ISSUE 90 | OCTOBER 15 OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL
SPECIAL EDITION
GENERATORS OF CHANGE AGL’s Marc England on the new energy economy
WIND FARMS: HOW TO GET WHO IS THE #1 SOLAR 5 MINUTES WITH AMY KEAN COMMUNITIES BACK ON SIDE INSTALLER IN THE NT? Page 72 Page 34 Page 88
CONTENTS ISSUE 90 | OCTOBER 2015 REGULARS 30 From the Editor...... 6 News in brief...... 8 Advertisers’ Index/Coming up in the next edition...... 87 Calendar of events...... 87
INDUSTRY UPDATE The time has come for Australia’s states and territories to take centrestage ...... 10 Industry readies for action at Australian Clean Energy Summit 2015...... 14 State energy efficiency schemes: the quiet achievers in reducing carbon emissions ...... 18 44 SOLAR R&D Local PV software gains currency with global manufacturers ...... 22 What does it take to be a solar PV researcher? ...... 26
WIND Which way forward for the Australian wind industry? ...... 30 Obtaining the social licence to operate...... 34
PERSPECTIVE Community renewables: the next megatrend ...... 40
ISSUE 90 | OCTOBER 15 OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL COVER FEATURE SPECIAL EDITION Generators of change...... 44 GENERATORS OF CHANGE AGL’s Marc England on the new energy economy STORAGE Why TransGrid’s iDemand project is unlike anything COVER IMAGE: before it ...... 49 Marc England, Executive General
WIND FARMS: HOW TO GET WHO IS THE #1 SOLAR 5 MINUTES WITH AMY KEAN COMMUNITIES BACK ON SIDE INSTALLER IN THE NT? Page 72 Page 34 Page 88 Manager New Energy, AGL Energy. Solar gets smart ...... 52
Published by Unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing, by providing editorial material to Great Southern Press Pty Ltd Great Southern Press (GSP), including text and images, you are providing ACN: 005 716 825 | ABN: 28 096 872 004 permission for that material to be subsequently used by GSP, whole or in part, GPO Box 4967, VIC 3001, Australia edited or unchanged, alone or in combination with other material in any Tel: +61 3 9248 5100 | Fax: +61 3 9602 2708 publication or format in print or online or howsoever distributed, whether Email: [email protected] produced by GSP and its agents and associates or another party to whom GSP Website: ecogeneration.com.au has provided permission. ISSN: 1447-2309 This magazine is available to interested parties throughout Australia and overseas. The magazine is also available by subscription. The publisher welcomes editorial contributions from interested parties, however, the publisher and the Average Net Distribution 6,022 Editorial Board accept no responsibility for the content of these contributions Period ending March 2015 and the views contained therein are not necessarily those of the publisher or of the Editorial Board. The publisher and the Editorial Board do not accept responsibility for any claims made by advertisers. www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 3 / Perfect Welding / Solar Energy / Perfect Charging continued 80 CONTENTS
FINANCE AND INVESTMENT Community solar projects the new frontier in solar PV financing...... 56 How do financiers decide whether to bank a large-scale renewables project?...... 62
CLIMATE POLICY International climate policy – what’s it got to do with us? ...... 66 Looking ahead: the road to Paris...... 70 84 5 MINUTES WITH 5 minutes with Amy Kean...... 72
THE SOLAR INSTALLER The problem with DC isolators...... 75 Clean Energy Market Wrap...... 78 Solar accreditation update...... 80 Project profile: Hillington Close solar installation ...... 82 Bulli Creek marks a new era in Australian solar ...... 84 Cooking with solar ...... 86 Solar installer profile...... 88 Editor Lucy Rochlin Associate Editor Sonia Nair Senior Journalist Anthony Holden Sales Director Julie McConachy Sales Manager Tim Thompson THE Senior Account Manager Michael Villanti SOLAR Design Managers Bianca Botter Katrina Rolfe Data Manager/Analyst Gareth Weaver INSTALLER Publisher Zelda Tupicoff New section Page 73 A SMARTER ENERGY SUPPLY
Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook THE SOLAR @EcoGenMag facebook.com/EcoGenMag IS POSSIBLE. INSTALLER NOW THAT THE SNAPINVERTER EcoGeneration is printed on BehaviouR paper. BehaviouR paper is 30–55 per cent recycled, is elemental chlorine free and is manufactured in an ISO 14001 and PEFC- RANGE IS HERE. certified mill. BehaviouR paper also contains premium white waste paper, reducing matter going into landfill. THE PROBLEM WITH DC ISOLATORS Be different. Be profitable. With the Fronius SnapINverter generation we are setting new standards in SOLAR ACCREDITATION WITH SANDY ATKINS securing system uptime, optimising the cost of solar energy and providing flexible, future-proof platforms. HOW COUNTRY SOLAR BECAME THE NUMBER ONE INSTALLER IN THE NT SPONSOR OF THE SECTION Available now: Fronius Galvo - Repower your system (1.5 - 3.1 kW, 1-phase) Fronius Primo - Optimised energy management (3.0 - 8.2 kW, 1-phase) Fronius Symo - Unrivalled 3-phase flexibility (3.0 - 20.0 kW, 3-phase) Fronius Eco - Project optimisation (25.0 - 27.0 kW, 3-phase) snapinverter.com Fronius Energy Package (Symo Hybrid & Smart Meter) - Personal storage solution (3.0 - 5.0 kW, 3-phase) 4 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au EDITORIAL FROM THE EDITOR
he spotlight is on energy retailers AGL story Country Solar NT, which was recently Tand Origin in this edition – are they really awarded the 2015 Telstra Northern Territory serious about renewables, or has their recent Business of the Year (page 88). talk been a matter of public image This is also the All-Energy edition of management? In our October cover feature, EcoGeneration. Over the last five years, Senior Journalist Anthony Holden explores All-Energy has established itself as the largest the question by speaking with key gathering of clean energy industry EcoGeneration Editor Lucy decision-makers from Australia’s big two professionals in Australia. The event attracts Rochlin. retailers, as well as Powershop Australia’s over 4,000 visitors and over 100 exhibitors, Ben Burge. and offers a high quality conference program The future of the wind sector is also a at no charge. This year, the event will focus, as the dust settles on a revised incorporate the CEC ATRAA conference – Renewable Energy Target of 33,000 GWh. an intensive professional development Associate Editor Sonia Nair consulted a conference for solar installers that has been number of key players in the industry running for over 40 years. EcoGeneration is including Windlab, Goldwind and Keppel delighted to be the Principal Media Partner Prince to find out exactly how much wind is for the entire All-Energy event, and we look expected to be built between now and 2020. forward to seeing you there. This edition sees the introduction of a number of new regular features, including columns from Clean Energy Council (CEC) Chief Executive Kane Thornton (page 10) and CEC Accreditation Manager Sandy Atkins (page 80). Additionally, we will be profiling a solar installation business in every edition – Lucy Rochlin the first of which is Darwin-based success Editor
THE ECOGENERATION EDITORIAL BOARD
Peter Castellas Kane Thornton Simon Troman Rob Murray-Leach Ric Brazzale Chief Executive Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, IT Executive, Policy and President, REC Agents Carbon Market Institute Clean Energy Council Power Australia Advocacy Association Peter Castellas leads the Kane Thornton has over a Simon Troman’s Rob Murray-Leach leads the In addition to his REC Agents Carbon Market Institute in its decade’s experience in comprehensive experience policy and advocacy activities Association role, Ric Brazzale role in catalysing and driving energy policy and leadership in clean energy includes for the Energy Efficiency is the Managing Director of the growth of the Australian in the development of the hands-on construction, Council, the Australian peak Green Energy Trading and the carbon market. Throughout clean energy industry. He has development and research body for energy efficiency, Director of Green Energy his 20-year career, advocated for and helped work through to government demand management and Markets, and has more than Mr Castellas has worked design the policies that have programs and aid projects. cogeneration. He has worked 30 years’ experience in the at the leading edge of the been critical to the clean Mr Troman is Chair of the in energy, climate change and energy sector. Mr Brazzale sustainable development energy industry’s growth, and Ocean Energy Industry behaviour for over a decade, was previously the Executive agenda and in an advisory continues to be an active Association, and was and was part of the Garnaut Director of the Business capacity for leading political advocate, public previously on the boards of Climate Change Review and Council for Sustainable corporations, governments presenter and spokesperson the Australian Solar Council the Prime Mininster’s Task Energy following his role as and financial institutions. for the clean energy industry. and Frontier Solar. Group on Energy Efficiency. a editor of EcoGeneration with the Australian EcoGeneration Association.
6 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au NEWS IN BRIEF NEWS IN BRIEF
GOVERNMENT’S EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS ACT LAUNCHES WORLD HYDROGEN TARGET “VASTLY INADEQUATE” SECOND LARGE-SCALE CONFERENCE WIND AUCTION he clean energy industry has reacted with dismay at the Federal Government’s proposed ustralia will play host to an Temissions reductions target of 26 to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Ainternational hydrogen event – The Climate Council said the target is “out of step with science and the rest of the world”. CT Minister for the Environment the World Hydrogen Technologies “These targets are vastly inadequate to protect Australians from the impacts of climate ASimon Corbell opened ACT’s Convention (WHTC). change and do not represent a fair contribution to the world effort to bring climate change second wind auction, after Set to be held at the Australian under control,” Climate Council Chief Councillor Professor Tim Flannery said. announcing its launch at the 2015 Technology Park in Sydney between In mid-July, a Climate Institute paper found that Australia is the most vulnerable advanced Clean Energy Summit. 11–14 October, the event will offer economy to the impacts of climate change. The wind auction will release a delegates an opportunity to learn Shadow Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Mark Butler, said Mr further 200 MW of capacity for wind about innovative applications for hydrogen and fuel cell Abbott has defied calls for action on climate change. projects across the National technologies, explore cutting-edge products and reach out to a “The Climate Institute has indicated Mr Abbott’s targets is consistent with global warming of three to four degrees. This is despite the Electricity Market, and is expected to wide audience of prospective suppliers, clients and partners. Government and Labor committing to limiting global warming to no more than two degrees, along with China, the US, the UK, and all the power up to 106,000 Canberra The event will be hosted by the Australian Association for major economies around the world.” homes with clean, sustainable energy. Hydrogen Energy (AAHE). WHTC 2015 Chair Dr Attilio Pigneri Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s analysis revealed that Australia’s 2030 climate target is comparable in ambition to the US, Canada, Japan, The auction has opened for proposals of up to 100 MW said the opportunity for Sydney to host WHTC could not have South Korea and the EU, but highlighted that carbon emissions will stay “stubbornly high” unless coal-fired power generation reduces. capacity and will close on 30 September. Like the first wind come at a better time. auction, proposals received in the second wind auction will be “2015 will be a watershed year for hydrogen and fuel cells. assessed against risks to timely completion, their level of Following increased commercialisation of fuel cell products in community support and their plan to grow ACT jobs. material handling, telecommunication and distributed energy LABOR SHOWS SUNEDISON TO The announcement is a spot of positive news for the wind applications over the last five years, leading automotive [original sector after the Senate Inquiry’s final report recommended that equipment manufacturers] OEMs will for the first time introduce LEADERSHIP WITH CO-DEVELOP each state and territory adopt National Wind Farm Guidelines, mass-produced fuel cell electric vehicles in the global among other proposals that would severely curtail the marketplace,” Dr Pigneri said. 50 PER CENT TARGET SOUTHERN development of wind farms. For more information, visit whtc2015.com BY 2030 HEMISPHERE’S LARGEST SOLAR FARM CLEAN ENERGY MOVEMENTS he Federal Labor Party’s new policy to support a target of T50 per cent of Australia’s electricity from renewable energy One of the most talked about developments of the NEIL HORROCKS has been announced as the new last few months would have to be NIGEL MORRIS’S Chief Executive of Brisbane’s sustainability agency by 2030 has been welcomed by the clean energy sector. S-based solar giant move from SolarBusinessServices – which he CitySmart, following the resignation of MEGAN “The Australian Labor Party must be congratulated for taking USunEdison has signed a founded – to RoofJuice, an Australian solar company HOUGHTON. Mr Horrocks was most recently Major such strong leadership and recognising the enormous role that shareholder agreement with formerly known as Sungevity. Projects Manager for state-owned electricity renewable energy can play in Australia’s future, both in terms of Australian solar broker Solar distribution company Energex. dealing with the challenge of climate change and creating Choice to develop the Bulli Creek Well-known renewable industry advocate, ACT economic opportunities,” Clean Energy Council (CEC) Chief Solar Farm in Queensland – Deputy Chief Minister SIMON CORBELL, has JON DEE, Founder and Managing Director of Executive Kane Thornton said. expected to become the southern announced that he will not be recontesting the next social and environment not-for-profit DoSomething, The Australian Solar Council (ASC) also welcomed hemisphere’s largest solar farm election in 2016. is now the Host of Sky News Business Channel’s Labor’s commitment. and one of the world’s largest. ‘Smart Money’ segment, where he looks at how OLIVIA COLDREY has been appointed as the businesses can save money by being smarter with “This is a visionary announcement and the right Construction – expected to begin mid-next year pending Industry Representative on the CEC Solar PV Retailer their use of energy. announcement economically, environmentally and socially,” power purchase agreement negotiations – will be carried out in Code of Conduct Review Panel, replacing Mr Morris. ASC Chief Executive John Grimes said. multi MW segments, the first of which is expected to be larger Ms Coldrey has over 15 years’ experience in DAVID SMITH is leaving his role of Executive Just a few weeks after Labor’s announcement, a report was than any solar farm currently operational in Australia. conventional and renewable energy projects. Director at renewables investor Banco Santander to released by independent analysis firm RepuTex, which stated Once fully operational, the plant will generate enough clean be Head of Southern Europe at global renewable that the ‘safeguard mechanism’ in the Abbott Government’s electricity to power approximately 700,000 households. JESS ATKINSON, who used to be the Technical energy company Cubico Sustainable Investments. flagship Direct Action Policy is “ineffective” and “toothless”, At the end of July, SunEdison purchased Vivint Solar, the Energy Advisor at consultancy LC Engineering, is and will enable Australia’s top carbon polluters to grow their second largest solar panel installer in the US, and the Mark now Queensland Business Development Manager at Currently the Country Manager – Pacific Region emissions without penalty. Group, a leading player in the UK residential solar market. battery manufacturer Enerdrive. for Trina Solar, DOUG SMITH has joined Mark Group Australia as the General Manager Prominent clean energy commentator PROFESSOR Business Development. RAY WILLS has joined solar collective Sun Brilliance »» The latest in policy Group as a Partner and will lead business innovation CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF ECOGENERATION? If you know of a new appointment that you’d like us to share, »» Project updates and external affairs. email [email protected] Sign up for the FREE weekly newsletter and check out our new website at ecogeneration.com.au »» Industry news
8 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 9 INDUSTRY UPDATE
THE TIME HAS COME FOR AUSTRALIA’S STATES AND TERRITORIES TO TAKE CENTRESTAGE By Kane Thornton, Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council
With bipartisanship restored to Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), it is time for the country’s states and territories to look at policies that will attract renewable energy investment.
he last 18 months have been extremely announced that they would look to proceed Tchallenging for the renewable energy with their projects. “Although the federal sector, but the major parties have finally been But although the federal policy environment able to find the common ground we need on is now pretty encouraging for renewable The ideal inverter for less-than-ideal roofs. policy environment is the RET to give our industry a future. energy, there are huge economic opportunities now pretty encouraging It is disappointing that the large-scale for states and territories that are prepared to RET has been reduced from 41,000 GWh to work towards encouraging new investment. for renewable energy, 33,000 GWh – a drop of about a third in The RET represents $40 billion in the amount of new renewable energy that investment over the life of the scheme, there are huge needs to be built. But with bipartisanship $10 billion of which is expected to go towards economic opportunities restored, existing industry jobs will be large-scale technology like wind and solar protected and tens of thousands of new farms, and $30 billion on smaller-scale solar for states and ones will be created. and solar hot water. This means a $40 billion It also means no changes for rooftop solar pie is up for grabs for the states that can get territories that are power and solar hot water, meaning their policy settings right and encourage prepared to work households can still get an upfront rebate to businesses to invest. encourage them to install one of these This point is obviously not lost on South Your most challenging roof installs don’t have to be. With dual MPPT and a wide DC towards encouraging technologies to help them save on their Australia, which has set itself a goal of voltage, the ABB PVI 5000-6000 inverters bring a flexibility that is earning the loyalty of power bills. $10 billion of investment from low-carbon a growing number of installers. And new this year, easy-to install WIFI cards will enable new investment.” The RET will continue until 2030, but the generation by 2025, and has already racked up users to track PV performance from their favorite mobile device. So even if you don’t majority of the action will be over the next more than $5.5 billion with this goal in mind. always get the perfect roof, you should always be able to achieve the perfect install. five years, when the amount of renewable However, the most ambitious of the states For more information call us at 1800-769-663 or visit: www.abb.com/solarinverters Kane Thornton has more than a decade’s energy such as solar and wind farms is and territories, certainly per head of experience in energy policy and expected to double. population, has been the ACT. It has set itself leadership in the development of the Reflecting this, the return to certainty on a goal of securing 90 per cent of its power renewable energy industry. the RET saw a handful of quick-fire from renewable energy by 2020. It has Deconstructing industry trends and announcements in the weeks after the already run two reverse auctions – one for movements as well as federal and state amended legislation passed the Australian solar and one for wind – where projects are renewable policies for the benefit of the Parliament. The Ararat Wind Farm, the selected on the basis of their cost wider industry, Kane’s column will be a Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm, the Collinsville competitiveness for consumers, and provided regular feature in EcoGeneration. Solar Farm and the White Rock Wind Farm all with long-term support.
10 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au INDUSTRY UPDATE
While the projects don’t actually have to encourage renewable projects and broker a be located in Canberra, they need to spirit of collaboration between the demonstrate that they will bring benefits government, the community and developers. “Other states – to the region. At the recent Australian Clean But beyond this, there is a suite of including Queensland Energy Summit, ACT Deputy Chief Minister looming challenges that all states can play Simon Corbell announced that a second wind a part in overcoming. and Victoria – are auction will be held later in 2015. Some actions to address these include: Other states – including Queensland and • Avoid introducing measures that would looking at the reverse Victoria – are looking at the reverse auction penalise households who have invested in auction idea with idea with interest, but even just moving to solar power systems provide a more supportive planning • Ensure that standards in place for interest, but even just framework can make a big difference. connecting distributed generation to the For example, the Victorian Government grid are fair and reasonable moving to provide a reversed harsh and arbitrary wind turbine • Promote the Clean Energy Council Solar more supportive setback distances introduced under former PV Retailer Code of Conduct to assist Premier Ted Baillieu, which halved the consumers in buying from a reputable and planning framework can minimum setbacks between turbines and committed solar company houses from 2 km to 1 km. This is in line with • Clarify regulations for solar power make a big difference.” the framework in South Australia that has purchase agreements that allow solar proven successful at balancing the needs of companies to sell on solar electricity to communities and project developers. consumers, allowing them to offer In mid-2013, the New South Wales electricity to small and medium businesses Government appointed a Renewable Energy at prices below standard rates. Advocate – the first of its kind in Australia – With the RET finally locked away, it is time and a framework that is designed to for our states and territories to shine.
Read EcoGeneration’s profile of NSW Renewable Energy Advocate Amy Kean on page 72.
