Armidale alternative energy initiatives

Hansard & Papers » Legislative Assembly » 4 March 2009 » Full Day Hansard Transcript » Item 42 of 44 »
Armidale Alternative Energy Initiatives (Proof)
About this Item
Speakers - Torbay Mr Richard; McMahon Ms Lylea
Business - Private Members Statements, PRIV
Page: 84
Mr RICHARD TORBAY (Northern Tablelands—Speaker) [6.39 p.m.]: Across my electorate communities are undertaking projects to combat climate change, particularly exploring alternative energy options and more sustainable household and business practices. Good examples are the Bingara 2020 Vision group's aim to become self-sufficient in energy by the end of the next decade and Armidale's Sustainable Living Expo, organised two years ago, which has been a catalyst for community action on many fronts.

Recently I met with members of the energy focus group of Sustainable Living Armidale [SLA], formed after the first Expo to continue its good work. They have been successful in initiating a project to install solar panels on the city's aquatic centre roof. The program has been further enhanced by Armidale Dumaresq Council agreeing to dedicate a portion of its federal infrastructure funding towards the cost of the project. The Sustainable Living Armidale group also hopes to fund-raise locally to increase the number of panels to be installed. The aim of this project is to raise awareness of solar energy and to increase its take-up in Armidale and the surrounding district. There are several private operators already supplying solar technology in the city and a cluster scheme introduced through the Solar New England Project will increase the number of households generating their own electricity four-fold. Federal and State Government rebates and improved solar technology have contributed significantly to the rise in local interest.

The Sustainable Living Armidale group regards its aquatic centre project as both practical and educational. As the pool only operates for six months of the year, it could become an exporter of energy in the six months over winter when it is not being used. The income generated would be used to install more panels on public buildings in the city, creating a visible solar profile. SLA Energy will carry out an energy audit of the pool, free of charge to the council, to assist in reducing current energy usage and to maximise the generation potential of the solar panels. From an educational perspective the panels on such a widely used public building will be very visible. People will see them every day as they pass the pool, even when it is closed, and school groups can be shown the details and function of the system. Regular monitoring will assist as an educational tool and when people attend the pool an information board will show how much is currently being generated.

SLA Energy has also taken its campaign to encourage greater use of alternative energy state-wide through its submission on the New South Wales solar feed-in tariff for renewable energy. The group wants the State to adopt a long-term, gross feed-in tariff for small-scale, distributive energy grid-connect renewable systems. This would apply to individual households, public buildings, farms, businesses and community groups. The model applies to the gross amount of energy generated, not just the surplus exported to the electricity grid. Time of use metering would focus on import usage and the export tariff would be a minimum 2.5 times the import rate. Funding would be raised via a small increase in tariff on all energy consumption. The system would be two-tiered with a lower final electricity tariff for low-income households and be guaranteed for a minimum of 20 years. The incentive would cover all renewable energy technologies, providing an incentive for large-scale renewable power to feed into homes and businesses as well as individual small-scale rooftop systems.

In line with the New South Wales Government's objective to build the State's green collar jobs sector, a viable feed-in tariff would be an incentive for increased investment in the alternative energy industry, providing a powerful driver at a time when our economy is in need of long-term sustainable solutions. At present households that install solar panels use most of the energy that is produced. This saves C02 emissions, but there is little financial incentive to install solar panels with the current price of energy in Australia kept very low through Government subsidies.

A gross system based on all energy produced would be both environmentally and financially advisable. Installation would become a worthwhile and secure investment. Householders or business people wanting to install renewable energy generation could secure funding with a guaranteed price for the energy that they generate. It is this guarantee that has influenced the strong German take-up of photovoltaics, and in a climate with far less solar input than Australia. It certainly deserves more consideration in New South Wales.

Ms LYLEA McMAHON (Shellharbour—Parliamentary Secretary) [6.44 p.m.]: I thank the member for Northern Tablelands for his contribution to this discussion. Given that climate change is a reality in our communities, I was interested to hear about the use of solar panels in public facilities, particularly the pool. I am aware of the issue that the member raised in relation to the gross feed-in tariff and, as Parliamentary Secretary, will happily discuss this issue with the Minister.