The ATA was closely involved in the policy process that lead to the development of the initial NSW gross FiT for solar generation.

Whilst many of the design features of the previous scheme were sound, the economics of the 2010 FiT policy were based on installed PV costs and the subsequent payback incentives relevant to the time period when the policy was developed – i.e. 2008/9. Installed costs around this time were of the order of $10 – $12 a watt (pre-Renewable Energy Certificate [REC] incentive).

In 2010, global silicon prices halved and significant economies of scale in global manufacturing began to flow through the supply chain – virtually halving the installed cost of a PV system in Australia in less than 12 months. No one could have foreseen the magnitude of the price drop in 2011 and the significant impact it would have on the NSW PV market.

This, and the overinvestment that occurred in solar PV in NSW during 2010 and in early 2011, is not a justification for removing or undervaluing electricity generated by distributed solar into the future.

Click here to view the submission: ATA IPART NSW FiT Submission – Final 240112 v2.0

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) and the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) welcome the opportunity to comment on the draft Victorian Energy Efficiency Target Amendment (In Home Displays) Regulations 2012 (the Draft Regulations).

We are concerned, however, that the draft regulations were released so soon after the conclusion of the initial consultation on the inclusion of IHDs into the VEET scheme, and that as a result some of the valuable input provided under that process may not have been considered. This submission re-emphasises a number of comments included in our original submission, which do not appear to have been addressed in the draft regulations.

Click here to view the submission: MEFL ATA submission regarding draft VEET IHD regulations – 12 January 2012

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) and the Moreland Energy Foundation Ltd (MEFL) welcome the opportunity to comment on the inclusion of in-home displays (IHDs) in the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target (VEET).

This submission is based upon the considerable experience of both organisations in working with energy consumers, energy industry stakeholders and government in relation to smart metering, energy efficiency and new energy technologies.

In particular, the submission is based on discussions and consultations had as part of the Victorian Advanced Meter Infrastructure program, the National Smart Metering Program and associated working groups and processes.

We support the inclusion of IHDs in the VEET, and have found the Accenture modelling report to be reasonable.

Click here to view the submission: Final – MEFL ATA Submission – IHDs VEET 161211

The Baillieu Government is on the threshold of a ground-breaking venture. During the 2010 election campaign, the Coalition committed to improving the average energy rating of Victoria’s existing homes to 5 stars. This means raising around one million homes to a 5 star standard – an average of 125,000 homes each year to meet a 2020 target.

How can this ambitious task be achieved? What will it mean for everyday Victorians – especially those living in poverty? And importantly: how can we ensure this venture is a win–win for Victoria’s economy and environment, while at the same time alleviating cost of living pressures?

Click here to view this publication: Liveable homes, liveable future

The One Million Homes Alliance comprises consumer, community services and environment organisations with expertise in environmental, social and consumer policy. Most are also experienced practitioners of household energy and water efficiency upgrades. Our aim is to see a fair and effective scheme implemented to raise existing homes to an average five-star efficiency standard, and reduce energy and water costs for households.

During the last election the state Coalition committed to achieving an average of five stars for all existing
homes within the State, and the Alliance wants to see the Victorian Government fulfil this commitment. This submission focuses on energy and water efficiency initiatives that will help Victorians address cost of living pressures and utilities hardship, and result in smart resource use with strong environmental outcomes – all while moving the state towards achieving the five-star goal.

Click here to view the submission: OMH_budgetsubmission

The ATA believes the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) to be a vital part of Australia’s transition to a clean energy future – and one that must engage with and support a significant number of clean energy projects this decade if Australia is to meet the targets required by climate science over this timeframe and to 2050.

Implemented effectively, the CEFC could unlock significant national benefits of building a robust domestic energy industry for our future, including new manufacturing industries, new export opportunities and tens of thousands of new jobs mostly in rural and regional areas, all with the outcome of reducing our dependence on increasingly scarce fossil fuels.

Click here to read ATA’s submission: ATA CEFC Submission – Final 081211 v1.0

The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Draft Statement of Approach – AER price comparator website (the Draft Approach).

ATA supports the AER’s decision to include an option for consumers with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems to compare solar offers in the Draft Approach (section 3.1.2).

However more information is required to ascertain whether this approach will result in a website that allows the direct comparison of feed-in tariff offers along with their associated retail electricity offers (i.e. for electricity consumption or ‘import’).

Click here to view the submission: ATA Submission – Statement of Approach – AER Price Comparator – Final 011211

ATA welcomes the opportunity to submit a response to the AEMC’s Approach Paper on Energy Market Arrangements for Electric and Natural Gas Vehicles.

The ATA has two member branches (in Melbourne and Geelong) that are specifically devoted to EVs including developments in EV technology; electric vehicle conversions and the promotion of EV uptake. This submission has been informed by ATA members with specific knowledge in this field.

Click here to view the content of this submission: ATA Submission – AEMC NEM Arrangements for EVs – Final 281011 v1.0

We write regarding the Victorian Government’s Transitional Feed-in Tariff (TFiT) policy. The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) is concerned that the TFiT, as designed, will not achieve the Victorian Government’s stated policy objective of providing system payback for most Victorian solar consumers of 10 years or less.

ATA provides an ‘independent’ consumer advice role, both to our members and to the Victorian public more broadly. As we are not funded by, and do not have direct links with industry or government, the ATA is a trusted source of advice for our membership and the general public in regards to the economics and environmental benefits of energy technologies. A key specialist area of the ATA’s in this regard is financial modelling of the economics of solar investment.

Click here to view the ATA’s submission: TFiT Letter Min – 171011 Final v1.0

Residential Buildings Mandatory Disclosure is a Council of Australian Governments (COAG) proposal.

The COAG has agreed that all governments will ensure that regulatory processes in their jurisdiction are consistent with the principles of Best Practice Regulation. These principles are outlined below and apply to decisions of COAG, Ministerial Councils and intergovernmental standard-setting bodies (including bodies established by statute, or administratively by government, to deal with national regulatory problem).

Click here to view the ATA’s submission: ATA Submission – Residential Mandatory Disclosure – Final 120911 v1.0

And Click here to view the adendum to the submission:ATA Submission – Residential Mandatory Disclosure – addendum