ATA believes that there is significant opportunity for the extension of feed-in tariffs in most states, including in South Australia.

Click here to view the submission: SA FiT letter & Model 170511 v1.0 Minister

When: Wednesday 25 May
Time: 7:30pm
Where: Seminar room, Ian Ross building, Australian National University
Dr. K.Srithar, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, India is a visiting scholar at the ANU and will talk on solar techniques for effluent purification.
Troy O’Callaghan from SolaMate, an Aussie solar heater and cooler that is [...]

‘Say Yes Australia’ – to action on climate change

The ‘Say Yes Australia’ campaign is supported by a group of community and environmental groups including the Alternative Technology Association, to advocate for climate action through an effective and strong price on pollution that helps transition Australia’s economy to a safer and greener future.

Take part in the National Day of Action on June 5th. To see what is happening in your start go to: www.getup.org.au

People wanting to install solar panels on their roof in NSW will have no incentive to do so as a result of the planned changes by the State Government to its Solar Bonus Scheme.
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) is also concerned about the cut to the feed-in tariff of existing solar customers, which will add [...]

This meeting was held at 5:45pm on Wednesday May 18th at the offices of URS, level 6 no 1 Southbank boulevard, Southbank (Click here for a map)
The topic:
The role and performance of thermal mass in house design
Convener: Tim Hamer
Guest Speaker: Matthew Sullivan (Moreland Energy Foundation)
Outline
Thermal mass is an important consideration in the passive design of [...]

ATA South Australia branch meeting – Baseload power with zero emissions
When: New day: Monday 16th May 2011
Time: 7.30pm sharp
Where: Goodwood Community Centre (Banquet Hall), 32/34 Rosa St, Goodwood SA (Goodwood Community Centre is convenient to the tram (stop 3), several buses and (a healthy walk from) the train. Enter the car park via Florence St.). [...]

ATA Brisbane Branch Meeting – Thursday 26th of May
When: Thursday 26th May
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
Topic:- RedFlow Energy Storage System
This month’s speaker is Phil Hutchings, CEO of RedFlow.  RedFlow develops and [...]

The Federal Government’s decision to scrap rebates for rainwater tanks and greywater systems has highlighted its lack of serious support for environmental initiatives, says the Alternative Technology Association.
Adam Maxey, the ATA’s water policy manager, condemned the withdrawal of subsidies under the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative.
The rebates were $400 for rainwater tanks between 2000 and [...]

The Federal Government has announced that it will no longer be providing rebates for rainwater tanks or greywater systems under the National Rainwater and Greywater Initiative.
Rainwater tanks or greywater systems bought after May 10, 2011, will not be eligible for an Federal Government rebate.
Householders may still apply for a rebate for rainwater tanks or [...]