12 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au INDUSTRY UPDATE INDUSTRY UPDATE
he summit oscillated between a more broadly among the community. Turn to Tcollective sense of renewal following the page 72 to read our profile of NSW “We need to find a way of pricing resolution of the Renewable Energy Target Renewable Energy Advocate Amy Kean, who the problem of emissions, rather (RET), and a recognition that the sector discussed the report at the summit. than having governments try to continues to face challenges – particularly Acknowledging energy storage as a huge engineer a transition.” on the back of the Abbott Government’s growth market, the Clean Energy Council – Tony Wood, Energy Program directive that the Clean Energy Finance dedicated its first standalone stream to the Director at Grattan Institute Corporation (CEFC) stop investing in large- topic. Other streams featured detailed scale solar and wind. discussions on the grid, as well as new finance Occurring in a very different climate to a and business models for wind and solar. year ago, lively debates and discussions At the summit’s Gala Dinner, the winners around wind, solar, storage and the grid as of the Clean Energy Council Industry Awards well as networking took place within the were announced. Windlab took out the “We’re in the middle of a confines of Hilton Sydney. Community Engagement Award for its megatrend with renewable energy The Australian Renewable Energy Agency community ownership program at the deployment rising fast towards (ARENA) kickstarted the summit with a Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm in Victoria, 3,300 GW by 2030.” commitment to provide $80–$100 million while Carnegie Wave Energy won the – Jeremy Rich, Chief Executive to support approximately 200 MW in Innovation Award for its CETO technology. at SunEdison large-scale solar projects. Building on its highly successful first large- scale wind auction, ACT Environment Minister Simon Corbell announced that the state would run a second large-scale wind auction towards “If you don’t like how a windmill looks, take a helicopter and fly over an open the end of this year. More details have been coalmine and see how that looks.” released; turn to page 9 to read more. Further, a new Ernst and Young report – – John Hewson, Former Liberal Leader commissioned by the NSW Office of INDUSTRY READIES FOR ACTION Environment and Heritage – was launched at the summit, outlining new and innovative ways to share the benefits of wind farms “The Australian electricity grid is underutilised and we can AT AUSTRALIAN CLEAN use battery storage to make it more efficient.” – Ian McLeod, Chief Executive at Ergon Energy “There are 7.7 million workers in the renewable industry, ENERGY SUMMIT 2015 and 7 million in the coal industry worldwide.” – Kane Thornton, Chief Executive of the CEC
ACT’s second large-scale wind auction and the release of a report outlining innovative benefit “Globally, there is recognition that sub-national governments have a critical role to set strong and “It is not until 2040 that we’ll see the retirement of coal. In sharing mechanisms in the wind industry were a few of the exciting developments to come out of binding targets.” the summit. the absence of policy, coal will only retire if it physically hits a brick wall.” – Simon Corbell, ACT Deputy Chief Minister and Environment Minister – Kobad Bhavnagri, Head of Australia at Bloomberg New Energy Finance
“A flat earth commissioner would be as useful as a wind farm commissioner.” “The key driver for storage used to be power security; now it’s things – Larissa Waters, Co-Deputy Leader of the like time shifting and peak lopping.” Australian Greens – Rod Scott, Marketing Director at Selectronic
“I may have to die on my sword for this, but I don’t see an Uber-style threat for the retail energy industry.” – Marc England, Executive General Manager New Energy at AGL
14 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 15 INDUSTRY UPDATE
“We have to say to men: stop saying there are no women. There are women, you just have to look harder.” – Chloe Munro, Chair and Chief Executive of CER “Don’t underestimate the value of networking, mentoring and sponsorship.” WHERE ARE THE WOMEN IN – Rachel Watson, General Manager RENEWABLE ENERGY? of Pacific Hydro One of the most positive developments to come out of this year’s summit was the inaugural Women in Renewables lunch. Of the 81 presenters throughout the two Some of the key insights from the days of the summit, only seven were women session were: – a startling eight per cent. Recognising that • There needs to be an industry mentoring equitable gender representation is a program for women problem, the CEC held the lunch on day two • Visibility of women in the sector is key to of the summit. Packed to the rafters with improving equity women and several men, the lunch was • Terminology in workplace policies needs to convivial and enlightening. be changed to remove stereotyping i.e. A panel shared their experiences and Alicia Webb, Senior Policy Advisor at the maternity leave insights on gender issues in the sector. CEC, organised and chaired the session. Ms • Networking, mentoring and sponsorship Panellists were: Webb said she was pleasantly surprised by are essential • Chloe Munro, Chair and Chief Executive how quickly the event booked out. • Women need to be trained to develop of the Clean Energy Regulator (CER) “The level of enthusiasm in the room shows negotiation skills to address pay gap • Meg McDonald, Chief Operating that our industry is ready to tackle the issue • Companies should invest in women’s Officer at the Clean Energy Finance of gender diversity at every level of our technical, regulatory and commercial skills Corporation (CEFC) respective businesses. • Women should share their successes and • Rachel Watson, General Manager of “The panel members had some fascinating challenges with other women Pacific Hydro and CEC board member insights to share, and I’m excited to work • Quotas should be implemented on • Chris Judd, Chief Executive and Managing with the women of the renewables industry conference panels Director of Senvion. to develop more events and initiatives.” • Women should be profiled in industry publications and other media. A working group will be established and will feature a few women from each capital city. “Despite the plethora of programs available, it’s hard to get women in Armed with clear strategies on how to engineering and construction roles.” achieve a much more balanced representation – Meg McDonald, Chief Operating Officer at the CEFC of women at all levels of the clean energy sector, the debut initiative has set the wheels in motion for change.
16 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au INDUSTRY UPDATE STATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEMES: THE QUIET ACHIEVERS IN REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS By Ric Brazzale, Managing Director, Green Energy Trading
State-based energy efficiency schemes are making a material contribution to reducing energy consumption and lowering Australia’s greenhouse emissions.
ith the recent focus on renewable Electricity consumption in the National Wenergy, many people may have missed Electricity Market (NEM) has been falling for the significant changes being made to energy the last five years. In 2014, electricity efficiency schemes. Energy efficiency will be consumption fell by 1.1 per cent and energy required to play an increasingly important efficiency activities supported by state- role in reducing energy consumption, with the based energy efficiency schemes accounted Federal Government committing to reduce for nearly 40 per cent of the reduction. emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030. Energy efficiency schemes are not Ric Brazzale. unusual, with more than 50 energy ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEMES efficiency schemes operating globally HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFULLY according to the Regulatory Assistance As well as being a member of the OPERATING IN AUSTRALIA Project (www.raponline.org). In Australia we EcoGeneration editorial board, Ric SINCE 2009 have four schemes that are currently Brazzale is Managing Director at Green Renewable energy has dominated energy- supporting energy efficiency activities. The Energy Trading, Director at Green Energy related news in recent times, with the final Victorian and NSW schemes are certificate- Markets and President of the REC Agents resolution of the Renewable Energy Target based schemes that have been in place since Association. He has more than 30 years’ (RET) and more recently the ALP’s policy 2009. The South Australian and ACT experience in the energy sector. commitment to 50 per cent renewables schemes provide for a similar range of market share by 2030. Energy Efficiency has activities; however, they are not certificate- not been getting much coverage, and we based and place a direct obligation on don’t have a national target for energy energy retailers. efficiency. We do however have four A summary of the Australian schemes is successful state energy efficiency schemes. included in Figure 1. The NSW and Victorian State-based energy efficiency schemes schemes are currently under review, with are supporting the rollout of efficient announcements imminent. The ACT lighting, efficient appliances, building government committed in June 2015 to upgrades and industrial process extend its scheme to 2020. improvements. These schemes provide for more than 11 million tonnes of greenhouse SCHEMES HAVE BEEN UNDER gas reductions per annum. They have REVIEW AND ARE BEING EXPANDED created a market with a combined In many ways 2014 was a turbulent year for greenhouse abatement value of more than energy efficiency in Australia. There were $200 million per annum and support major policy shifts and changes to the investment of nearly twice this level. schemes in Victoria, NSW and South
“In 2014, electricity consumption fell by 1.1 per cent and energy efficiency activities accounted for nearly 40 per cent of the reduction.”
18 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au INDUSTRY UPDATE
Scheme Started Type Coverage Target – 2015 Target review (tonnes GHG)
Victorian Energy Jan 2009 Certificate-based Residential and business, 5.4 million Q3 2015 Efficiency Target electricity and gas for 2016+ Scheme
NSW Energy Saving Jul 2009 Certificate-based Residential and business, 2.6 million Q3 2015 to Scheme electricity only expand to gas
SA Retail Energy Jan 2009 Direct obligation Residential and business, 0.4 million 2016 for Efficiency Scheme electricity and gas 2018-2020
ACT Energy Efficiency Jan 2013 Direct obligation Residential and business, 0.34 million Expanded Implementation Scheme electricity only (14 per cent of to 2020 in electricity sales) Jun 2015
Figure 1. Summary of state-based energy efficiency schemes.
Australia. This has created uncertainty ACT Victoria Victoria Review NSW NSW Review SA SA Review and unpredictability for energy efficiency 12.0 businesses that have been active in the 0.8 schemes and has acted as a brake on 10.0 4.2 new investment. The previous Victorian Liberal – National 8.0 Party Government had sought to wind up the 6.0 Victorian Energy Efficiency Scheme by the 5.8 end of 2015. The newly elected ALP 4.0 government committed to not only retain the scheme but also to strengthen it. The new equiv. pa Million tonnes 2.0 ALP government reinstated the 5.4 million tonne target for 2015 and is currently in the 0.0 0.3 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2010 process of determining the shape and scope of the scheme. A range of options have been Figure 2. Abatement targets under energy efficiency schemes. considered and assessed, with a 5.8 million target considered to be the likely outcome. As most of the activities supported by the estimated to increase by a further 38 per The NSW Government has also been schemes are subject to 10 years deeming (10 cent by 2030. reviewing its Energy Savings Scheme with a years of emissions reductions calculated up- Combined energy used in our homes and view to extending and expanding the scheme. front), the combined impact of the schemes businesses accounts for 50 per cent of The government’s preferred option is to results in more than 1,100 GWh of energy emissions and energy used in transport expand the scheme from 5 per cent of liable reductions each year. As a result, by 2020 an accounts for a further 17 per cent. electricity sales in 2015 to 8 per cent by 2018, additional 6,600 GWh in energy reductions The task of reducing greenhouse and to also include activities that result in the will be delivered, predominantly through emissions tends to focus on electricity more efficient use of natural gas. lower electricity use. Current electricity generation – not only because it is the The combined target for 2015 across the production in the NEM is 189,000 GWh, so largest source of emissions, but also because four schemes is equivalent to 8.8 million the schemes will deliver a 3.5 per cent there are many substitutes to burning coal. It tonnes of greenhouse abatement. If we reduction in consumption by 2020. is much harder with fewer cost effective simply extend the currently committed options available in other sectors such as targets for Victoria, South Australia and ACT REDUCING ELECTRICITY AND GAS transport and agriculture. into the future at the proposed or likely USE IS CRITICAL TO MEETING The state energy efficiency schemes are target levels then the combined target from GREENHOUSE TARGETS expected to reduce emissions from electricity 2018 onwards exceeds 11 million tonnes (refer Electricity generation is the largest source by 3.5 per cent by 2020. Now 3.5 per cent to Figure 2). of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia, may not sound like a lot; however, we need to Over the 2014 to 2015 period the accounting for a third of total emissions in bear in mind that Australia’s emission installation of efficient lighting has 2014. Emissions from electricity have grown reduction target is a 5 per cent reduction on accounted for the largest share of by 39 per cent since 1990 and under 2000 year levels by 2020. The state-based abatement under the schemes. Lighting current policy settings the government is energy efficiency schemes in this context will accounted for 80 per cent of certificates in forecasting them to grow by a further deliver a material proportion of the 2014 under the NSW scheme and 78 per cent 24 per cent by 2030. abatement that Australia has committed to. of certificates under the Victorian scheme. Other stationary energy, predominantly With more ambitious emissions reductions There remains untapped opportunities to the combustion of natural gas, makes up a now committed after 2020, there is a great deliver energy reductions across a range of further 17 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse opportunity to extend and expand these other activities as methodologies are emissions. Emissions from gas have schemes to build upon the success achieved progressively introduced. increased by 42 per cent since 1990 and are to date.
20 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au SOLAR R&D
LOCAL PV SOFTWARE GAINS CURRENCY WITH GLOBAL MANUFACTURERS
New South Wales-based innovator PV Lighthouse is using a suite of software to help PV engineers and scientists around the world shorten the time it takes to run experiments, introduce new designs and increase efficiency.
n the world of solar cells, manufacturing researchers across the world – including Trina Iefficiency counts for everything. Each Solar and the Australian National University increase in efficiency, even by just 0.1 per cent, (ANU) locally, and the Solar Energy Research makes a huge difference to a production line Institute of Singapore (SERIS) further afar – to churning out millions of cells per week. achieve the highest efficiency for rear-contact Engineers are constantly searching for ways to PV cells at the time. tweak their production processes to eke out Rather than building a single monolithic these efficiencies. software application, PV Lighthouse With so many process steps involved in innovators Keith McIntosh, Malcolm Abbott a typical production line, it is not a simple and Ben Sudbury chose to separate the task. To calculate the likely impact of any software into smaller apps that target changes they make, PV engineers use individual problems. software developed by Australian company For example, the typical solar cell will have PV Lighthouse. a textured rather than a smooth surface to The software, freely available on maximise the opportunities for light to be
Below: PV Lighthouse Director Keith McIntosh and Chief pvlighthouse.com.au, has been used by a large absorbed. To further improve light absorption, Technology Officer Malcolm Abbott. proportion of solar cell manufacturers and cells are covered with an anti-reflection coating. The thickness of this coating is crucial, with just a 40 nanometre difference capable of changing the power output by 2.5 per cent. One of the tools in the PV Lighthouse suite that helps with this problem is a very fast ray tracer. This tool simulates the light rays and individual photons that are hitting the front of the cell. It takes into account all the peaks and valleys in the textured surface, as well as the thickness and type of anti-reflection coating. The engineer can experiment virtually with different thickness and materials to achieve the ideal balance of cost and efficiency. PV Lighthouse also has a grid calculator that helps with the problem of deciding how to print contacts on the front of the cell. A typical solar cell has metal fingers printed on the front of the cell to conduct electrons out of the cell. These fingers need to be able to handle the current that the cell is
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generating while being as thin as possible. Mr Abbott and Mr Sudbury work remotely Thick fingers would shade the silicon too from different offices, using the latest tools much and reduce the effective area for in cloud. capturing light. The grid calculator helps “I am truly passionate about both cloud optimise the finger size for any given cell. and solar technologies,” Mr Sudbury says. “After witnessing several tipping points in EDUCATIONAL MANDATE IT that have caused user adoption to Apart from its direct applications, PV skyrocket, I am hopeful of witnessing the Lighthouse software is being used to educate same in the solar space. We want to drive the next generation of solar engineers. down the cost of solar technology by Students at Arizona State University and the shortening the time it takes for cell “We want to drive University of New South Wales (UNSW) have manufacturers to run experiments, introduce been competing with each other in a solar new designs, and increase their efficiency.” down the cost of solar factory simulator to gain higher efficiencies. Mr Sudbury says cloud-based software is a The simulator takes virtual silicon wafers great way to export solar knowledge while technology by and processes them through 10 different retaining intellectual property. shortening the time it production steps, transforming the virtual However, not everything that PV C silicon into a virtual cell. At any point in the Lighthouse does is given away for free. M takes for cell process, the user can pick a cell and There are a number of commercial clients Y measure properties such as reflectivity and for whom PV Lighthouse supplies its solar manufacturers to run thickness. At the end of the line, the virtual simulation expertise. A typical engagement CM experiments, introduce cells are measured and a histogram of would involve software development and MY efficiencies is displayed. research to address very specific problems in CY new designs, and a solar cell manufacturing product line. CMY BRAINS BEHIND THE BUSINESS PV Lighthouse is also supported by increase their The core of this software is expertise in solar sponsors from around the world – including K efficiency.” physics simulation. Mr McIntosh, research German engineering company Heraeus, The Best $/W consultant and Director of PV Lighthouse, is a Hungarian designer, producer and supplier of well-known face among solar engineers, who metrology equipment Semilab, and Sydney- BEN SUDBURY recognise him as the driving force behind the based supplier of PV research and inspection Maximize your investment company. His knowledge and passion for solar tools BT Imaging. technology is what motivates him to build Along the way, PV Lighthouse has At Ingeteam, we apply the concept i+c, in every project that we undertake innovation to find Visit us at: bigger and better tools that contribute to the attracted a large community of contributors the best solution and commitment to provide the best service. advancement of the industry. from organisations around the world. Intersolar Brasil Sao Paulo 1-3 September The new INGECON® SUN 3Play series has been designed to get the maximum performance Mr McIntosh is joined by PV Lighthouse Scientists from myriad top research SPI Anaheim 15-17 September in the minimum space, with advanced Plug & Play technology. Chief Technology Officer Mr Abbott. Mr institutes – including local universities REI India 23-25 September ® McIntosh and Mr Abbott both worked in the UNSW and ANU as well as the Institute of Thanks to its rugged design, the INGECON SUN 3Play TL M from 10 to 33kVA, are suitable Green Expo México 23-25 September for indoor and outdoor installations in adverse environmental conditions (IP65 protection 7-8 global hub of technological innovation, Silicon Energy Technology in Norway and the All Energy Australia October degree) and it is the only inverter available on market able to withstand extreme temperatures CIREC Chile 27-28 October Valley, commercialising new cell technology University of Hannover in Germany – have up to 55°C without power derating, specially designed for desert areas. Solar-Tec Cairo 4-7 December from concept through to production, with contributed tools and data to help make PV The brand new INGECON® SUN Power Station PV central inverters in 40ft. container up to SunPower and Dupont. Together, Mr Abbott Lighthouse’s suite of software one of the 3,500 kVA -36kV, a Plug & Play solution for utility-scale PV plants, especially designed for and Mr McIntosh have written hundreds of best in the world. adverse environmental conditions. academic papers on solar technology that are The company’s community of users has The 40 ft. container features IP65 protection degree and innovative air-conditioned cooling frequently cited in industry publications. grown dramatically, with numbers doubling system, ensuring the best PV inverter operat ion (99.1% maximum efficiency) it is the only Additionally, Mr Sudbury is Head of in the past year to as many as 8,000 in a inverter available on market able to withstand extreme temperatures up to 60°C without power Business Development at PV Lighthouse. typical month. Online users visit from all derating, specially designed for desert areas. Conversely to the other two, Mr Sudbury over the world but are concentrated around The formula of the new energy comes from an IT background, having the major PV manufacturing and research bootstrapped and ultimately sold his own hubs in Asia, the US and Europe. cloud hosting company. PV Lighthouse’s vision is to bring the www.ingeteam.com Although the company’s official base is power of cloud-based supercomputing to the in Coledale, New South Wales, Mr McIntosh, solar cell research industry. [email protected] READY FOR YOUR CHALLENGES 24 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au SOLAR R&D
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A SOLAR PV RESEARCHER?
Having worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, researcher Rhett Evans has seen solar PV grow from a niche technology into one of the world’s leading renewable energy technologies.
irector of his own PV consultancy and significantly change the face of solar DSolinno, Mr Evans is part of a team of manufacturing worldwide,” Mr Evans says. three that provides statistical data analysis in Mr Evans worked in Pacific Solar’s the manufacturing and laboratory context, Manufacturing Development Group, as part of experimental design and analysis, variance a team that was attempting to re-engineer tracking, process optimisation and numerous the novel solar cell fabrication process into other services. something that could be mass produced in a
Mr Evans himself has experience across the cost-effective way. Solar PV researcher full spectrum of solar PV manufacturing “My boss was then Dr Paul Basore, who is Rhett Evans. process development, and specialises in cell now a Centre Director at the National and module operation as well as high-level Renewable Energy Laboratory. He was one of During the early years of the explosion in design of experiments and statistical analysis. my greatest mentors and planted the original rooftop installation, I even got to be involved But where did it all start? Solar PV wasn’t seed of me developing some of my statistical in designing, testing and installing some of as well-known 20 years ago as it is now, and analysis work into a PhD.” the first residential rooftop systems.” not as obvious a career path. Mr Evans stayed with Pacific Solar for 17 Mr Evans was first exposed to the PV years and two name changes, getting the THE TYPICAL DAY profession as an undergraduate electrical chance to work with numerous people – Much of Mr Evans’ time is spent reading engineer at the University of New South including Dr Shi and Dr Basore – who have statistical texts and learning about new Wales (UNSW). His first break came about gone on to play important roles in the industry. statistical models, while building and when he took part in the UNSW co-op running models on a computer. A large scholarship program and was offered a job BEING A PV RESEARCHER IN majority of this work involves exploratory with Pacific Solar. AUSTRALIA analysis of data, and sketching out ideas “Dr Zhengrong Shi was one of the research From managing teams of scientists and and plans in notebooks. managers who interviewed me for that job and laboratory facilities to planning and “Access to interesting data sources from he went on to found Suntech four years later commissioning a pilot factory facility, Mr all parts of the manufacturing system is Evans has contributed to the development of obviously a really crucial component to my the solar PV industry through myriad efforts. work. I like to see data from everything, from “Research is not just a Looking at the role of a researcher from a the production of wafers, the production of wider lens, Mr Evans says creativity, cells and making cells into modules, to the series of eureka broadness of thinking, tenacity, thoroughness, selection and design of modules for resilience and attention to detail are installation and data from energy generation moments. In many important characteristics to cultivate. When it in the field,” Mr Evans says. cases, the data exists comes to solar PV however, additional skills “Research is not just a series of eureka are required. moments. In many cases, the data exists to help you make good “In Australia, a solar PV researcher will also to help you make good decisions about benefit from an entrepreneurial streak, as the what you do, or at the very least, drastically decisions about what industry is small, fragmented and particularly reduce the risk or uncertainty around you do, or at the very diverse. It requires some effort to build a your decisions.” career here.” What may come as a surprise is that a least, drastically reduce Having worked in such a nascent industry large bulk of Mr Evans’ typical week – from its infancy, Mr Evans was heavily involved sometimes as many as a day or two – is the risk or uncertainty in the development, commercialisation and taken up by maintaining a network of around your decisions.” manufacturing of new technologies. contacts in the solar PV industry. “I have worked on and developed processes “I can get access to the data I need at the laboratory scale, and have also been primarily through my network of contacts, RHETT EVANS involved with making the solar cell itself and harnessed from working in the industry for then proving its durability in the field. 17 years.”
