Author Archives: Planet Power
Price rises pay off for electricity consumers
RISING electricity prices and a new awareness of ways to cut use have slashed consumer demand. An energy efficiency specialist with Ausgrid, Paul Myors, said: ”We have seen consumption falling by around 2 per cent a year for average household electricity use over the past four years. That goes against the long-term trend of a steady rise. ”It could be the global financial crisis – and rising tariffs is a factor. We are seeing the impact of energy efficiency,” he [...]
Market mess shouldn’t delay carbon tax
The stock market has taken us on a wild ride in recent times. Some, such as BHP Chairman Jac Nasser and Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, have suggested that in light of the ongoing economic uncertainty we should delay the implementation of the proposed carbon pricing package.To do so would be short-sighted. By Paul Burke The case for delay is that the carbon price could increase business uncertainty and undermine the economy at a time when it is already vulnerable. We have been here before. [...]
Solar revenue to shrink as price drops outpace growth
Solar industry revenue will shrink before it begins to rise again because dramatic price declines on solar panels will outweigh corresponding volume increases, according to a new report by Lux Research. Revenue in the solar power industry is expected to slip to $56.9 billion in 2012 from $64.4 billion in 2010, Lux said in a report released on Thursday. It will recover to $65.4 billion by 2016, the firm said. Cuts to government incentives for solar power in top markets [...]
Boom in rooftop solar panels ‘extraordinary’
THE solar bonus scheme introduced last year was very successful in some suburbs, with more than 14 per cent of homes installing rooftop solar panels, compared with a statewide average of about 3 per cent. Figures provided to the Herald by three electricity distributors revealed the north coast had the highest number of solar schemes. In Dubbo, more than 2000 homes had also installed photovoltaic units. Paul Myors, an energy efficiency specialist with Ausgrid, said the number of homes with solar panels [...]
Australia can cut more carbon
With all the focus on the carbon tax, it is not surprising that many people are unaware that the government’s carbon pricing package did indeed incorporate a suite of other measures to reduce emissions. By Anna Skarbek ClimateWorks has done a detailed analysis of the impact of all the measures in the government’s carbon price package in achieving the abatement potential identified in the Low Carbon Growth Plan for Australia. Our research shows that if implemented successfully, the carbon price [...]