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To help him keep abreast with the current was spending so much time working on maths data-related issues faced by solar “I see a lot of problems on a computer. But it is very manufacturers, Mr Evans also involves himself challenging and interesting, and I think it is in project and consultancy work. opportunities in the important work.” Significantly, Mr Evans says the irregular BIG DATA data analysis space and hours of a researcher allows him to share the Mr Evans is fascinated by the idea of big data. I see other research care of his three young children. Otherwise known as data mining, big data “This is not a unique problem, but the type revolves around the practice of developing teams around the world of research I am embarking on now enables and describing multivariate techniques to try me to have a fulfilling job, and hopefully a and get the most useful information patterns entering this space.” fulfilling career, while keeping the flexibility I out of data sets. care strongly about.” “When a manufacturer makes a solar cell, RHETT EVANS there may be hundreds of pieces of data ADVICE FOR BUDDING associated with that cell, and then this is RESEARCHERS multiplied again when these cells are made innovation is quite different to what is talked Returning to the place where it all began for into modules. There is a trend to collect more about in an academic context. him, Mr Evans is now undertaking a PhD at and more data and also a very strong trend of “I am proud of so many things that UNSW, the topic of which is ‘Increasing the growth in manufacturing.” happened during my work with Pacific Solar/ statistical sophistication of PV Mr Evans uses large sets of data to find CSG Solar and Suntech R&D Australia. But manufacturing’. opportunities for optimising the they were achieved through the work of an “I hope to be able to develop techniques of manufacturing system. This includes better amazing team. managing and interpreting data that will help tracking and summarising sources of “The primary achievement of this team was manufacturers smoothly expand and production variance, developing more developing a new solar technology from optimise their operations over the next effective techniques to track and compare scratch and taking it right through to the 10–20 years of likely rapid growth and multiple lines, and generating energy in a verge of commercialisation. But it was also consolidation in our industry.” fielded solar array as cheaply as possible. about establishing a long-term and strong Mr Evans says there are plenty of private research group that survived through opportunities for research into solar PV HIGHS AND LOWS many ups and downs in the industry.” technology; it just depends what sort of The highlight of working in the PV industry, A rapidly evolving industry will inevitably problems incoming researchers want to solve according to Mr Evans, is the inspiration he experience periods of persistent uncertainty. and what motivates them. derives from his peers and the tremendous Further, Mr Evans says the engineering “I see a lot of opportunities in the data resilience of PV researchers as a collective. In profession is not renowned for being family- analysis space I am working in and I see other such a co-operative industry, Mr Evans says it friendly – a prevailing factor in his decision to research teams around the world entering is impossible to call any of his achievements pursue a PhD and consultancy work. this space. his and his alone. “Although my research is still strongly “I have also observed a lot of big “Research in a commercial sector is highly practical in the sense that I am working on opportunities in the way industry develops its collaborative, and the concept of claiming to issues of strong commercial interest, I never notion of a product and how manufacturing be responsible for or at the helm of an expected to be doing a day-to-day job where I can be better geared to truly meet the product needs of consumers.” Mr Evans says Australia is a good starting point for those who have no background in the solar PV field. “If you have good academic credentials, or access to scholarships or other funding sources, solar PV is not particularly difficult to get into. It is a growth industry in just about every country in the world.” He says there is no shortage of jobs for researchers who build a good reputation while they are still at university and are prepared to travel anywhere for work. If he had his time again, Mr Evans says he wouldn’t change a thing. “Having fallen into this field by virtue of a few interesting courses at university and an initially amazing career opportunity with Pacific Solar, I have been lucky to work in an area which will end up being a very important industry to our future economy A large majority of Mr Evans’ work involves exploratory analysis of data, and sketching out ideas and plans in notebooks. and future livelihood.”
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Top left: The site of Senvion’s Ceres Project, set to be the largest renewable energy project in Australia.
Bottom left: Goldwind’s 2.5 MW advanced wind turbine technology.
he Renewable Energy Target (RET) “I think the target can be met pending the Tcompromise of 33,000 GWh – though mix of projects to be developed. Hopefully, lower than the initially agreed upon 41,000 heading into the New Year, we will see GWh – was widely welcomed by the wind investments flow and projects kick off. If we industry. However, it has since been far from can see continuity in the projects, then we a rosy picture. would like to invest in facilities and expand our Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s sustained capacity to help meet the RET by 2020 with as attacks on the visual impact of wind turbines much local content as possible.” John Titchen, Managing was followed by a Federal Government draft Although the RET was lower than what the Director of Goldwind. directive that stopped the Clean Energy industry wanted, bipartisan support for the Finance Corporation (CEFC) from investing in target and the removal of the two yearly RET resolution is the more important of the large-scale solar and wind. A national wind reviews have been steps in the right direction. two developments. WHICH WAY FORWARD farm commissioner is set to be appointed, John Titchen, Managing Director of wind “There are a variety of approaches to the and a recently released report by the Senate turbine manufacturer Goldwind, welcomes the financing of wind farms. We are flexible in our Inquiry recommended proposals that will resolution of the lengthy RET review. approach, based on the requirements of each FOR THE AUSTRALIAN severely curtail the development of wind “It is estimated that approximately project. The key issue is the resolution of the farms. The list goes on. 5,000 MW of wind power needs to be installed RET review. The target is clear and it supports That aside, wind farm projects are going to meet the 2020 target – this will be a period substantial wind power development in ahead, and the RET resolution provides a of strong growth for the Australian wind Australia,” Mr Titchen says. WIND INDUSTRY? much-needed change in the status quo of sector,” Mr Titchen says. Conversely, Mr McKinna says that the the last 18 months. What lies ahead for the Roger Price, Chairman of wind developer CEFC directive could have a very real wind sector? Windlab, expects the revised RET to be impact on investment in wind projects, Despite continuing political uncertainty, wind farm projects have surged ahead in the aftermath easily met. but that leadership from the states may RET RESOLUTION = GOOD FOR “There are more than enough economically soften the blow. of the RET resolution. EcoGeneration Associate Editor Sonia Nair talks to key players in the wind WIND competitive wind projects in Australia to meet “We will have to wait and see what the sector about what’s in store for the industry. With the resolution of the renewable energy the RET requirement and produce RECs impact on Keppel Prince will be. If the states target (RET), jobs will be protected – [renewable energy certificates] at less than push forward with their own initiatives, the especially in regional towns such as the current spot market price. Our analysis impact on us may be fairly small. It’s too early Portland, which is home to wind tower suggests between 4,500 MW and 5,000 MW to tell.” manufacturer Keppel Prince. of wind will be constructed before the turn of Although wind developers’ operations may The company was adversely affected the decade.” not be directly affected by the CEFC directive, by the political uncertainty generated by While Windlab’s Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm the government mandate is likely to weigh the delayed RET resolution. Late last year, is going ahead after winning the ACT’s first heavily on investor confidence. it lay off 85 employees due to the large-scale wind auction, Mr Price expects “Meeting the RET will require continuing doubt surrounding large-scale more projects to come out of the resolved RET. approximately $12 billion of investment in projects in Australia. “Windlab’s Australian portfolio includes modern electricity-generating infrastructure. Keppel Prince Assistant General Manager more than 2,000 MW of capacity – much more This investment will create thousands of jobs, Dan McKinna says the company is looking to than the ACT Government is expected to but none of it will be possible without private re-employ a similar number of workers to procure under its 90 per cent renewable investment,” Mr Price says. those that it had to let go. energy plan.” “Every time we as a country undermine “Like most regional towns, unemployment investor confidence, we make the task of is high and job prospects low. Creating IS THE CEFC DIRECTIVE AS DIRE AS attracting investment harder and arguably employment immediately lifts the local IT SEEMS? push up the risk adjusted return requirements economy with additional income being spent The Abbott Government’s directive that the of the investors, making Australia less locally, creating more opportunities and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) internationally competitive.” work in engineering, supplying, building and stop investing in large-scale solar and wind of course the retail sector,” Mr McKinna says. was met with derision and disbelief when it POST-RET WIND FARM PROJECTS Like many in the industry, he considers the was announced in mid-July. However, This snapshot of wind projects set to go ahead reduced RET better than no target at all, and opinions differ on the impact of the in the aftermath of the RET is just a glimpse of says it will at least put some certainty back Government’s decision. how big a role wind energy will come to play in into the sector. Mr Titchen acknowledges that the CEFC Australia’s future energy mix. Around 35 wind In terms of actually meeting the target, Mr contributed to the finance of several wind energy projects are expected to be built in McKinna remains positive. farms in recent years. However, he thinks the Australia by 2020 to achieve the revised RET.
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Ceres Project FUTURE OUTLOOK FOR THE Below: Windlab Chairman SECTOR POST-RET Roger Price. The Ceres Project is one of the Mr Titchen says the first 15 years of the RET largest renewable energy projects in were very successful, with annual targets Australia and the first to connect a Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm KEY FACTS always met, and expects the next five years to capital city to wind power via an be equally fruitful. The 19.7 MW Coonooer Bridge Wind Location: 80 km northwest of Bendigo, undersea cable. “A key feature of the RET has been exposed Farm is a small wind energy project Victoria Although the project obtained – the cost to customers of RECs is offset by located northwest of Bendigo that is Number of turbines: Six approval in 2014, the project’s “The policy has stood partly owned by landholders reduced wholesale prices. The policy has stood Installed capacity: 19.7 MW proponent Senvion says it can look to the test of time and the RET has a real role the test of time and neighbouring the project. It is the first lock in financing now that the Homes equivalent: 14,000 into the next decade and beyond.” renewable energy project in the country uncertainty of the RET has passed. the RET has a real role Proponents: Windlab Meanwhile, Mr McKinna says the wind with an ownership structure that The project is expected to generate Investors: Eurus Energy Corporation industry has a real opportunity to develop and includes the local farming community in 500 jobs during peak construction into the next decade Contractors: Vestas, Catcon, CPP and sustain an internationally competitive this way. and Keppel Prince Engineering manufacturing business in wind towers. and beyond.” The farm was the first project awarded 50 ongoing jobs for the 25 year life of “Like most businesses however, we need a a 20-year feed-in-tariff by the ACT Timeline: Construction began in July the project. strong outlook and continuity in the work to JOHN TITCHEN Government, with all power generated 2015 and is expected to be completed by KEY FACTS onsite due to supply Canberra as part of early 2016, with full commercial justify further investment to develop and the ACT’s Climate Change Action Plan. operations underway by March 2016 Location: 20 km southwest of sustain our processes and workforce.” Windlab, the developer of the farm, Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula, SA Technological innovations will characterise was awarded the Clean Energy Council’s Number of turbines: 197 the next era of renewable energy (CEC) Community Engagement Award Installed capacity: 600 MW development, according to Mr Titchen. this year for the positive outcomes it Homes equivalent: 225,000 “We are now in a period where the benefits of technology development over recent has achieved for the local communities Proponents: Senvion decades has reached a point where wind, Ararat Wind Farm of Coonooer Bridge and Yeungroon. Contractors: ABB, with the remaining solar, battery storage, smart meters, electric contractors TBC The 240 MW Ararat Wind Farm was the vehicles and communication/control Timeline: Construction is expected to first major contract to be signed technologies are available in a form that Hornsdale Wind Farm KEY FACTS commence next year, with first power following the RET resolution. It benefited enables new business models and customer expected to flow in 2018 from a power purchase agreement with Like the Ararat Wind Farm and the Location: Between 8 km and 24 km solutions to be delivered.” the ACT Government, guaranteeing the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm, the north of Jamestown, South Australia purchase of approximately 40 per cent Hornsdale Wind Farm was chosen by the Number of turbines: 105 of the energy produced at the site. This ACT Government as a successful bidder Installed capacity: 270 MW was awarded under the ACT’s Wind of the ACT Wind Auction. It won a 100 Homes equivalent: 180,000 Auction in February 2015. MW power supply agreement for the first Proponents: Neoen, John Laing and It will comprise of up to 75 turbines, stage of its construction. Megawatt Capital each with a blade tip height of up to 135 The first tranche of the farm will m above ground level. The wind turbines deliver close to 20 per cent of the ACT Contractors: Siemens, Catcon and CPP will have an expected rated capacity of electricity needs for 20 years, following Timeline: Construction is expected to be up to 3.4 MW each. the commissioning of completed by the end of 2016, with The farm will unlock a $450 million the project. commercial operations underway by 2017 investment within the region.
KEY FACTS White Rock Wind Farm KEY FACTS Location: 180 km northwest of Goldwind’s 175 MW White Rock Wind Location: New England Tablelands, Melbourne and between 9-17 km Farm in NSW was the second major wind approximately 20 km west of Glen Innes northeast of Ararat, Victoria project to gain approval after the revised and 500 km north of Sydney Number of turbines: 75 RET. Mr Titchen says Goldwind decided Number of turbines: 119 (70 in first Installed capacity: 240 MW to press on with preparations for phase) construction of the wind farm on the Homes equivalent: 123,000 Installed capacity: 175 MW back of the resolved RET. Proponents: Partners Group, Homes equivalent: 130,000 (75,000 in The NSW Government approved the RES Australia, OPTrust and GE first phase) construction and operation of up to 119 Principal contractor: Downer Proponents: Goldwind EDI Engineering wind turbines, with 70 turbines set to be built in the first phase. Contractors: TBC Timeline: Construction was expected The company will utilise its 2.5 MW Timeline: Construction is expected to to have started between July and advanced wind turbine at the farm. commence in late 2015 or early 2016, August 2015, with power expected The turbine technology is a permanent with completion expected by mid-2017 to be delivered to the grid from magnet direct-drive and does not have April 2017 a gearbox.
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A: The Capital Renewable Energy Precinct, which Ketan Joshi worked on.
B: The Snowtown Wind Farm Project in South Australia, which Jeremy Schultz advised on.
worked on more than 15 wind farms in South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. He says responsible wind developers always have a well-structured approach to communication and engagement. While every project is different with distinct engagement issues, he says the community engagement process should B always allow for: • Interested members of communities to be A indeed telling the truth – their symptoms are Foundation did not in fact represent the vast addressed on a public basis, including real, but the anti-wind farm lobby has taken majority of the people who lived there. Their follow-up public sessions it upon themselves to act as a medical brand of anger and misinformation was not • Those who are directly affected by the authority, and diagnose sufferers with wind something the farming community wanted proposed development to be engaged on a OBTAINING THE SOCIAL turbine syndrome.” associated with their town,” Mr Bray says. private and personal basis, so their Promisingly, Andrew Bray – a long-time With the right processes in place, wind particular issues can be addressed advocate for the wind industry and National farm developers will find that anti-wind • The involvement of third parties with LICENCE TO OPERATE Coordinator of community-based sentiments can be negated, leading to more interests – consultants, independent organisation Australian Wind Alliance – says positive outcomes for both themselves and experts and government agencies. the national anti-wind movement has largely the surrounding communities. “Developers should engage early, broadly lost steam, after the alliance exposed the (including both with host landowners and Recent attacks on the wind sector from the most senior levels of government mean that follies of their mandate. A GENERAL GUIDE TO COMMUNITY those in the locality, as well as with relevant “Australian Wind Alliance ran a successful ENGAGEMENT local and state authorities), listen to effective community engagement is more important than ever. EcoGeneration Associate Editor campaign in 2013 with the residents of Jeremy Schultz is Chairman and Head of legitimate concerns responsibly, and address Sonia Nair finds out from the experts what new strategies wind energy developers are using to Waubra to highlight the fact that the Waubra Energy at Finlaysons Lawyers, and has each concern in their approach.” engage with communities.
aking a leaf out of Germany’s and delays, lowered company image, reduced TDenmark’s book, Australian wind investment potential, a drain on development developers have quickly started to realise resources and morale, as well as a failure in that they need to devise new ways to engage social obligations. communities surrounding wind turbines. Recognising a need for further research HOW BIG A THREAT IS THE Andrew Bray, National Coordinator of the into this area, the NSW Office of Environment ANTI–WIND FARM MOVEMENT? Australian Wind Alliance, and Heritage commissioned Ernst & Young The discontent in local communities has is a long-time advocate for the wind industry. (EY) to conduct a study. Titled Benefit Sharing led to one of the biggest challenges wind Mechanisms, the study highlights the lessons energy developers face – the advent of ‘wind wind developers can learn from their turbine syndrome’ and the proliferation of European counterparts. anti-wind activists. The paper identifies the following Wind turbine syndrome refers to the shortcomings of the current Australian alleged deleterious health effects wind farm development process: experienced by people living near wind • Limited consistency in application of turbines. The phenomenon has been
Ketan Joshi is Research benefit sharing models discredited by scientists and academics and Communications • Limited transparency alike, who say there is no direct Officer at Infigen Energy. • Information asymmetry psychological link between wind turbine • Late consultation infrasound and health issues. • Lack of funds in community Infigen Energy Research and enhancement projects Communications Officer Ketan Joshi says it • Lengthy planning approval processes. is important for wind energy developers These often coalesce to sow discontent in to differentiate between misinformers and communities surrounding wind turbines. This the misinformed. Jeremy Schultz has worked on more than has been shown to manifest in continuing “It’s enormously important to always 15 wind farms around the objections during the construction and engage with people who claim to be country in his time at Finlaysons Lawyers. operation of a wind farm – resulting in suffering on the assumption that they are
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Increasing levels of community ownership, risk & reward, input into decision making
Landowner Rent Proximity Community Community payments Model co-ownership ownership
Simple to Simple to Complex to Complex to administer administer administer administer
Equitable distribution Equitable distribution Equitable Not equitable of benefits to of benefits to distribution to landowners landowners community Left: Source: Ernst & Young Benefit Sharing Limited role in Limited role in Role in decision Own and control Mechanisms paper. decision making decision making making and the process ownership Below: Site of the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm.
Mr Schultz adds that consultation needs to recognise that landowners, in particular, are long-term stakeholders in the success of a project. “Developers have a duty of care in relation to their long-term interests. Perceived ‘problems’ with a project are not only bad for the project, but bad for the industry.” Another way to ensure positive outcomes for both wind farm proponents and the wider community is to always comply with regulatory frameworks, according to Mr Schultz – although instances of non-compliance are uncommon in his experience. “Complying with regulatory frameworks will not only address the interests of the wider community, but also ensure that the project and the proponent becomes a sound BENEFIT SHARING MECHANISMS payments to landholders and an ongoing member of the community and that project is Mr Joshi says new and interesting ways to community development fund. This spreads sound financially,” he says. empower and involve the community – for out through the community as farmers tend In Mr Bray’s opinion, any new wind example, benefit sharing mechanisms – are to spend much of the income they receive developer needs to communicate the benefits now necessary as the political and community in the local economy and the fund goes to of the project. Individuals in the community discourses around wind energy evolves. local projects. will be asking themselves, “What’s in it for me, Broadly, benefit sharing mechanisms are “But there remains an impression of my family and my community?” and no one is agreements between developers, landowners unfairness, as some landholders get direct better equipped to answer these questions and communities about the distribution of payments and others, who might also live than local leaders. monetary benefits arising from wind farms. quite close to large turbines, do not.” “People like the mayor, the footy club “Feeling excluded from a major change to Although the Rent Proximity Model is president and the local CFA head will have the your community is a rotten sensation, but touted as the potentially simpler approach, community’s best interests at heart. If you conversely, being directly involved in an EY says community ownership has the can convince them that your project is a good innovative clean energy project is incredibly largest potential to build community support, thing, that’s a good sign,” Mr Bray says. exciting and energising, and can really boost empowerment and longer-term local Common decency never goes astray either. community sentiment.” economic outcomes. Being courteous and understanding that There are various types of mechanisms EY’s paper concludes that there are a range trust is earned, not demanded, are general that can be used, as EY outlines in its paper. of different benefit sharing mechanisms to principles that should be followed by wind (Refer to the diagram above). consider, but they need to be co-developed by energy developers, according to Mr Joshi. Mr Bray says the ‘Rent Proximity Model’ is communities and developers working He adds that industry resources can be a an important one, as it seeks to even out collaboratively and transparently. valuable tool. direct landholder payments so that all “There is no ‘one size fits all’. Each benefit “The Clean Energy Council’s best practice landholders within a given distance of sharing mechanism can be implemented on guidelines are an excellent must-have for any turbines receive some payments. its own, or as a package of different benefit company developing any type of large-scale “The typical way that wind farms deliver sharing mechanisms to fit the context,” energy project,” Mr Joshi says. directly for communities now is through EY says.
36 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au WIND
COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID LOCAL CASE STUDY IN EFFECTIVE smaller project size, a project team with a While serious mishandling of the community COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT rural background, a location characterised engagement process is now very rare, More recently, Windlab’s 19.8 MW Coonooer by long-term rural family ownership rather Mr Schultz says there are still niggling Bridge Wind Farm took transparency to a than lifestyle hobby blocks, and the fact issues that need to be ironed out. new level, winning the 2015 Clean Energy that the Coonooer Bridge community wanted “In some areas, there has not been Council Community Engagement Award for to remain tight-knit with a common interest continuing engagement, perhaps in the hope its community ownership program that in mind. that concerns may go away or that firm provided direct benefits to neighbours of According to Mr Parton, effective views of developers will simply carry the day. wind turbines, built positive relationships community engagement in the case of the “Another mistake has been a lack of and helped make the company a genuine Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm resulted in: what I would call priority engagement part of the local community. • Unanimous approval at local council with with the right authorities, including local “From the first approach, the proponents no appeal and state authorities concerning a dealt with the whole community and engaged • Minimal objections proposed project.” them in a conversation about how they • A brief five-month assessment of the Mr Schultz says other things to be wanted to see the benefits shared in their development application mindful of in community engagement are community,” Mr Bray says. • No community divide and no negative press planning regimes, appropriate authorities “The final result incorporated shared • Letters of support from all stakeholders and drafting instruments to assist in project ownership by the community and • An energised development team addressing potential issues. significant levels of community input into the • Strong community support, which led to a “Being dismissive of concerns, being decision-making process.” feed-in-tariff. combative, dealing with people only through Matthew Parton, the Project Manager at Mr Parton advises wind energy proponents email – rather than face-to-face meetings – Windlab who managed the development of to always following through with promises by and being vague about information are all the approved farm, acknowledges that a keeping a register, listening and acting on easily avoidable, but can cause real problems number of factors meant it was easier for root causes, communicating in person, giving if these attitudes become prevalent in the Coonooer Bridge Wind Farm to work the community some genuine control over development,” Mr Joshi adds. together with the community – from the details, and being open and transparent. Commercial and Industrial Solar Systems from NHP. NHP products manage energy Our solar PV products are now a central from your point of connection part of what we do and this, combined with a range of industrial automation and As of September 2015, Bluestream Australia (via our transformers) to the main energy management products, enables will have managed residential and commercial switchboard, distributing electrical customers to get the most from their energy Solar PV installations in every single state and energy around your site while in today’s lean business environment. territory of Australia. insuring power quality and • We support local communities by using local trades and labour. rigorous protection. With specialist teams in project management, • Contact us today about our low cost utility scale renewable energy design and electrical engineering, we deliver staffing solutions. our expertise and knowledge through local • Solar PV installations: SPS / Grid Connect • Project Management Services • Component Procurement • Metro and Regional Australia, Asia Pacific integration partners across the country. • Operations and Maintenance • Secure Storage Nationally To download our Renewable Energy • PV Engineering • Residential, Commercial and Industrial, Utility brochure and get a head start on All • Grid Connection applications • Project Recruitment and Executive Search Energy, simply scan the QR Code! • Metering Services • Labour Hire: Trades and Labour
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PERSPECTIVE SPEAKING AT The battery power behind the panel COMMUNITY RENEWABLES: THE NEXT MEGATREND
Community renewables projects are delivering tangible benefits. Energy industry veteran Volker Beckers outlines why this model has worked in Europe, and why it will in Australia.
r Beckers has worked on opposite which, in 2003, was seen as a very risky Mends of the spectrum – at the helm investment because there wasn’t much of British utility giant RWE npower in his experience in that market. time as its Chief Executive, and now as “If anything, I wish we had continued C
Chairman of Albion Community Power, on the journey and led the sector. We were M promoting community-scale renewable early adopters, but we didn’t have enough Y projects that provide a viable alternative financial firepower to both invest in Volker Beckers believes CM to traditional utilities. conventional power generation assets community renewable energy projects are the From overseeing £5 billion in energy and renewables.” next megatrend. MY infrastructure at npower, Mr Beckers is now CY responsible for drumming up £100 million THE AGE OF CENTRALISED not delivering the returns they were CMY for renewable projects. This combination of ENERGY IS OVER expecting is: find ways to get on and K experiences has imbued Mr Beckers with a Mr Beckers says all traditional utilities have innovate more. Innovation is one thing, but unique perspective on renewable investment to realise that the era of centralised fossil you also need a platform established where trends. For one, Mr Beckers says it is fuel–powered energy systems is rapidly people as a community can come together, apparent that transformation is necessary drawing to an end. What is crucial for share their experiences and develop new and that utility giants alone cannot provide utilities’ continued survival will be their solutions moving forward.” all the finances. ability to embrace the change. This is particularly important with the “When you look at different industry “My view is if you embrace this market continued empowerment of consumers, sectors globally and at different regions in change, there is a place for community-scale some of which are leaving the grid and the energy sector, what you find is that many energy projects to sit alongside the becoming more self-sufficient as the of the incumbents in the energy market – large-scale who, due to sheer size, are better required technology becoming affordable AGL in Australia as well as EON or British equipped to deal with some of the more and economic. Gas in the UK – were previously investing in complex processes.” “At the moment, consumers haven’t been large-scale conventional upstream He advises utilities to focus on efficiency told what the real challenge is, and some ® infrastructure such as power stations. and security of supply, and find ways to work aren’t really interested in energy yet. But E N E R G Y S TOR E “They have been really caught out in this together with the community. there is a change coming with renewables Remote Area Power Systems changing market and their financial “My advice for utilities who are licking and storage; people are starting to read performance has been impacted by it.” their wounds because their investments are more and become better informed.” Mr Beckers knows about this first hand, having steered npower through an unprecedented surge of renewable energy. CUSTOMER KNOWS BEST: ADVICE TO UTILITIES Reliable energy storage Does Mr Beckers wish he invested more in renewables while in charge? The gift of “Listen to the customer, inform the customer, have a dialogue, and if any foresight would have been handy, he says. financial investments are left, invest in low-carbon technologies. Find ways of www.gnbindustrial.com.au “npower made the early decision to invest providing 24/7 services so people don’t notice the change from central Australia: New Zealand more in wind than many other organisations conventional power to renewables, which by definition is more intermittent SA & NT: (08) 7088 2903 in the market. We were the first investor of a and unpredictable. It’s that simple. Listen, advise, focus and engage.” NSW: (02) 9722 5700 Auckland: +64 9 257 2881 large 60 MW offshore wind park in Wales VIC & TAS: (03) 8393 5909 WA: (08) 6188 8003 QLD: (07) 3135 6704
40 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au PERSPECTIVE
COMMUNITY ENERGY PROJECTS TIPS ON HOW TO OPERATE IN “Identify the right scheme, plan it, develop THE WAY FORWARD THE COMMUNITY-POWERED it, construct it and operate it.” Consumers are looking for an energy system RENEWABLE SPACE that is fair, transparent and doesn’t Mr Beckers says small-scale energy FIGHTING THE TREND IS FUTILE discriminate against a particular technology companies – such as Albion Community Mr Beckers is convinced that different – tenets central to the foundation of Power – have had to learn to identify the business models – evidenced by the rise of community energy projects. ‘needle in the haystack’ to succeed in the community energy projects – will have “When you look at community-scale projects, renewables space. emerged in the next five years. He says it is a the main difference is that people feel part of “This is something larger organisations waste of time to argue against renewable the process because they get involved early on cannot justify with their overheads and energy; it is here to stay and that is simply and because they see the benefits of certain administrative footprint. It’s too costly for the way of the future. investments flow back into their community.” larger organisations to invest in small-scale “The question is how much renewable Mr Beckers says the clean energy sector projects because the returns wouldn’t generation in a central system is right – is it needs to do much more than informing and be acceptable.” 50 per cent, 70 per cent, or even 100 per cent? advising, and predicts that consumers’ However, diversity is vital especially in How will energy infrastructure look in these perceptions of clean energy will evolve with the face of political uncertainty. different energy system mixes?” the advent of consumers becoming investors. “Quite frankly, part of the reason He says it is important for Australia, along “Perception is improving, especially with why large companies found it difficult to with other countries, to be clear, decisive and consumers becoming ‘prosumers’, that is, commit to renewable investment is on a well-defined trajectory to where they see producing and consuming at the same time. because they have been surprised by the themselves in the long-term. The move to a Many times, with a solar panel or a storage sheer scale and pace of investment in low carbon system is irreversible, he unit or a heat pump, you not only make a renewables. But more importantly, they continues. Energy companies, large– or huge contribution to a low-carbon economy, have been caught in the change of small–scale, need to be clear and define their but you save money. government policy. role in this changing environment. “You feel good about the right “What we try to ensure in a company like “We are part of a global community. investment because it helps you manage Albion is making diversity in our future Hopefully, we find the right balance for your long-term finance.” projects an absolute key part in the signing up to how to reduce greenhouse Mr Beckers says forming a clear decision-making.” gases and what this means for our partnership model makes planning and According to Mr Beckers, diversity in energy systems, similar systems and acceptability much easier for clean energy different regions, technologies, assets transport infrastructure.” developers, particular in the wind sector. and ownership is important to ensure a Turn to page 34 to read about how small-scale energy company is not blindsided All-Energy 2015 is taking place from increased community consultation is due to the adage of having “all their eggs in 7–8 October. Volker Beckers will be resulting in the advancement of wind farms. one basket”. speaking at 8.45 am on 7 October.
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42 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au COVER FEATURE COVER FEATURE
AGL ENERGY
AGL is by far the biggest owner of electricity Can you sum up AGL’s approach to generation in Australia, with the capacity to renewables? meet more than 20 per cent of demand within AGL is Australia’s largest private investor the National Electricity Market (NEM). Up in large-scale renewable energy, having until a few years ago, AGL was also already invested $3 billion over the last indisputably the ‘greenest’ of the Big Three decade. The energy market is continually energy retailers, with up to 20 per cent of its evolving, as are the policy frameworks which electricity generation coming from renewable Marc England, Executive enable progressive forms of generation to General Manager New sources. It has invested over $3 billion in Energy, AGL Energy. develop. AGL’s strategy is to support a renewable projects, and, among other measured transformation. facilities, owns and operates Australia’s AGL has also launched a new division – New biggest solar farms at Nyngan (102 MW) and Energy – with a focus on solar, battery storage What specific projects is AGL Broken Hill (53 MW), and the largest wind and electric vehicles. The Executive General undertaking to embrace renewables? farm in the southern hemisphere at Manager of New Energy, Marc England, says AGL is the largest private owner, operator and Macarthur (420 MW). the new division is not about clean energy developer of renewable energy generation in However, in the past couple of years the per se, but giving customers greater choice. the country, with renewable sources including company has gone on something of a dirty “New Energy is not a renewable energy hydro, wind, landfill, gas biomass and solar. spending spree, acquiring nearly $4 billion business,” he said at the Australian Clean Most recently we’ve been building worth of coal-fired generators including the Energy Summit 2015, “it’s a distributed energy Australia’s two largest solar plants in Nyngan Loy Yang A brown coal plant in Victoria business. It’s great that renewables are part of and Broken Hill, in western NSW. (Australia’s largest emitter), and the 4.6 GW the mix, and we do see the industry moving AGL was the first retailer to bring a Macquarie black coal plants in NSW. As a much more towards renewable energy, but rooftop solar PPA to market, in the form of result, the renewable proportion of AGL’s we’re not just about renewables.” our ‘Solar Smart Plan’ with no upfront cost generation has fallen to around 10 per cent. What it is about is selling solar and storage. to the consumer. This has made rooftop solar It came as something of a surprise, then, AGL has a household battery product in the more accessible to people who ordinarily when in April this year AGL’s incoming CEO market, and is investing strongly in power would not be able to afford a large upfront Andrew Vesey announced the company would purchase agreements (PPAs) with a view to financial investment. We also launched the not only stop expanding its coal-fired portfolio grabbing a piece of the rooftop solar market. first consumer battery storage product in – which accounts for 81 per cent of the Here we speak to Marc England to find out the Australian market earlier this year. electricity generated by AGL – but would also what AGL’s intentions are for its clean retire its existing plants in a timely fashion to energy business and how he views the GENERATORS OF CHANGE Below: While it has no large-scale assets in Australia, be coal-free by 2050. future of the market. Origin part-owns the 69 MW Javiera solar project in Chile.
The big energy retailers like to promote their eco credentials but just how serious are they about clean energy? EcoGeneration’s Anthony Holden speaks to Australia’s two biggest generator/retailers, AGL and Origin, to find out.
t’s not a good time to be an incumbent in Until recently, the answer seemed to be: Ithe energy industry right now. All the talk keep calm and carry on. Business as usual, is of disruption, radical transformation, dressed up with a few wind farms and a lot of death spirals – the end of empire. As if out of talk about green investments. But just lately, nowhere, distributed generation and storage there have been signs of a shift in the have come along and turned the traditional conversation. Suddenly there’s talk of network model on its head. Prices of solar getting out of coal completely, and some and storage continue to fall, meaning going heavyweight tussling to be number one in off grid is now becoming a realistic and solar and storage. attractive option for many households. The two companies that have been Meanwhile, climate policy and consumer making the most noise in this area also sentiment (not to mention the survival of the happen to be Australia’s two biggest planet) are demanding a rapid shift to clean generator/retailers – AGL and Origin Energy. energy sources. Here we speak to both companies to find out So what’s an incumbent to do? How can just how serious they are about embracing Above: AGL owns and operates the biggest solar PV project in Australia, the 102 MW Nyngan plant in NSW. utilities adapt and evolve to meet this the new energy economy. Image courtesy of AGL. radical change?
44 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 45 COVER FEATURE COVER FEATURE
What are the advantages of the with them faster than our competitors do. Finance Corporation (CEFC), with the money How much large-scale renewable PPA model? The only thing we know is the future will AGL IN NUMBERS going towards expanding Origin’s PPA power generation does Origin ORIGIN IN NUMBERS In the case of AGL’s Solar Smart Plan with be different. offering (‘Solar as a Service’) and supporting currently own or operate? zero upfront costs, it makes a rooftop solar Renewable generation capacity: the future rollout of battery storage. PC: Origin’s renewables portfolio in Australia Renewable generation system accessible to people who would not What are the unique challenges of the Origin CEO Grant King has also signalled the consists of 700 MW of owned and contracted capacity (wind only): ordinarily be able to afford one due to high Australian energy market? 1,842 MW company’s intentions to expand its large-scale wind, including the Cullerin Range Wind Farm upfront costs. It also gives all customers Having been in Australia for two years now, I renewable portfolio, with several recent in NSW. Our offtake agreements with other Proportion of power generation 700 MW certainty that AGL will look after and can confidently say that with the right policy comments about the opportunities in wind and wind developers have underpinned the maintain the system for them over the long frameworks, Australia has the opportunity to from renewables in FY15: solar. In Origin’s 2015 financial report, Mr King development of many wind farms which Proportion of power generation term, and ensure it remains productive. It lead the world in transforming retail energy for 9% said: “the Large-scale Renewable Energy otherwise would not have been built, from renewables in FY15: doesn’t work for everyone, as some consumers. An abundance of sunlight, high Target will require 5,000 MW of renewables to including Snowtown II. consumption profiles lend themselves average wealth, an early-adopter attitude to Money invested in renewables be built over the next five years, and this We also have interests in renewable <1% more to an outright purchase. We currently technology and a passion for renewables all over the last decade: creates development opportunities for Origin generation overseas, including 40 per cent expect demand for the Solar Smart Plan combine to create the right ingredients to in both wind and large-scale solar.” of the operational 69 MW Javiera solar Retail customers with solar PV: model to level out at about 30-40 per cent of show the rest of the world how to do it. $3 billion+ Here we speak to Origin’s Phil Craig, project in Chile. We also have geothermal total sales. Executive General Manager, and Phil Mackey, and hydro development options in Chile 360,000+ What is your personal view on Proportion of revenue General Manager of Solar and Emerging and Indonesia. Do you see distributed generation as a renewable energy? derived from renewable Businesses about Origin’s clean energy Solar systems installed: serious threat to big energy? For large-scale generation, an approach that energy (approx.): ambitions and its plans to own the rooftop How will Origin become number one in 80,000+ It is a threat if traditional retailers don’t ensures the supply of reliable, cost-effective solar market. Australia by installed capacity? embrace it; however, at AGL we are turning and low carbon energy is important. Finding 8% Phil Mackey: Origin is already one of that on its head and creating an opportunity the right balance between these three What place do renewables have in Australia’s longest standing and largest out of distributed generation by making sure dimensions currently requires a mix of Origin’s overall strategy? solar retailers. We have the largest solar we not only maintain our relationship with generation types. For distributed energy Phil Craig: We have been investing in customer base in Australia, with more than our customers through greater choice, but services, we need to provide consumers more “With the right policy renewables including hydro, geothermal and 360,000 customers with solar, and have enhance it by supporting their needs for choice and give them what they want, in as wind for more than a decade. We firmly installed more than 80,000 systems in the holistic energy management in a simple, cost-effective a way as possible. The fact that frameworks, Australia believe they will play an important role in past decade. hassle-free way and through developing solar PV is a viable form of distributed meeting future energy demand, alongside We’re also developing a number of new innovative products to meet their needs. generation today is a good thing. has the opportunity to other forms of generation such as natural energy products, which will allow customers It is important that we manage the lead the world in gas, to reduce total global carbon emissions. easy access to grid power and distributed How different will AGL’s business model transition to a clean energy future in an will be in 10 years? ordered way. A significant amount of transforming retail Like many industries, emerging technologies investment has gone into the existing will change business models. AGL will adapt infrastructure that provides reliable and energy for consumers.” to these changes as it has for the last 178 low cost energy. As we transition to a low years through disruptions like the invention carbon future, we must aim to continue to MARC ENGLAND of electricity and the lightbulb. At AGL we provide reliable energy for the majority of are not trying to predict the future, more Australian consumers and businesses in a RENEWABLE ENERGY AND CARBON SPECIALISTS ensure we can anticipate changes and evolve cost-effective way. AUSTRALIA • NEW ZEALAND • SE ASIA • SOUTH AFRICA
Bradman Recruitment has been recruiting professionals since 1997 and renewable energy and carbon professionals since 2009. We have a huge database of clean energy professionals and conduct recruitment assignments around the world. Please refer to Michael Green’s Linkedin ORIGIN ENERGY profile for the detailswww.linkedin.com/in/michaelbradmanrecruitment Areas of expertise: Renewable Energy: Origin Energy is the biggest energy retailer in • Biofuels • Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Trigeneration, Hydro, Wave, Tidal the country, with close to 30 per cent of • Carbon Consulting • Regulatory electricity accounts in Australia’s eastern and • Cleantech • Solar Installations southern states. It is also the second biggest • Environmental NGO’s • Storage – EV & Stationary generator, with the capacity to meet around • Financial Services • Trading – Gas, Electricity, Carbon 13 per cent of electricity needs within the NEM. • Green Building – ESD • Waste to Energy Within its generation portfolio, 66 per cent Phil Mackey, General • Industry Associations of the electricity produced comes from black Phil Craig, Executive Manager of Solar and General Manager, Origin Emerging Businesses, coal, 33 per cent from gas and less than one Energy. Origin Energy. percent from renewables (according to If you are having difficulties in filling a position or would like to utilise our campaign group MarketForces.org.au). farms (approximately 471 MW) at Stockyard However, the company has recently made a extensive networks and database plus our vast experience in recruitment With no utility-scale solar in Australia, Hill in Victoria. serious push back into the rooftop solar then please call Michael Green or Katie Martsinovich, +61 2 8243 0500, Origin’s main clean energy generation comes At one time Origin was also one of market, announcing an intention to become to discuss your requirements. For Solar Installations please contact [email protected] from wind power. It has a 700 MW portfolio Australia’s biggest solar retailers, but it Australia’s number one solar retailer. To this Gareth Clarke, Bluestream Australia, on +61 2 8332 6131. www.bradmanrecruitment.com of owned and contracted wind power, and is backed away from the market after state end, it has entered into a 12-year, $100 million planning one of Australia’s largest wind feed-in tariffs were cut. financing partnership with the Clean Energy
46 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 47 COVER FEATURE STORAGE
generation, and further strengthen the WHY TRANSGRID’S retailer/customer relationship. I think Origin is We spoke to Ben Burge, Chief well placed, through its strong incumbency Executive at Powershop Australia, position, long history of PV system deployment for another perspective on how the iDEMAND PROJECT IS and customer insights, to bring these new Big Three (AGL, Origin and energy products to market. EnergyAustralia) are adapting to the new energy economy. UNLIKE ANYTHING BEFORE IT Can you tell us about your Have the big energy retailers truly Ben Burge, Chief PPA offering? embraced renewable energy? Executive, Powershop PM: Solar as a Service is a new way of going The Big Three all have big investments Australia. solar that helps provide customers with more in coal and gas, and the new supply of It’s no mean feat to design an electricity demand management system that incorporates battery choice and control over their energy usage. generation under the Renewable Energy Target (RET) is driving down the profits The uptake of solar PV systems in Australia from these investments. I can’t imagine that is a source of joy at the board or storage, solar panels, energy efficient lighting and research capabilities. EcoGeneration profiles has been a huge success, but there remain a shareholder meetings. the hybrid iDemand project and speaks with the various players that made the cutting-edge number of barriers to its further uptake, such They may be reluctant (and more recent) converts to the renewable cause, but as affordability and willingness of customers to the strength of the RET is that it gives all participants a strong commercial driver demand demonstration project possible. take on burden of operating and maintaining to support renewable energy. the systems. Solar as a Service removes some Is it in their long-term interest to embrace renewables? ransGrid is one of Australia’s largest is connected to the local 11 kV feeder iDEMAND PROJECT of these barriers. There is no cost for Clearly there will be short-term pain for those who overcommitted in their Thigh-voltage transmission networks. Its Endeavour Energy supply via a transformer, purchasing the system and the hassle of any investments in thermal generation, particularly given the failure to predict the SPECIFICATIONS hybrid energy project, named iDemand, was and the grid supply is utilised in charging the ongoing maintenance is also removed. increased levels of energy efficiency and the substantial decline in demand. designed to facilitate research into the battery at night. Solar panel capacity: 98 kW in But it will still remain in their long-term interest to participate in the growth of commercial development of demand The batteries are discharged on a total (53 kW of polycrystalline What is Origin doing in the commercial renewable technologies. Failure to do so would not only make it harder for them to management opportunities in NSW. Further, pre-programmed discharge algorithm, which solar space? meet their statutory obligations, but would in effect represent a doubling down of silicon, 45 kW of cadmium the system will act to reduce the power has been based on the dual objectives of PC: We are installing a 3 MW system at the their ‘bet’ to invest in coal and gas at a time of declining demand and changing telluride thin film) consumption of TransGrid’s Wallgrove reducing site peak usage as well as reducing Tonsley Park development in Adelaide, which energy market expectations. Storage capacity: 100 kW, 400 kWh Regional Centre. bills. They are used to maximise site load will be the largest rooftop solar array in The project is expected to shave off reduction capability, which is equivalent to Is government intervention needed to achieve a widespread shift to renewables? LED lighting capacity: 4.7 kW DC Australia, as well as a 900-panel, 269 kW almost 50 per cent of the electricity usage taking 60 large home air-conditioners off the No. The RET, in combination with the National Electricity Market, provides an LED lighting and 5 kW AC LED system on the roof of the Royal Australian of the facility during peak demand times, grid (assuming 4 kW input). efficient market signal that enables a transition of Australia’s energy sector to a lighting Mint in Canberra. achieving substantial financial savings Two types of solar PV were installed as part lower carbon footprint without imposing cost pressure on households and Development approval has also been Capital cost: $3 million and saving 486,000 t/a of greenhouse of the project – thin film and polycrystalline businesses. That market just needs to be left alone to function as intended. given for Origin’s Stockyard Hill Wind Farm, Developer and operator: gas emissions. silicon panels that were supplied by Owners of coal and gas fired assets – who have had a role in the problem that the near Ballarat in Victoria, which has the TransGrid Launched in November 2014, iDemand Australian PV suppliers Yellowdot Power and RET seeks to address – will of course suffer a reduction in rates of return. We don’t potential to be one of the best performing is a culmination of two years of scoping Solgen Power. expect their commentary on this – or their pleas for government or customer Construction contractor: Solgen sites in the country. We will evaluate the and commissioning work by the TransGrid The 400 kWh lithium polymer batteries funding to help recover the losses they have made in their investment decisions Battery manufacturer: Kokam potential development of Stockyard Hill and team and consultants WorleyParsons. from South Korean manufacturer Kokam are – to magically desist. But this is not unexpected from a system that seeks to large-scale solar projects with a view to Battery inverter: Magellan Power connected to the grid via the 100 kW Magellan provide a price signal for those who cause harm. meeting our obligation under the renewable Thin film solar panel WHAT IS iDEMAND? Power supplied bi-directional inverters, which energy target. manufacturer: First Solar TransGrid’s Sydney West site has over are capable of injecting both active and Polycrystalline silicon solar 300 employees and encompasses six reactive power to the grid. Magellan is a panel manufacturer: Suntech buildings with an expected energy usage of 800-1,000 GWh/a. Thin film solar panel inverter: The iDemand system generates 98 kW of Below: Solar panels provide much needed shading for ABB Aurora the TransGrid facility’s carpark. Image courtesy of renewable energy via its solar panels. The site Solgen. Polycrystalline silicon panel Want To Be A Mentor? inverter: SMA or Want A Mentor? LED lighting supplier: enLighten If you want to upgrade your careers and build your name in the Renewable Energy industry, Phillip Riley offers a FREE program of training, coaching and mentoring.
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+61 (0)3 9013 7690 | [email protected] Phillip Riley: Renewable Energy @philliprileyaus Phillip Riley www.phillipriley.com.au/mentorprogram Recruitment & Consulting
48 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 49 STORAGE STORAGE
BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES A: Aerial footage of A B C the TransGrid iDemand OF IDEMAND 50 kW PV system. Image TransGrid Investment Support Manager courtesy of Solgen. Garrie Chubb says the lack of prior B: Solgen’s carport experience with larger-scale batteries – i.e. framing solution with a 2.2 m clearance level. not secondary equipment batteries – Image courtesy of Solgen. translated to greater time spent in selection, installation, and development of operations C: External inverter station for the carpark and maintenance procedures. This was in arrays. Image courtesy of contrast to the installation of other Solgen. equipment, such as transformers. “The 400 kWh iDemand batteries are one of the largest in capacity in Australia. Lithium generation and consumption data to public research and industry bodies to learn more polymer has not been used in Australia and research bodies. about energy storage and other technologies Perth-based company, which has been previously at this scale, to our knowledge,” “The facilitation of research opportunities on related to demand management and peak assisting TransGrid with ongoing operations Mr Chubb says. the iDemand system by TransGrid is unusual for reduction,” Mr Chubb says. and maintenance of the battery system, an Australian utility,” Mr Chubb says. “Six research proposals have been including the inverters. LESSONS TO LEARN FROM The iDemand system is able to be submitted so far. Numerous parties have iDemand is likely to be in operation for TRANSGRID monitored via the iDemand website, which expressed interest in real-time dispatch of over a decade, with the solar panels TransGrid is looking to formalise research provides live, five second updates of the solar batteries in response to parameters such as expected to last for 25 years and the The new 5 kW lighting in the site’s agreements with universities and industry panel output, battery usage and site usage, cloud cover, weather forecasts, real-time site batteries up to 16 years. warehouse is fed from the site’s main AC “The 400 kWh iDemand training groups to educate on demand as well as downloadable spreadsheets with load and market spot prices,” he adds. switchboard which, in turn, takes power batteries are one of the management innovation activities and derive one-minute interval data of the system, the Mr Chubb says TransGrid will heavily utilise THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF iDEMAND from the iDemand batteries when they further value from the installation. site and the corresponding weather. learnings from iDemand in exploring the The iDemand installation comprises: are discharging. largest in capacity in A key feature of iDemand that renders it “The iDemand system is expected to be feasibility of installing a grid-connected A. 400 kWh of lithium polymer batteries The addition of lighting controls delivered unique is the open availability of on-site utilised on an ongoing basis by various energy storage device in the near future. The batteries have an available charge/ further savings. All 88 LED lights were fitted Australia. Lithium discharge rate of 100 kW. They have high with enLighten-designed radio frequency polymer has not been TransGrid welcomes universities, industry bodies and other interested organisations to contact it for information on energy density (they fit inside a 20-foot controls and photo electric sensors. how to be involved in using the iDemand installation for research into energy storage, renewable energy and demand shipping container), greater than used in Australia 95 per cent energy storage efficiency, SOLGEN’S CONTRIBUTION TO reduction on the network. Email demandmanagement@transgrid.com.au no moving parts and no risk of chemical IDEMAND previously at this scale, spillage as there are no liquid electrolytes. TransGrid’s solar project – of which Solgen to our knowledge.” B. 53 kW of polycrystalline silicon Energy was at the helm of – is a crucial part solar panels of the iDemand renewable energy system. GARRIE CHUBB Suntech manufactured the polycrystalline Solgen designed an innovative carport solar panels, which have an efficiency of framing solution that allows for easy access 15.4 per cent. They are the same for vehicles and pedestrians, while providing METER, technology as many of the rooftop solar the perfect tilt and ventilation for iDemand’s panels across NSW and Australia, but with solar panels to perform at a high efficiency. conduits. A security cage, complete a marginally higher efficiency. The The Solgen team came across a few with colorbond roof, was constructed MONITOR & polycrystalline silicon panels are challenges with this project, including: to house the external inverter station connected to SMA inverters. • The mounting framework of the solar array and restrict public access to the vital C. 45 kW of thin film solar panels needed to be designed not to obstruct electrical equipment. ANALYSE The thin film solar cells at iDemand are vehicle and pedestrian traffic Solgen completed the civil works made using cadmium telluride (CdTe). • Extensive civil works were required, component of the project by collaborating YOUR ENERGY CONSUMPTION Thin film solar panels are typically consisting of the design and installation of with all parties involved and developing a cheaper than traditional forms of solar the underground electrical works and steel consolidated solution to install the panels due to lower manufacturing costs carport framing. underground cable and carport framing GRIDANALYTICS is a cloud-based energy GRIDANALYTICS KEY FEATURES and recent technological developments To overcome these problems, Solgen network for the entire iDemand system. management platform which provides real-time Web-based interactive dashboards that give thin film panels similar Energy designed an underground framework As a result, Solgen Energy was able to visibility and analysis of your energy data. efficiency levels to polycrystalline panels. that could support the solar power array on develop a grand schematic for the cable Track all energy values including Power, Acresta can also deliver the GridAnalytics system The thin film panels are connected to the surface, and allow for carpark spaces and network, and implement this to enable the Voltage, Current, Energy and Cost along with energy meters from our partner hardware ABB Aurora inverters. pedestrian traffic. electrical and data connection of the suppliers to create an affordable yet enterprise-grade Real-time data feeds, with data refreshed every 5 seconds D. Energy efficient LED lights A carport framing solution was designed TransGrid iDemand system. total energy management solution. API web-services available to enable data The new 4.7 kW DC LED lighting in the with a 2.2 m clearance level above the Solgen’s PV system for TransGrid will: integration into your existing applications site’s workshop is fed directly from ground. Five equally spaced supporting • Generate an estimated output of
lithium polymer batteries, through a foundations were also constructed with car 73.1 MWh annually DEVELOPED BY DC/DC converter to provide power at the spaces in between. • Offset 78.2 tonnes of CO2 each year www.ACRESTA.com | Call: 1300 369 941 necessary voltage for the LED lights. The To eliminate any potential dangers to • Provide shading for the centre carpark. [email protected] previous lights in the workshop consumed passers-by, the cables were placed The project was completed in 16 kW when in use. underground using existing pits and September 2014.
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SOLAR
GETS SMART Above: The Enphase AC Battery.
The world’s largest supplier of solar inverters, Silicon Valley startup-cum-tech giant Enphase Energy, will use Australia as a global launchpad for its energy management system. Enphase Co-Founder Raghu Belur talks to EcoGeneration about the benefits of being software-defined and how solar is integral to building a smart energy network.
artin Fornage and Raghu Belur, 20-year “Solar penetration levels were really low; it alleviate the disruption that results from Mveterans of the telecom equipment and wasn’t that disruptive to the network, the increased solar penetration. He calls this high technology industries respectively, utilities or the grid. Then you realise as seamless integration of storage technologies, joined forces when they took one look at penetration levels increase, disruption load management capabilities and existing existing string inverters in the market and becomes significant.” solar generation ‘smart solar’. In contrast, he knew they could do better. Enphase Energy Mr Belur says solar penetration rates in the says ‘dumb solar’ and ‘dumb storage’ refer to was thus born in California in March 2006. US are 0.4 per cent, while the Hawaiian static systems that are non-adaptive and do In June 2008, Enphase hit a major Electric (HECO) network has a 10 per cent not evolve to the grid’s intelligence and milestone – commercialising the world’s first penetration rate. control capabilities. microinverter system. In December 2011, “What happens if it’s 20 per cent, and what Compared to Tesla’s Powerwall and the Enphase went global in France and Italy. happens if it then rises to 30 per cent? You required third-party components to make it Australia followed suit, with the company start realising that it’s not going to end well.” work, Mr Belur says Enphase’s home battery launching in the local market in early 2013. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data is cost-competitive, although Enphase has Drawing on the spirit of innovation that released late last year revealed that some yet to release the full balance sheet. catapulted the company to its first parts of Australia already have solar breakthrough, Enphase is set to unveil its penetration rates that are higher than energy management system – combining 20 per cent – making the need for battery energy generation, storage, control and storage in PV systems crucial. management – sometime next year. South Australia had the highest solar However, there is speculation that a penetration at 24 per cent, followed by soft Australian launch will take place at Queensland (20 per cent), WA (16 per cent), All-Energy 2015 next month. Victoria (11 per cent), ACT and NSW Mr Belur says the Enphase AC battery will (10 per cent), Tasmania (seven per cent) and be fully integrated into the Enphase Energy NT (six per cent). Management System, bringing the same The relatively high percentage of distributed architecture to storage that households with solar in Australia makes Enphase brought to solar. The 1.2 kWh battery, it a ripe market for Enphase, and which Enphase describes as a “building goes some way to explaining why block”, comes with a built-in, bi-directional Australia will be the testbed inverter and software to communicate with for Enphase’s new energy the grid, and will be a direct competitor to management system. Tesla’s Powerwall system. Mr Belur says having Enphase started looking at battery storage an energy system that around two years ago, in response to a combines solar and growing consensus that storage would help storage, as well as offset the disruption from high solar demand and control penetration rates. Battery storage functions management, would to offer the grid some relief, as it reduces peak load demand on the grid, while Right: Raghu Belur, Co-Founder, improving grid reliability and efficiency. Enphase Energy.
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Below: Diagram from Mr Belur’s presentation at Solar 2015 Exhibition and Conference. According to Grattan Institute’s report “In the long-run, the world is moving Sundown, Sunrise: How Australia Can Finally towards a distributed architecture. The Smart Get Solar Power Right, a Tesla battery – corollary to that is more and more intelligence Solar including inverter, charger and installation – is getting pushed into the end points, and more will cost more than $7,000 in 2017. Grattan of these end points are starting to make Institute says it is not “an economically autonomous decisions,” Mr Belur says. Smart viable decision” for most households. Energy “Under a demand tariff, the decision to IS SOLAR A BARNACLE OR THE install a 7 kWh battery without solar becomes BRAINS OF THE GRID? Smart economically feasible at an installed price of There is a fundamental weakness with solar, Storage $2,300 in all cities apart from Sydney and Mr Belur says. Dumb solar, according to Melbourne,” says Grattan Institute. Mr Belur, does nothing but “act like a barnacle and attach itself to the grid”. Conversely, WHAT IS THE ENPHASE AC smart solar refers to highly adaptive, System owners can easily check the status BATTERY? controllable and hyper-connected systems. of their solar system using Envoy’s LCD With an estimated 10-year life, the Enphase AC “You can’t predict what is going to happen display, or get more detailed information by battery will be a modular, plug-and-play with a solar power system, due to the jumping online. solution that scales up as needs change. It is weather and fast clouds. With fast clouds “Once system users have the data, they can part of Enphase’s energy management system. or a solar eclipse, solar production plan and control how much more solar can go The AC battery specifications are as below: increases dramatically because of the on to the network. They can control it for the • Power: 280 W double reflection. And then when cloud benefit of the grid,” Mr Belur says. • Storage capacity: 1.2 kWh cover comes over, solar production drops to “For instance, if voltage and frequency • Chemistry: Lithium Ferrite Phosphate zero or a very, very low number.” momentarily goes out of range, you can (LFP) Mr Belur says it’s the equivalent of massive ignore it and ride through it. You don’t have • DC Voltage: < 48V loads coming on and off the network, which to go offline and come back online, which is a • AC Voltage: 230/400 V. presents many difficulties good thing, because that’s very disruptive. to network operators. You smooth out the disruption,” he adds. SOFTWARE IS VITAL “Networks built on the hub-and-spoke Another solution that communications Mr Belur says it is important to be flexible model are very difficult to manage. systems can offer is the slow ramping up of when designing an energy system. Historically, grids have relied on predictability. power at a given rate. “I can’t sit here today and predict what the They have a very good sense of the network’s “If solar turns off in the middle of the day, system will have to do five years from now. I grid profile.” when it comes back on, it will go from, say, cannot be prescriptive about it, but I can be However, the integration of solar power 0 watts to 5,000 watts. That’s a massive as adaptive as possible by pushing as much into the network has upended this hypothesis amount of energy coming online.” intelligence as possible into this device. and way of thinking. Solar professionals can also use the “That’s one aspect of it. You need a system “Between solar, storage, electric vehicles internet-enabled Envoy to remotely that is completely software-defined. If you’re [EV] and the grid changing, you start realising troubleshoot issues. software-defined, you make that system the need for technology that can adapt and The renewable energy industry has been extraordinarily powerful. You can make that likewise, make adaptations to grid conditions, focused on storage as of late, but Enphase smartphone, for instance, become a camera, a becomes vital. Don’t install dumb solar,” Mr shows that demand as well as power global road map, a heart rate monitor and a Belur says. management is as integral to an energy weather station. That is where Enphase is At household level, Mr Belur says system system as a home battery. taking energy technology.” owners can rest assured their system will Mr Belur says he expects the Enphase Mr Belur says a guiding principle that has respond to varying conditions in a new Energy Management System to be received steered the development of the Enphase manner. This is where Enphase’s demand and very favourably in the Australian market once battery storage solution is “never build a control management software comes in. launched, citing its modular architecture, piece of hardware”. ease of installation and low investment entry “It’s always a system, and a system consists THE NEED FOR COMMUNICATION point as key drivers. of hardware, communications, software, Enphase’s Envoy Communications Gateway is “Solar is just getting started – it hasn’t even management and so forth. Right from the a networking hub connecting every module gotten out of the gates yet – and it’s predicted beginning, we said we wouldn’t succeed if we and microinverter of an Enphase system to to become a dominant energy source by just built a piece of hardware.” the internet. It provides solar professionals 2050. We believe that adaptability, control Enphase invests heavily in software, with and system owners the ability to remotely and hyper-connectivity hold the key to scaling 50 per cent of the company’s business monitor and manage their systems. solar to that level, and it’s these principles working on software development. The The Envoy uses advanced powerline that guide everything we do at Enphase. company’s digital monitoring network, communications technology to connect to “We are tremendously excited to bring our Enlighten, transacts more data than Twitter each microinverter without additional wiring energy storage and management system to on a daily basis. or wireless configuration. Australia next year.”
54 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
Left: The new International Convention Centre Sydney with the Sydney Renewable Power A Company community solar project in place. COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECTS THE NEW FRONTIER Close more IN SOLAR PV FINANCING sales with by Andy Cavanagh-Downs, Executive Director, Embark faster solar
The solar PV market has developed dramatically in recent years with extensive coverage of the finance declining cost curve. Like any nascent industry, there have been dramatic swings in fortunes for market players such as module manufacturers and installers. True end-to-end Hunter United is fast Solar purchasing has he result of price declines is that the At the other end of the spectrum of becoming a preferred never been easier for Tbusiness case for residential and innovative capital providers is community- online solar finance solar finance provider your customers. commercial solar is becoming hard to ignore. based financing. Again, much has been made Competing models of finance will now fight of the application of this type of financing in is now available! with true end-to-end To register your interest in it out for market share. offshore markets, such as Germany and online solar finance. Hunter United’s solar finance There are a range of options for asset Denmark. Again, the translation to Australia is Become a partner with platform, email owners or consumers – buy outright, not straightforward. For example, there have [email protected] Andy Cavanagh-Downs, traditional bank debt, lease, enter into a been no legislated participation offers to Executive Director at Hunter United and offer Embark. power purchase agreement or an community in Denmark, or dedicated your customers: environmental upgrade agreement (EUA). feed-in-tariffs in Canada and Germany. It is difficult to predict a winning format. Australian community-based projects • Online finance for solar panels Andy Cavanagh-Downs joined Embark Successful offshore formats do not always compete head-to-head with commercial and solar related purchases translate well to our domestic market. originators and financiers. These solar after working in finance for over 10 years • Fast applications, approval and Non-bank capital providers have been the projects are housed within a local community, in Zurich, London and Sydney. Most online contract execution recently, Andy was a Managing Director source of a number of innovations. Examples invite supporters and/or investors, and are at UBS Wealth Management, where he include utility giant Origin Energy’s on-bill run by passionate advocates of low-carbon • Finance up to $30,000 headed the product team for the loans and grid-discount power purchase initiatives. Their advantages lie in cost of • Low rate personal loans Australian operations and led the re- agreements. Additionally, the Clean Energy capital, engagement value, and the • 24 months interest free credit cards design of the IT platform. He has Finance Corporation (CEFC) is responsibly determination of those involved, who almost extensive experience in capital raising, providing capital to proponents of innovative universally volunteer their time. • No early payout fees project design, project implementation TBP6866 models, allowing them the scale and certainty A local case study that perfectly and strategy. required to succeed. demonstrates how community-based
Credit provider is Hunter United Employees’ Credit Union Ltd ABN 68 087 650 182. AFSL/Australian Credit Licence No: 238316. Finance is subject to Hunter United’s normal credit approval process. Full terms and conditions will be included with our loan offer. Fees and charges apply. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. 56 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au
6866 HU Ecogeneration A4 Press Ad_V3.indd 1 14/08/15 3:47 PM FINANCE AND INVESTMENT
Left: Sharyn Hunnisett, Lismore City Council with Patrick Halliday, Juno Energy. Both are Community Solar project partners inspecting a possible site for a solar farm.
projects can succeed is the Sydney Renewable professional counterparty which will result in Power Company – a company established by a secure contracting and a professional build. volunteer board that is funding a 520 kW solar However, a number of community-based PV installation on the new International projects don’t have the economies of scale Convention Centre, Sydney (ICC Sydney). I am enjoyed by Sydney Renewable. Smaller the Director of the company. projects require simpler business models. Sydney Renewable has been structured to Lismore City Council in New South Wales “Going forward, it integrate with the site’s 25-year public private is working with Farming the Sun on two partnership. All power from the installation 99 kW solar systems on council properties. would be great to see will be used by the operator of the site, who Due to the size of the installations, the community solar receives the benefit price certainty under the community model has been designed power purchase agreement. Investors are around a seven-year loan. This simpler projects contracted allocating capital to environmental outcomes, format still creates environmental while looking at expected returns of between outcomes and community engagement, through EUAs.” four and five per cent per annum, which we while the administrative burden has been expect will be fully franked. greatly reduced. The Sydney Renewable share offer will Going forward, it would be great to see be launched in spring 2015. 520 shares community solar projects contracted have been created; each share will equate through EUAs – these are agreements to 1 kW of capacity. It’s a great way for between a building owner, council and renters and apartment dwellers, who are funder. They may also include tenants if unable to put solar on their roof, to invest in desired. Importantly, they tie environmental renewable energy. works and loans to the rate payer of a The key aspects of the project, from a property. Upfront capital cost is amortised community funding perspective, are the over the EUA term, allowing projects to be long-term contract and secure counterparty. cash-flow positive from the outset. ICC Sydney is being built by a Lend Lease Environmental upgrades, such as energy subsidiary, so Sydney Renewable is efficiency and solar PV, may have a payback partnering with a premier builder. The period of several years. A building owner may modules and installation are supplied by review their property investment annually, in Canadian Solar – meaning the project enjoys which case they would be reticent to commit Tier 1 componentry, and a dependable and to longer-term payback periods.
58 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au FINANCE AND INVESTMENT Need an energy “Community solar projects bring environmental upgrades, such as solar PV, to the fore and large extent, EUAs inoculate community storage system solar projects from such exposure. compete remarkably well in terms of cost Why should a building owner or business consider community-funded solar projects? of capital.” They should because green credentials solution now? are becoming a necessity. Businesses go Likewise, a tenant may wish to save on to great lengths to engage people grid-sourced electricity, but their lease term through advertising, events, public relations precludes them from investing or showing and other forms of marketing. Forward a commitment to stay in the building. looking, dynamic businesses know that EUA loan repayments are tied to the consumers are closely looking at what ratepayer, so if a building owner sells or they buy. Further, staff want to be tenant moves, the obligation to repay passes proud of the company they work for. to the new owner or lessee. As a result, landlords need to differentiate EUAs facilitate rational investment their building to attract and retain high decisions for environmental improvements. quality tenants. Importantly, from a funding perspective, Community solar projects bring the repayment of EUA loans is through council environmental upgrades, such as solar PV, to rates. Councils have a statutory charge over the fore and compete remarkably well in property, so in the event of default by a terms of cost of capital. Further, they building owner, they are paid ahead of other demonstrate an understanding and sense of debt providers, including mortgagees. scale when it comes to a carbon footprint. This is particularly attractive to Finally, they create a way to engage community-funded solar projects. In some customers, staff, tenants and stakeholders – cases, community groups lack the requisite creating lasting partnerships that will hasten skills to conduct a credit risk analysis. To a change in our energy market.
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Successful solar companies are integrating finance into their sales process to increase sales, without paying merchant fees Find out more classicfg.com.au/BetterTogether 1300 986 056 Credit is provided by Classic Clean Energy Finance Pty Ltd ABN 84 145 265 103 which holds Australian Credit Licence number 434863 or Classic Funding Group (ABN 84 057 766 551). All finance applications are subject to credit criteria, terms and conditions. 60 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au FINANCE AND INVESTMENT HOW DO FINANCIERS DECIDE WHETHER TO BANK A LARGE-SCALE RENEWABLES PROJECT? By Gerard Pike, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills While there were only a handful of greenfield large-scale solar and wind farm project financings in FY2014, the outlook for 2015 and 2016 looks much stronger. PROMISING MARKET CONDITIONS HOW TO STRUCTURE A ‘BANKABLE’ These better conditions are due to the PROJECT FOR PROJECT FINANCE resolution of the renewable energy target To access non-recourse – otherwise known as (RET) impasse, the upcoming second round off-balance-sheet – project financing for your of the ACT Wind Auction, announcement of renewables project, particularly during the Australian Renewable Energy Agency construction, it is important to ensure your (ARENA) Large-Scale Solar PV Competitive project fundamentals are ‘bankable’. Gerard Pike, Partner, Round, and announcement of Ergon’s The key things financiers will consider Herbert Smith Freehills. Energy’s large-scale solar tender. when deciding whether or not to bank a Sponsors of new projects seeking limited project and what level of gearing a project recourse project finance for construction can support are: will be coming to the market at a great time • Bankable site resource assessment (wind/ Gerard Pike specialises in negotiating because there is a very liquid and solar data) and documenting financing arrangements for major transactions, competitive debt market for quality • Extent of merchant price risk (large-scale and has advised on complex energy and large-scale renewables projects in Australia renewable energy certificates [LREC] and/or infrastructure deals in Australia, South and borrowers can find attractive terms. electricity) America and Europe. FY2014 deals – including numerous • Terms of offtake (LREC and electricity), opportunistic refinancings of operating power purchase agreements (PPA) or feed- projects – is proof that Australian, Japanese, in-tariff (FiT) Chinese and European banks operating in • Pass-through of change in law risk (including the Australian project finance market are future RET amendments) under PPA/FiT offering lower upfront fees and margins • Creditworthiness of PPA/FiT counterparty than have been seen in the market for at • Creditworthiness and track record of least a decade. construction/EPC contractor(s) and Longer-tenor debt – in the form of appropriate risk allocation in contracts mutual funds, insurance companies and • Proven technology/new technology risk pension funds – is also more available to • Events that can cause termination of the Australian renewables projects than it PPA/FiT and any compensation payable – i.e. has been previously. This is in part due commissioning delay, change in law, to US private investors keen on investing termination for convenience in certain operating projects, several • Appropriate land tenure and development newly established local superannuation approvals and appropriate consents to debt funds offering longer-tenor debt financier security in key land documents and products, and some commercial banks project contracts willing to stretch beyond the traditional • Reputable equity sponsors with five-year loan terms traditionally offered in proven sector experience, at least until this market. project commissioning. 62 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au FINANCE AND INVESTMENT WHAT ARE KEY CONSIDERATIONS “There will likely be more of a need to consider AND TRENDS FOR FY2015? With the market geared for numerous new longer-term operations and maintenance large-scale solar and wind projects, there will contracts to make projects bankable for the be several trends and key points of focus for project financing. longer term.” The use of reverse auctions by the ACT Government and additionally ARENA with its Large-Scale Solar PV Competitive large-scale solar and wind projects that Most market participants acknowledge Round show that there will be more focus have 20-year FiTs from the ACT Government that it is unlikely there will be many long- than ever on reducing project financing will seek to refinance with much longer term – 10 year plus – PPAs written by the costs for bid competitiveness. 12 to 15 year tenor debt capital markets large retailers, despite the RET amendments. Banks will likely be asked to sharpen their issuances – in the US private placement or This means that sponsors may look to the pencils on pricing to win mandates in a other debt capital markets – following project finance market with LREC-only market where pricing is already considered achievement of practical completion. offtake contracts, shorter term black and tight. As aforementioned, longer-tenor debt There will likely be more of a need to green PPAs, or fully merchant projects. products will be also be a strong focus in this consider longer-term operations and Merchant price risk is tricky for banks, context. This means project sponsors who maintenance contracts to make projects given recent declines in wholesale electricity can achieve well-priced swapped fixed-rate bankable for the longer term. There are also demand and inaccurate forward price debt with tenors longer than the traditional other issues to consider with these products, forecasting in the past. It will be very Australian maximum benchmark of five such as cross-currency swaps, early interesting to see which banks offer project years will have an advantage. prepayment costs, different levels of financing and at what gearing levels for the It will be interesting to see if European and operational flexibility, and potential next few projects to come to market. These other international project finance banks in restrictions on changes of equity ownership. projects have significant elements of the market lead a trend toward seven-year Another key factor in the project financing merchant exposure. tenors or longer limited recourse debt on of the new wave of large-scale solar and It remains to be seen whether these competitive terms. wind projects in Australia will be the extent trends will set the benchmark for the It will also be interesting to observe in of the banks’ willingness to accept merchant next round of project financing in the next the next two to three years whether the price risk. 12 to 18 months. Hang out with us at Relax, All-Energy stand 2323 We’ve Got You Covered With a solar system based around Selectronic’s bi-directional intelligent inverters, it’s just one thing less to think about. Let us Power Your World. +61 3 9727 6600 | www.selectronic.com.au facebook.com/SelectronicAustralia 64 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au CLIMATE POLICY ARE YOU THE BEST IN THE SOLAR BUSINESS? INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE POLICY – WHAT’S IT GOT TO DO WITH US? by Dr Tim Richards, Manager – Policy and Market Development, Carbon Market Institute Australia’s recently announced post-2020 target to reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030 based on 2005 levels will be scrutinised by a world steaming ahead on efforts to reduce emissions, implement new clean technologies and shift their energy systems to a renewable footing. ith many of the world’s major in an effort to decarbonise the global Weconomies having put forward their economy over the course of this century. post-2020 emissions reduction goals, there More recently in July, these efforts were are a number of implications for the position bolstered at the recent UN Financing for Dr Tim Richards, and ambition Australia takes on climate Development Summit in Addis Ababa, Manager – Policy change in the lead up to and at the Paris Ethiopia where 193 countries reaffirmed and Market Development, Conference of Parties in December. their commitment to phase out fossil fuel Carbon Market subsidies and mobilise $US100 billion a Become a Clean Energy Council Institute. INTERNATIONAL POLICY year through the Green Climate Fund to The UN Paris climate conference in support sustainable industrialisation in December will see the world coming together developing countries. Approved Solar Retailer. to negotiate a successor agreement to the These developments, along with Dr Tim Richards has held roles in policy Kyoto Protocol, which will serve as the basis significant announcements by countries development with State Government and for reducing emissions beyond 2020. The around the world, are setting an optimistic the consulting sector, and has a agreement will aim to achieve the United tone for the debate ahead of Paris. By signing up to the Clean Energy Council Solar PV Retailer For more information visit background in environmental science approvedsolarretailer.com.au and land management. Nations Framework Convention on Climate Code of Conduct, you will set yourself apart from your Change’s (UNFCCC) ultimate goal of limiting AMBITIOUS TARGETS PAVE competitors and get the following benefits: the global temperature rise to less than two THE WAY • use of the Clean Energy Council Approved Retailer logo degrees above pre-industrial levels. Underpinning this global momentum are Recent months have seen global efforts to countries’ targets to reduce emissions • listing on the Solar Accreditation website (which receives tens of thousands of hits reduce emissions and decarbonise the global beyond 2020 pledged under the UNFCCC, from consumers looking to install solar PV) economy intensify significantly. In June, the known as Intended Nationally Determined • the ability to tender for exclusive contracts open only to Approved Retailers. leaders of the world’s major advanced Contributions (INDCs). By mid-August, Approved Retailers have reported significant increase in business since signing onto economies pledged to phase out fossil fuels 26 INDCs had been submitted, covering the Code. Realise the benefits for your business – apply to sign the code today. 66 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au CEC_RETAILER_ECOGEN_A4v4.indd 1 3/08/2015 12:59 pm CLIMATE POLICY 58 per cent of global emissions. Ambitious which allocates historical (absolute) emissions targets have been set by developed and baselines for facilities (not companies) with developing countries alike, highlighting the “Australia can learn a direct emissions of 100 ktCO2e per year or Renew your EcoGeneration need for a global effort to reduce emissions. more. Designed effectively, the Safeguard The European Union was the first major lot from these Mechanism could translate to a baseline and economy to outline its emissions reduction credit mechanism that meets emissions subscription today goals in early 2014, committing to a 40 per countries – not just in reduction goals and becomes the primary long- cent reduction on 1990 levels by 2030. This terms of what target to term approach to manage emissions growth. was followed by the world’s largest emitters, the US and China, making a joint statement in commit to, but which Australia’s target and actions to November 2014, where they committed to reduce emissions will have economic reduce emissions by 26 to 28 per cent relative policy mechanisms to consequences. to 2005 levels by 2030 and to peak emissions consider in achieving it The position Australia takes in the before 2030 respectively. international effort to mitigate climate In recent months, other major economies and how to create new change through its post-2020 target and including Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South domestic policy suite will also have major ISSUE 90 | OCTOBER 15 OFFICIALLY ENDORSED BY THE CLEAN ENERGY COUNCIL Korea and Mexico have submitted their INDCs economic opportunities economic implications for trade, investment, SPECIAL EDITION to the UNFCCC. While the level of ambition in a low carbon world.” export markets and the development of new has differed between countries, all INDCs aim technology. These implications will be further to achieve greater emissions reductions compounded by the effects of climate policy compared to 2020 targets. developments in other countries. In CMI’s GENERATORS Australia can learn a lot from these European economies, and their contribution recent survey, 83 per cent of respondents OF CHANGE countries – not just in terms of what target to to global emissions, the post-2020 targets agreed that Australia’s economic growth will AGL’s Marc England commit to, but which policy mechanisms to announced by these economies have a strong increasingly depend on how well we adapt to on the new energy economy consider in achieving it and how to create bearing on Australia’s position in international a lower carbon world. new economic opportunities in a low carbon efforts to mitigate climate change. world. The following points outline key Setting an ambitious post-2020 principles to consider in Australia’s efforts to The post-2020 target is the emissions reduction target will help reduce emissions. overarching policy objective against frame the economic transition which effective policies are required for Australia to pursue WHAT THE INTERNATIONAL implemented. economic growth opportunities in a DEVELOPMENTS MEAN FOR The targets put forward by the international low carbon world. AUSTRALIA community have a major bearing on the Many of the world’s most renowned WIND FARMS: HOW TO GET WHO IS THE #1 SOLAR 5 MINUTES WITH AMY KEAN development of domestic policies to achieve companies – including BHP Billiton, BP, British COMMUNITIES BACK ON SIDE INSTALLER IN THE NT? Page 72 Page 34 Page 88 Australia’s target should be a fair them. This is the case for many of Australia’s Airways, Deutsche Bank, GDF Suez, Lloyds and equitable contribution to the key trading partners, such as the US, EU and Banking Group, Nestle, Royal Dutch Shell and global effort needed to address to China. The US has introduced a suite of Schneider Electric – have announced support climate change. measures to reduce emissions, increase for carbon pricing and policy mechanisms The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate energy efficiency and boost renewable energy which reconcile the twin goals of emissions Change (IPCC) has highlighted the scale of – most notably the Clean Power Plan which reduction and economic growth. global emissions reductions required to keep will reduce emissions from power plants by 32 According to the Australian Government’s the world within the UNFCCC’s two degree per cent by 2030. Climate Change Authority, ambitious goal. Considering Australia’s post-2020 Additionally, the EU has an emissions emissions reduction targets and robust, emissions reduction targets in the context of trading scheme (ETS) and numerous energy enduring policies provide the framework for As well as the digital edition, your subscription to EcoGeneration includes: a global emissions budget will ensure the efficiency, renewable energy and energy investment in new industries and target adopted represents an appropriate reduction schemes, while China plans to opportunities for competitive advantage. » 6 editions of Australia’s leading clean energy business magazine per year contribution to tackling climate change and develop its seven pilot ETSs into a national Emissions reduction policies have a major ensures Australia’s fair share of the global ETS in 2016 and generate 20 per cent of its bearing on new industries by incentivising » Company listing in the online Australian Clean Energy Directory effort is implemented. energy from non-fossil fuel sources. investment in low-carbon technology and These examples, along with many others, provide positive pressure to reduce emissions. » Invitations and offers on clean energy industry networking functions, training Australia should look to the illustrate the suite of domestic policies The opportunities to attract investment and seminars and clean energy conferences international community in setting Australia could develop to extend existing create jobs will be adversely affected if there its target. efforts to achieve its post-2020 target. is uncertainty over the long-term policies to » Access to the online archives of EcoGeneration magazine – including hundreds of Australia’s final post-2020 target needs to be Fundamentally, a stable, enduring market- reduce emissions. articles from industry experts aligned with the international community, based mechanism to limit emissions growth Australia’s economic competitiveness will » Industry guides. particularly its key trading partners. The across the economy is critical to meet continue to be shaped throughout this Australian business community recognises Australia’s increasing emissions reduction task. transition. It must create a platform for this need, with 80 per cent of 245 The Emissions Reduction Fund component of innovation and structural reform if businesses respondents in a recent CMI survey saying the current government’s Direct Action policy is are to capitalise on the myriad opportunities Australia needs to look to China, the United unlikely to achieve future targets in its current and avoid the major economic, trade and Subscribe or renew today and receive EcoGeneration in our digital edition States and the European Union in setting its form. This emphasises the importance of the investment risks of being out of step with the format, as well as in print. Go to ecogeneration.com.au/shop target. Given the scale of the Chinese, US and second component, the Safeguard Mechanism, rest of the world. 68 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au CLIMATE POLICY CLIMATE POLICY Left: © PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek / Shutterstock “While it is not possible to say with any certainty what our energy system will look like 10 or 20 and energy efficiency – noting that some years down the track, we do know that it will be policy mechanisms such as a stand-alone very different.” carbon price have become virtual no-go zones Down Under. energy beyond 2020 and lay out all the steps the end of their operating life and will need to FINALLY MOVING FORWARD we need to take to get there. We recognise be replaced. The global race to cleaner sources For Australia, renewable energy has managed that change will not be easy, but with COP17 of energy, which is already worth more than to retain extraordinary levels of popularity looming in Paris, the time is right to consider US$300 billion annually, will also help to drive while the support for climate action continues longer-term and higher ambitions for down the cost of renewable energy to wax and wane. renewable energy. technologies, as newer sources of energy and Yet despite its obvious popularity with different energy storage technologies compete everyday Australians, the renewable sector INNOVATION IS KEY for a role in our energy future. has had something of a bumpy ride over the The strong spirit of advancement that is While it is not possible to say with any last couple of years. already entrenched in the sector will only certainty what our energy system will look The first hurdle was returning accelerate over the next five years as the like 10 or 20 years down the track, we do bipartisanship to the Renewable Energy industry works towards meeting the RET. know that it will be very different. Consumers Target (RET) following a drawn out review by The Australian Renewable Energy Agency will have more control over their power than the Federal Government, guaranteeing a (ARENA) has supported more than 220 ever before, our power supply will be LOOKING AHEAD: substantial program of work for the industry cutting-edge projects to date, and many of distributed much more widely, and our grid out to the end of the decade. Achieved in these will reach commercial viability within will be better at managing higher levels of June this year, this protected the 20,000 the next decade. Consequently, the mix of renewable energy. THE ROAD TO PARIS existing industry jobs and assured that cost-competitive renewable technologies will What will come out of the Paris talks is thousands more would be created. become much more diverse. unclear. While there is widespread hope for a With the sector now poised for a doubling We have seen some very inspiring results in more meaningful outcome, the negotiations by Kane Thornton, Chief Executive, Clean Energy Council of existing renewable energy over the next the last 12 months from local innovators such may yet end in disappointment like so many five years and a total investment pie of some as Carnegie Wave Energy, while the recent before them. $40 billion by the end of the scheme, we can successes of major large-scale solar projects But with or without a global agreement, begin raising our ambitions and considering at Royalla, Nyngan and Broken Hill evidence change is already happening. If the current When delegates gather for the UN climate conference in Paris at the end of the year, it what comes next. the readiness of the industry to meet signals are any guide, we are finally moving will have been six years since the feverish hype and ultimate disappointment of the The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has begun challenges and exceed expectations. towards a much cleaner and smarter energy consulting with its members on a Further, many of Australia’s existing system than the outdated one we currently Copenhagen negotiations. comprehensive roadmap to grow renewable coal-fired power stations are nearing or past have. And not a moment too soon. t has taken years for the public to shake off Some recent highlights include: Iits post-Copenhagen climate fatigue. In • China has pledged to substantially reduce “Whether or not a Australia, following several years of numbing its carbon intensity by 60 to 65 per cent on and highly politicised media coverage about 2005 levels, largely due to the air pollution meaningful global the carbon price, public support for action on which chokes many of its major cities. climate has continued to rebuild. Further, the • The G7 nations have agreed to phase out agreement is reached Federal Government has announced an fossil fuels by the end of the century. in Paris, significant emissions reduction target of 26-28 per cent • Brazil and the United States have below 2005 levels by 2030. agreed to source 20 per cent of their progress and The UN climate process has always been electricity from non-hydro renewable complex and impenetrable to the public. At energy by 2030. momentum is being some point in every Conference of the Parties • Pope Francis has issued an encyclical made by some of the however, fierce distrust will emerge from to Catholics urging a call to action on vulnerable developing nations who believe climate change. world’s largest their industrialised cousins are not pulling • Mexico has pledged to reduce its their weight. emissions by 22 per cent below emitters.” Whether or not a meaningful global business-as-usual by 2020. agreement is reached in Paris, significant Many of these agreements and policies are progress and momentum is being made by being driven by exciting developments in the some of the world’s largest emitters. cost of solutions such as renewable energy 70 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 71 5 MINUTES WITH 5 MINUTES WITH AMY KEAN In the first column of a new series that takes a snapshot of the careers of renewable energy industry professionals, EcoGeneration talks to NSW Renewable Energy Advocate Amy Kean. I was first inspired to work in the renewable energy industry after studying in Sweden and seeing how wind and bioenergy are an integral part of Swedish communities. I am most excited about disruptive smart energy technologies that are fundamentally changing the way the energy market operates. I am also inspired about the economics of renewables. Wind and solar technologies now stack up on their economic benefits. As NSW Renewable Energy Advocate, my role is to implement the NSW Renewable Energy Action Plan as well as work with industry, research institutions and communities to facilitate the development and generation of renewable energy in NSW. My ultimate goal is to increase renewable energy generation, jobs and investment in NSW. The Solar Installer As the first to occupy such a role in Australia, I tried to meet with as many different stakeholders as possible to listen and understand the key issues facing the renewable energy industry in NSW. It’s a fine line balancing the degree of independence I have with the fact that I was appointed by the NSW Government. But having the word ‘Advocate’ in my title makes it clear and transparent that I am here to help grow the renewable energy industry in NSW. FRONT COVER Visit ecogeneration.com.au to read I have a privileged and important role and I work very closely with the NSW Energy Minister the full interview with Amy Kean. to deliver on the Government’s plan to grow this industry. Credible up-to-date specialist renewable energy advice is increasingly important to communities looking to engage with the NSW Government. One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in progressing NSW’s renewable energy projects is related to how quickly the renewable energy industry has grown. Because of this rapid transformation, traditional approaches to delivering energy have been disrupted. The wind industry needs to get better at talking to communities in an open and transparent (Needs to be a separate PDF) manner and be clear about the visual impacts of wind farms. The communities should be treated as project partners. As in any partnership, the benefits need to be shared fairly and equitably. I’m excited about the future of renewable energy in NSW. Since the RET was first introduced, (Needs to start on page 73) NSW has benefited from over $8 billion of investment, and we are set to gain a major share of investment from the RET going forward. NSW has the potential for 6,000 MW of new projects over the next 5 years. This would support an additional 18,000 jobs and $11 billion in capital investment. I see my top achievements as being: • Working across Government to develop a NSW submission to the RET review that also supported retaining the RET. • Facilitating NSW Treasury and ARENA funding for the 1 MW hybrid Lord Howe Island Renewable Energy System. • Negotiating network connections between NSW network service providers and investors has been a beneficial experience. • Working with the wind industry to reduce the planning and financial barriers faced by developers as well as promoting a sustainable and credible industry that benefits local communities. • Supporting an ARENA-funded project to investigate the application of Local Network Charges for local generation. Future goals that I would like to achieve in my role include continuing to work across Government to implement the Renewable Energy Action Plan. Managing a smooth transition for customers and the electricity network as the Solar Bonus Scheme nears its end will be a priority for 2016. To this day, I continue to be moved by villages that have no electricity, which means no lights for reading, no safety at night and no medical facilities. I want to see Australia get better at accessing its abundant, free and clean renewable energy resources. If I wasn’t in my role, I’d proudly be a full-time mum! 72 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: THE PROBLEM WITH DC ISOLATORS After a spate of rooftop fires, some in the industry are claiming DC isolator switches are dangerous and should be banned. Should we be worried? EcoGeneration’s Senior Journalist Anthony Holden investigates. here has been a debate raging in the solar that must be eradicated at all costs? To get there are some very good reasons why the Tcommunity in recent months, sparked by a to the bottom of this, we contacted a range of devices are failing so catastrophically. small but controversial component of PV solar installers and analysts, and various “Although [DC isolators are] rated for systems: the DC isolator or disconnect switch. industry bodies and government agencies. It external installation, they are not suited to This seemingly innocuous device was made a soon became clear that there was a good deal Australia’s harsh conditions,” he says. “If the legal requirement of rooftop PV systems in of confusion and misinformation surrounding appliance is out directly in the weather, you The Solar Installer 2012, partly at the request of emergency this issue, and we had to dig a little deeper would expect rapid deterioration, and that is services, as a way to shut down a solar system before we got the answers. what we are seeing.” And considering that DC at the point of generation. First though, a little bit of background. isolators are generally sited next to or under However, after a rash of fires caused by a solar array, exposure to harsh weather is failed DC isolators, predominantly in THE ‘TICKING TIME BOMB’ more or less a given. IFC Queensland, there has been a call from some The campaign against DC isolators in To make matters worse, says Mr Sadler, any quarters to have the devices banned – and to Australia has been led by Lucas Sadler, failure will be both “sudden and dangerous”, have all existing examples removed. Executive Director of SolarSafe. In April, he owing to the high DC load on the device. The problem is widely recognised. In its launched a petition on Communityrun.org “Most failures simply result in fire with no National Survey Report of PV Power calling for a ban of DC isolators, and the warning signs,” he says. Applications in Australia 2014, the Australian removal of all current devices from solar PV Institute (APVI) described DC isolators as installations. He claimed that more than 167 AN ISOLATED PROBLEM “the leading cause of substandard systems” fires have been caused by the devices in While this paints a rather worrying picture, (Needs to be a separate PDF) and said that further work was required to Australia since 2012, compared to just three others have been more cautious in their ensure their safe operation. PV-related fires in Australia in the years prior response. Sandy Atkins, Solar Accreditation In opposition to this is a view, espoused by to this. Manager at the Clean Energy Council (CEC), electrical safety authorities, that says the For Mr Sadler, this really is a matter of life says that “DC isolators have been associated (Needs to start on page 73) devices are not inherently dangerous, and and death. “We just think the whole issue is a with dozens of minor incidents across the that any problems can be managed by ticking time bomb,” he says. “I personally country, although most of these relate to faulty prohibiting a small number of defective have seen these fires occur and I just wouldn’t products which have been recalled.” brands. Several models of DC isolator were want a person seriously injured or killed by Mr Atkins does, however, suggest that the recalled in 2014. something so stupid.” devices are more or less pointless, as they are So who is correct? Are DC isolators Mr Sadler believes that, while the idea of a not even likely to be used in the event of a important safety devices or a fire hazard DC cut-off switch is not inherently wrong, fire. “The reality is that the rooftop isolator is rarely used to help shut down the operation of a system. Firefighters use a variety of techniques to minimise the risks when attending an incident where a home has a “Although [DC isolators are] rated for external solar power system on the roof.” Nigel Morris, former director of Solar installation, they are not suited to Australia’s Business Services, also points out that – historically – some of the fires in rooftop harsh conditions.” systems were not caused by DC isolators at all. Rather, they were caused by polarised LUCAS SADLER DC circuit breakers that were installed incorrectly – and this is no longer a problem because polarised breakers were subsequently banned. www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 75 THE SOLAR INSTALLER THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: internal fault in the DC isolator switch A: There is no evidence to suggest the device improves “We just think the whole issue is a ticking mechanism causing overheating of contacts, the safety of a PV system, says Lucas Sadler. resulting in arcing and fire.” B: Isolator switches have typically failed due to poor time bomb.” Looking at all the fire incidents, the ESO design, poor installation or subsequent damage and says the possible causes identified include: degradation. LUCAS SADLER • Poor design related to aspects of the DC isolator (such as the issue related to recalled devices, internal layout Nonetheless, he says the separate problem provided to us by the ESO is illuminating. of devices, ensuring suitability for of DC isolator failure is serious, and growing. A spokesperson for the ESO told us that in local temperatures) “DC isolators add a lot of risk to a system and Queensland, there have been an estimated • Poor design and/or manufacture of emergency services about the continued so far they have no proven benefits. I don’t 500,000 DC isolator or circuit breakers DC isolator/enclosure resulting in appropriateness of the rooftop DC isolator A B know if I would share an alarmist view; installed across approximately 390,000 solar moisture ingress requirement for new solar power systems”. however, on balance, is the probability high installations. Since September 2010, there • Possible subsequent damage or A spokesperson for the Clean Energy that we will see more failures on 1.5 million have been 209 fire incidents involving solar degradation after installation causing goes on. “We are approaching a DC isolator Essentially, then, the ESO is putting the Regulator (CER) further confirms that “issues systems installed? Yes.” isolation devices reported to the ESO. Of moisture ingress or hot joint connections tsunami,” he says, explaining that any onus back on solar installers. As long as the with installation practices and water ingress these, 187 related to DC isolators and 22 • Poor installation methods (issues could devices installed in the solar boom of 2011-12 DC isolator is well made and “properly of rooftop DC isolators” have been referred to WHY DO THEY FAIL? related to circuit breakers. include loose terminals, incorrect sealing are now approaching five years old, making installed” there is nothing to worry about. the relevant Australian Standards Committee So, what is causing these catastrophic This figure – 187 fires – is more than even allowing moisture ingress, damaged wiring). deterioration a growing concern. Though the office does add the caveat that it for consideration. And in the shorter term, failures? Some experts we spoke to Lucas Sadler claims, confirming that there is Or other words, all of the above. The Queensland ESO, however, is not “strongly recommends homeowners have says the CER, it’s been agreed that the CEC mentioned overheating, others poor design of a serious risk here. What’s more, only about quite so agitated. “The ESO believes ongoing maintenance conducted on their will improve its installation guidelines. units. The APVI report cited water ingress and half of these occurred in models that have WHAT’S NEXT? properly designed, manufactured, installed solar systems in accordance with the Nigel Morris concludes that the issue is arcing resulting from poor installation. been recalled. There remains the question of what to do and maintained DC isolators used in solar manufacturer’s instructions”. now in the hands of Standards Australia. To get the hard facts, EcoGeneration went “Of the 187 DC isolator fire incidents,” about DC isolators. Lucas Sadler is pushing system installations do not pose an Nonetheless, it seems there is movement “They hold the authority on this, and we need to the source of the problems – Queensland, says the ESO, “95 related to fires in recalled for an urgent change in standards, as well as electrical safety hazard in Queensland,” towards removing the DC isolator requirement to call on them to fix it. Ultimately, if roof- where the majority of fires have occurred – devices. These recalled devices included the removal of all DC isolators from says an ESO spokesperson, while adding from the solar installation standards. Sandy mounted DC isolators add to the risk, instead and spoke to the Queensland Government Avanco, PV Power, Gen3, NHP and ISOMAX. Australian rooftops, warning that the that the office will continue to work to Atkins says the CEC “is in the process of of improving safety, why on earth are we Electrical Safety Office (ESO). The information The DC isolators were recalled due to an problem is only going to get worse as time improve standards. consulting with firefighters and other using them?” NOBODY SAY PINK BATTS So you’re a solar installer, While the debate around DC isolators has been running since at least last year, the level of alarm was raised considerably by the publication of an article entitled ‘The Greatest Debacle in Solar PV: Australia’s Rooftop DC but are you a Bluestream Isolator Fires’ in April 2015. It was written by Christopher Dusch, a Kiwi solar professional who led a successful campaign to have DC isolators removed from New Zealand safety standards (an unusual move, as the NZ standards solar installer? are generally shared in common with Australia). Bluestream Australia is a national solar PV installation The article was originally published on Lucas Sadler’s SolarSafe website, and was then widely shared and management company. We only work with the best in republished. In it, Mr Dusch makes a number of very concerning claims, including that the government knew DC the business. switches to be unsafe as far back as 2011 – that is, before they were mandated. It also claims that the original Things we look for are quality of workmanship, reliability, arguments in favour of DC isolators – that solar panels had caused house fires, and that a number of firefighters had full adherence to regulation and WH&S, strong customer died from incidents related to solar DC current – were fabricated. service skills and above all, a positive ‘can do’ attitude. “Despite the lack of fires or any demonstrable harm from solar panels themselves, and in spite of the evidence If you think this is you, please contact us to become part showing the fire risk from DC switches, Standards Australia moved to mandate the rooftop DC switch nationwide in of our network. 2012, in the name of fire safety,” writes Mr Dusch. We are currently managing residential, commercial and However, while many of Mr Dusch’s concerns are legitimate, it must be pointed out that he is mistaken in directing industrial installations across all states and territories any blame at Standards Australia (SA). In a response to EcoGeneration’s enquiries, SA says: “Mr Dusch and Mr Sadler and in Asia. … remain mistaken in their assertion that Standards Australia has made DC isolators mandatory, or is in any way responsible for the situation as they claim. We do not have the power to make any Standards or any requirements mandatory in legislation. “Where the Australian Standard is concerned, we are responsible for facilitating the development of the standard and do not provide any technical content ourselves. We have acted on all credible and relevant feedback on the content of our Standard. We have also made all the above points very clear to Mr Dusch.” Bluestream Australia Pty Ltd Nigel Morris also dismisses any suggestion of official negligence or wrongdoing. “Industry and standards bodies [email protected] | +61 (0)2 8332 6131 decided that making DC isolators mandatory was the right thing to do. Everyone has the same interest, which is to www.bluestreamaustralia.com make things safer.” 76 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 77 THE SOLAR INSTALLER THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: CLEAN ENERGY MARKET WRAP from the SRES obligation, STC submission 1 YEAR DAILY CLOSING SPOT LGC PRICE Marco Stella is Senior Broker, Environmental Markets at TFS Green Australia. The TFS Green Australia team provides numbers over the second half of the year will project and transactional environmental market brokerage and data services across all domestic and international be closely observed for any sign of an $/MWh renewable energy, energy efficiency and carbon markets. The information below has been provided by TFS Green and increase. Should an increase occur, it could 54.00 relates, unless otherwise indicated, to the spot prices in Australian dollars, as of 4 August 2015. result in a return to some price volatility in Q4 51.00 48.00 (the quarter with the smallest STC obligation). 45.00 Marco Stella 42.00 Senior Broker LARGE-SCALE GENERATION 39.00 TFS Green Australia CERTIFICATE (LGCS) MARKET 36.00 Despite the eventual passage in June of the 33.00 amended RET legislation – shrinking the 30.00 DOMESTIC scheme substantially and restoring what 27.00 could loosely be described as bipartisanship 03 Aug 14 03 Oct 14 03 Dec 14 03 Feb 15 03 Apr 15 03 Jun 15 03 Aug 15 Creation Spot Price ($AU) on the policy – the LGC market failed to see the significant increase in prices that many ENERGY EFFICIENCY DAILY CLOSING SPOT PRICE LGC - Large-scale Generation Certificates 154,295,049 52.50 had been anticipating. $/tCO2-e Instead, the spot LGC market spent June STC - Small-scale Technology Certificates 137,043,907 39.85 24.00 and July bound within the $51.50 – $52.50 ESC 22.00 VEEC - Victorian Energy Efficient Certificates 27,750,475 22.00 bracket. Trade activity was healthy in the spot VEEC market during this time and the forward 20.00 ESC - NSW Energy Savings Certificates 12,581,768 20.40 market also enjoyed a number of busy periods 18.00 in which large volumes were transacted. 16.00 Interestingly, the forward curve for vintages 14.00 INTERNATIONAL Cal 16 and Cal 17 have been trading at an 12.00 escalation below the roughly 3 per cent cost Dec 2015 Price (€) Dec 2015 Price ($AU) 10.00 of finance above the spot market. 8.00 EUA - European Emission Allowances 7.98 12.13 Following the passage of legislation (and at 03 Aug 14 03 Oct 14 03 Dec 14 03 Feb 15 03 Apr 15 03 Jun 15 03 Aug 15 the time of writing), there had been three project commitments announced with a SMALL-SCALE TECHNOLOGY 1 YEAR DAILY CLOSING SPOT STC PRICE combined potential capacity of over 500 MW. CERTIFICATE (STC) MARKET $/MWh While such a level of commitments in little of renewables which may only be tempered by market. The steady upward trend in the With supply and demand closely balanced in 40.50 over a month is a good start, a number of the political reality that the industry remains market came to an end in mid-June with the the STC market, both price volatility and 40.00 these projects were underpinned (at least in popular among the electorate. spot reaching a high of $22.50. Very large 39.50 trade activity have declined sharply across part) by the ACT feed-in tariff regime, and ESC registrations across late May and June, 39.00 2015 with the Clearing House impacting on 38.50 were always likely to be announced following ENERGY EFFICIENCY MARKET above, the trend seen across the rest of the over-the-counter market activity. Spot 38.00 the political deal. The Victorian Energy Efficiency Certificate year resulted in an extra 500,000 ESCs being activity across Q2 took place within the 37.50 Looking forward, a major influence on the (VEEC) market finally broke through its approved during this time. $39.85 – $40.00 price range. 37.00 LGC price will be the continued flow of project trading range in July, pushing above the $20 From there the spot market softened back 36.50 Interestingly, Q2 compliance saw an commitments which – across the remainder of mark on its way to a late month high of to $18.55 in mid July before subsequently 36.00 under-surrender of roughly 4.3 per cent 03 Aug 14 03 Oct 14 03 Dec 14 03 Feb 15 03 Apr 15 03 Jun 15 03 Aug 15 the decade – need to top 5,000 MW. Should $22.00. The price increases came despite only recovering to $20.40 at the time of writing. when compared with the nominal Q2 target of commitments continue, there will be less a modest reduction in VEEC submissions over The new financial year has seen a reduction in 25 per cent of the annual obligation. The pressure for prices to increase as the the period, along with no further ESC registration rates, though the numbers outcome is likely the result of the carving out potential pool of LGCs grows, thus warding off developments in the wait for the release of nonetheless remain healthy given there are 2015 WEEKLY STC SUBMISSIONS of emissions intensive, trade exposed a potential shortfall. Should they not, the the target for 2016 and beyond. currently enough ESCs in existence to . industries (EITEs) from the renewable energy 000s STCs market will continue to march toward a future VEEC submissions remain dominated by cover the 2015 target with a surplus of circa target (RET) as part of the agreement 600 in which the (still sizeable) LGC surplus is Schedule 21C, which is still responsible for 1.1 million left over for 2016. Weekly Submisisons between the major political parties to slash 500 rapidly diminished, with pricing likely to over 80 per cent of creations. Differences of Despite the scheme’s legislation requiring the RET. This change appears set to result in Subs required by 2015 STP to avoid reduction of current surplus reflect expectations of scarcity. opinion on whether or not Schedule 21C will the tabling of the government’s review of a reduction in the overall number of STCs to 400 Against this reality will be weighed the continue to prosper, alongside the setting of the Energy Saving Scheme (ESS) by 30 June, be surrendered across 2015 in the region of 300 potential for further changes to the scheme the target for 2016 and a determination of at the time of writing this had not happened, 1-2 million STCs. that emerge from the federal political arena. what new activities (or alterations to existing leaving participants to speculate on whether 200 STC submissions increased in July While the Coalition appears to have accepted ones) will be announced, are going to or not the Baird Government will go ahead following a three-month period in which the 100 the large reduction in the RET as a success, it determine pricing outcomes over the with its preferred target position of an weekly figures were closely anchored to the 0 is clear that elements of the party (including remainder of the year. increase to 7 per cent in 2016, with further 300k mark. Given the removal of the EITEs 05 Jan 15 05 Mar 15 05 May 15 05 Jul 15 05 Sep 15 05 Nov 15 a number of its leadership as well as the The middle of the year was a volatile and annual increases of 0.5 per cent in 2017 Prime Minister) harbour a deep-seated dislike active affair in the New South Wales ESC and 2018. 78 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 79 THE SOLAR INSTALLER THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: IN BRIEF ONE-STOP SYSTEM SOLUTION Fronius has launched its Fronius Power Package into the market. Designed for medium and E large-scale PV installations, A each package comprises string inverters, the connection between the inverters and the public grid/transformer station, and the C pre-fabricated cables. A, B, E and F: The solar retailer and the solar installer often get confused or SOLAR CELL TECHNOLOGICAL interchanged. Images courtesy of Enphase (A), Ecoelectric (B) and iEnergytech (E, F). INNOVATION AFOOT C: © LUCARELLI TEMISTOCLE / Shutterstock Chinese PV manufacturer Jinko B D F D: © bikeriderlondon / Shutterstock Solar recently achieved maximum power of 334.5 W for 60-cell subcontract to a solar retailer it is important Regulator inspection program currently puts laboratory poly-modules, setting a that these additional requirements are this figure at approximately 4 per cent – new record in the PV industry. factored in to your contract. though it’s worth nothing that a number of Power and efficiency improvements We all need to work together to ensure the issues identified in the inspection data are will be commercialised to increase we have a viable and sustainable solar not solar-specific. the output per unit and decrease industry. Solar installers are highly skilled The changes to the guidelines aim to the cost per KWh. individuals who are required to, among ‘raise the bar’ of solar PV installs, and the other things, undertake continuous deadline for mandatory compliance was LG SOLAR TECHNOLOGY WINS SOLAR professional development courses, buy new 1 September. From this date, Clean Energy INTERSOLAR AWARD Australian Standards, and have adequate Regulator inspections have been assessed LG’s 320 W NeON 2 module, which insurance. They are also subject to more against the guidelines and the relevant won an Intersolar Award in the PV ACCREDITATION scrutiny than any other sector of the Australian Standards. category for its Cello technology, electrical industry. This is why it is important The latest installation guidelines are was launched in Australia in August that solar installers factor in all these available on the Solar Accreditation website. 2015 and will be showcased at UPDATE ‘non-billable’ components of their work when The CEC ran some webinars to cover All-Energy 2015. negotiating a contract with a solar retailer. It the major changes in the guidelines. is not in the best interests of the solar The webinar is available at no charge to SOLAR HYBRID INVERTERS retailer, end customer, or solar installer accredited installers in the installer area ARE IN In a new regular column for The Solar Installer, Clean Energy Council Accreditation Manager themselves if the solar installer’s business is of the Solar Accreditation website ReneSola’s newly launched Replus Sandy Atkins gives us a rundown of the latest news from the world of solar accreditation. not sustainable. (www.solaraccreditation.com.au), and is Hybrid Series is capable of reducing As part of the annual accredited worth 50 CPD points. electricity consumption in homes installer survey, the CEC asked solar and offices, if the power output is WHAT IS A SOLAR INSTALLER? The Clean Energy Council (CEC) manages The distinction is an important one. The installers in all states a number of BATTERY ENDORSEMENT FOR GRID effectively controlled. PV panels The solar industry can be a confusing the accreditation scheme for solar installers CEC produces installation guidelines for questions about subcontract labour costs in CONNECT INSTALL ACCREDITATION are connected to the Replus Hybrid, landscape. Originally it was mainly small and Origin is not accredited with us – nor can installers to follow. Installations are assessed 2013. We are running this survey again in As a result of increasing consumer demand which has an inbuilt regulator and businesses who managed the whole process it be. CEC accreditation is only available to against these guidelines and a number of September and we want to see as many for battery storage, the CEC will soon performs as a battery charger, of selling, designing and installing solar PV individuals, not companies. The intent of the Australian Standards, while systems are responses as possible to give us the best introduce a new battery storage endorsement making it a DC-coupled Hybrid systems. This is still true today to some accreditation scheme is to allow an individual inspected by the Clean Energy Regulator. If an possible insight into the status of the solar for grid-connect accreditation. when connected to batteries. extent, but we have seen the emergence of to show they have done additional training inspection finds defects, the solar installer is installer market. The Renewable and Sustainable Energy the ‘solar retailer’. These are companies that and are competent at installing solar PV the person who is held responsible for Also, if you are just starting out as a Technical Advisory Committee (RSE TAC) TWO NEW E-GUIDES AVAILABLE market directly to customers for the systems. Therefore, a ‘solar installer’ is a rectification. The solar retailer is not solar installer, NECA runs a very has drafted new training units specifically IN ECOGENERATION SHOP installation of solar PV, but may not do the person who has proved to the CEC that they inspected as part of the Clean Energy informative course on quoting and looking at the requirements for Designing The Warranties and Insurance installation themselves, often subcontracting are competent in installing solar PV. Regulator’s inspection process. estimating (see the NEC website). Battery Storage Systems for Grid Connected E-Guide covers a range of key topics the installation to a solar installer. Origin is in fact a solar PV retailer. It uses The solar installer has a number of Photovoltaic Systems (see The Energy including warranty breaches, legal The solar retailer and the solar installer CEC-accredited solar installers so that responsibilities when it comes to installing UPDATES TO THE CEC INSTALL Skills Australia website.). Successful risks and professional indemnity often get confused or interchanged. the solar PV systems are eligible for STCs, solar PV, including adapting to standards and GUIDELINES completion of these units will be accepted insurance, while The E-Guide to An example of this was a Choice survey but the company itself is not a solar requirements which change over time. Two The CEC has updated the installation by the CEC for proof of competence to Solar Energy Storage will cover early this year that found Origin, one of the installer. (Companies can, however, recent examples are the earth fault indication guidelines for solar installers, in an attempt to obtain the new endorsement. storage technology, applications big three retailers, was the most popular become Approved Solar Retailers – see requirement and the updated Clean Energy lower the rate of installations that are It is expected that training for these units and installation. ‘solar installer’. www.approvedsolarretailer.com.au for more.) Council Accreditation Guidelines. If you deemed to be unsafe. The Clean Energy will be available in the second half of 2015. 80 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 81 THE SOLAR INSTALLER THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: PROJECT PROFILE: A HILLINGTON CLOSE SOLAR INSTALLATION A: Lifting the lid of the cable tray reveals just how neat the layout is. B: To make maintenance This 100 kW solar installation near Melbourne was completed by the award-winning team at simpler, each inverter corresponds to a iEnergytech, and has drawn widespread praise for its precision and attention to detail. seperate row of modules. n industrial rooftop in Derrimut, on the labels were custom cut to fit exactly into the with two- or three-hole seals were used, Gerich’s technology and further by placing Awestern fringes of Melbourne, is not the requisite boxes/enclosures. Also, there’s the helping to achieve an IP67 rating. them under the modules against the upraised first place you might expect to find a work of general layout of the array. The roof was only Thirdly, all connectors were of MC4 Schletter rail system. All the screws inside the art. But these are the exact words that have three degrees in pitch so we used elegant manufacture and only genuine MC4 crimping switch are torqued using Weidmuller and been used to describe the Hillington Close Schletter FixZ7 racking to elevate the system tools and tightening spanners were used to Hazet torque tools and the cable is crimped in solar installation, a 100 kW commercial PV by another five-odd degrees, and a gap of ensure that the connectors achieve their bootlace ferrules made in Germany. Crimping Project name: Hillington Close project completed by Melbourne firm 400 mm was left between rows of modules to rated IP67 rating. is done via a Knipex crimping tool. Further, an solar installation iEnergytech earlier this year. aid with future maintenance. And finally, all the modules’ mid and end earth reference is placed inside every switch, Location: Derrimut, Victoria Admittedly, the author of those words was clamps were torqued to 13.7 Nm with a 1 per only provided-for fixing points are used to fix (in the outer west of Melbourne) Blair Pester, Asia-Pacific Sales Director of All the cabling is very neat – what are B cent accurate Hazet torque wrench to ensure the switch to the rail and no new holes are Owner/operator: Hillington Close WINAICO, whose high-performance the practical benefits of this? no damage to the side walls of the panels introduced. No silicon is used – all holes are polycrystalline panels were used in the Firstly, you get lower heat-related losses as clamps, as the use of impact drivers tends to (and thereby a compromising of the IP), and engineered with custom parts. Then, and then Pty Ltd, a manufacturer of fuel installation. But he is not the only one to wax opposed to simply ‘throwing’ them all into a compromise the sealing of the panels and can further to ensure that the required wind-load only, can we meet the stringent requirements tanks for the fuel industry lyrical about the project. Geoff Bragg, NSW duct, and secondly, ease of maintenance as it lead to moisture penetration. design of the racking was adhered to. of putting a DC isolator up on the roof. Developer/contractor: chairman of the Solar Energy Industries is a lot easier to ‘follow’ the runs. Secondly, rooftop DC isolators were iEnergytech Pty Ltd Association and Secretary of the Australian protected with Gerich GmbH IP68-rated What DC isolator switches did you use, Have you got any other interesting Capacity: 99.84 kW solar PV Solar Council, described images of the project You had a large, unobstructed rooftop adapters (i.e. where penetrations were made), and what’s your view generally on the projects coming up? Commissioned: January 2015 as “electro-porn”, while renewable energy to work with – did this allow you to do which mate with Gerich Polyamide conduit. safety of these devices? We’ve just finished a 51 kWp at the Yarra consulting firm IT Power, which has anything special? Gerich rubber seals were placed over the We used ABB switches, made in Finland. As Plenty Regional Library, and are extending Key equipment installed: undertaken over 5,000 quality and It certainly helps. It allowed us to leave adapters to achieve the desired IP68 rating. I’ve described, iEnergytech has invested another project to 112 kWp for Moreland City WINAICO WST polycrystalline compliance inspections of rooftop PV consistent maintenance gaps and also have Where cables exited from the Polyamide considerable efforts to ensure that the safety Council. And we are actively pursuing other modules; Fronius Symo inverters; installations in recent years, said, “from what the row lengths to match the electrical strings corrugated conduit, Gerich female adapters rating of the switches are achievable, via commercial projects. HUBER+SUHNER DC cabling; we can see the installer’s attention to detail and the groups to match the inverters. This Schletter FixZ7 racking and aesthetics went well above what would be helps with maintenance. Energy supply & usage: Annual considered best practice”. generation: 135,000 kWh. Self- It’s not the first time iEnergytech has drawn What were some of the challenges of consumption: over 75 per cent. acclaim for its workmanship. In July 2014, the installation? another 100 kW project (developed for The roof was two storeys high and there was a CO2 offset: 161 tons/year Micronisers in Dandenong, VIC) was recognised large canopy extending from the side of the Expected payback period: Solar Grid Connect Design and Install Course – with an ‘Industry best practice for installation’ building, so we had to hire a larger-than- CEC Accreditation 6-7 years award by the Clean Energy Council. normal crane. In addition, there were fibreglass »» Sydney,»23-26»November» »» Brisbane,»19-22»October» Number of full-time employees: Judging by the pictures, the same high sheets interspersed on the roof and they had During construction: 7 »» Adelaide,»10-13»November,»15-18»January» standards have been brought to the Hillington to be avoided as much as practically possible. »» Albury,»26-29»February» Close project, so we caught up with Udayan Finally, there was no fall protection available, »» Darwin,»4-7»March»2016» Bhanot, Managing Director of iEnergytech, to so rated anchor points were installed and Solar Grid Connect with Battery Storage - find out more. barriers/bollards with chains placed along the CEC Endorsement »» Adelaide,»28-31»January» edge of the area we were working in. »» Sydney,»19-22»November» This installation has been described »» Albury,»10-13»October» as a work of art – what makes it Were any special measures taken to »» Brisbane,»23-26»October» so special? protect against water ingress, UV »» Perth,»19-22»January» It’s the attention-to-detail factor – the fact that degradation and so on? Stand Alone Power Systems and CEC Accreditation »» Adelaide,»6-9»and»14-16»November» P: 1800 059 170 the cable runs and trays have been so carefully Absolutely. Firstly, no impact drivers were »» Darwin»8-14»March W: www.skillbuild.edu.au laid out, symmetrically on the wall, and all the allowed for the tightening of the mid and end 82 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 83 THE SOLAR INSTALLER THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SPONSORED BY: A and B: Looking out over the site of the Bulli Creek Solar Farm, which is on pre-cleared country with no risk of flooding and enjoys abundant sunshine. C: The indicative footprint of the Bulli Creek Solar Farm that was submitted for the development proposal. D: Solar Choice Managing Director Angus Gemmell with the development A B proposal notification sign outside the site. the major 330 kV power substation located “Thankfully, the legislation was repealed in political battleground, and policy discussion is along the main transmission artery spanning mid-2014, allowing a more common sense too often mired in emotive arguments that the New South Wales-Queensland border. approach and a smoother process.” most other developed countries matured BULLI CREEK MARKS A NEW Apart from the critical need to be close to from and left behind years ago.” infrastructure, there was also the issue of the EYE TO THE FUTURE That aside, Mr Gemmell expects a range of land suitability. The solar farm had to be on There are pros and cons to developing large-scale projects to mushroom in strategic pre-cleared country with no risk of flooding. large-scale solar PV in Australia, according locations across Australia. ERA IN AUSTRALIAN SOLAR The swath of land selected met both of these to Mr Gemmell. “The RET is the main driver for the retailers criteria; a collection of three adjacent family- “We are fortunate to have vast space, to sign PPAs at the moment, but in the longer owned cattle-grazing properties – all cleared abundant sunshine and the longest contiguous term we anticipate all sorts of positive decades ago – straddling the Bulli Creek but grid on the planet with modern infrastructure. scenarios presenting themselves for The multi-staged 2 GW Bulli Creek Solar Farm will be almost 20 times bigger than Australia’s located at the high end of the watershed. “On the downside in Australia, renewable Australia’s energy mix, as EPC costs for large- current largest solar farm, paving the way for future investments in the Australian large-scale Mr Gemmell says it was this relatively energy at a federal level has become a scale PV are reduced.” solar market. unusual combination of factors that made the Bulli Creek site such an attractive spot for a solar farm of this magnitude. nce completed, the farm will be the “There are plenty of distribution Olargest utility-scale solar plant in the substations in rural Australia, but only a southern hemisphere. Currently, Australia’s surprisingly small number of transmission largest solar farm is the 103 MW Nyngan nodes west of the Great Divide surrounded “We believe that large- Solar Plant in western New South Wales. by broad-acre, cleared and flat land. Solar project broker and consumer “We did our research and located the Bulli scale solar is on comparison service Solar Choice obtained Creek site as ticking all the right boxes, with planning approval for the project in very large grid capacity to allow the right side of history February 2015. development over multiple large stages.” – it’s not a matter of if Construction – expected to begin mid-next All of the existing wildlife corridors along year pending power purchase agreement C the location’s creeks and ridges will be projects of this scale (PPA) negotiations – will be carried out in preserved through the construction and multi MW segments, the first of which is Australia, but when,” Solar Choice Managing operation of the solar farm. will be built in expected to be larger than any solar farm Director Angus Gemmell said. Australia, but when.” currently operational in Australia. The Long-term, once the full 2 GW of capacity CHALLENGES project is also expected to be the world’s has been built, the plant will generate The main challenge Solar Choice faced during largest planning-approved project, as many enough clean electricity to power the 18-month planning application process ANGUS GEMMELL other larger projects overseas are only approximately 700,000 households. was adhering to strategic cropping land conceptual at this stage. legislation, previously applied indiscriminately US-based solar giant SunEdison has now LOCATION, LOCATION across much of rural Queensland. formally partnered with Solar Choice to co- The plant will be located approximately “Our site has historically been used for develop the project long-term. 150 km west of Toowoomba and will span cattle grazing, not agriculture, and we are “We believe that large-scale solar is on roughly 13,000 acres of cleared, flat cattle located 35 km to the west of the rich Darling the right side of history – it’s not a matter of grazing land. The site was selected for both Downs soils, so it was a frustrating issue to if projects of this scale will be built in its abundant sunshine and close proximity to deal with,” Mr Gemmell says. D 84 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 85 WHERE CAN YOU THE SOLAR INSTALLER FIND SPONSORED BY: CALENDAR OF EVENTS ECOGENERATION? DATE / VENUE EVENT WEBSITE MEDIA PARTNER 7-8 OCTOBER 2015 COOKING WITH SOLAR All-Energy and ATRAA all-energy.com.au BOOTH Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre DISTRIBUTION 17-18 NOVEMBER 2015 MEDIA PARTNER Building on its sustainable operations, Stamps Restaurant in Mitcham, Adelaide has installed a National Energy Efficiency Conference 2015 eec.org.au Pullman Melbourne on the Park DISTRIBUTION 10.2 kW PV system on its roof. 4-5 MAY 2016 MEDIA PARTNER renton Allan, owner and chef of Stamps Jason Hicks, an accredited solar installer Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Solar Conference & Exhibition 2016 solar.org.au BOOTH BRestaurant in Adelaide, runs an with Solar Spot, performed an onsite Centre DISTRIBUTION environmentally-conscious kitchen, complete assessment of the roof area and with a worm farm and vegetable garden. recommended installing the SolarEdge DC 8-9 JUNE 2016 Australian Energy Storage Conference MEDIA PARTNER australianenergystorage.com.au Seeing an opportunity to extend this optimised inverters. The inverters offered Australian Technology Park, Sydney & Exhibition DISTRIBUTION approach to his energy use, Mr. Allan recently increased energy output from the solar Below: Mr Allan and decided to work with solar installer Solar Spot modules thanks to their module-level Mr Hicks with the 10.2 kW PV system. to install a 10.2 kW PV system. maximum power point tracking (MPPT), and allowed for more modules on the roof, while decreasing balance of system (BoS) costs as a result of the system’s design flexibility. ADVERTISERS’ INDEX Another reason Mr Allan selected the ABB 11 Go Energy 55 Risen Solar Technology 37 SolarEdge solution was the desire to have the Acresta Carbon Pty Ltd 51 Greenbank Environmental 33 Robert Bosch (Australia) Pty Ltd 74 highest level of safety for his PV system, as All-Energy 2015 Exhibition & Conference 65 Hunter United 57 Schneider Electric 43 the building is split with a residential unit. In Altenergy Power Systems 17 Ingeteam Australia 25 Selectronic 64 the event of an inverter or grid shutdown, Bluestream Australia 38, 77 JA Solar 63 Simultech Australia 42 SolarEdge’s SafeDC™ technology acts as a Bradman Recruitment Group 47 Jinko Solar 7 Skillbuild Training 83 certified DC disconnect, which is designed to Classic Clean Energy Finance 60 Linked Solar Systems 35 Solar Juice Pty Ltd IFC remove DC current as well as high voltage Clean Energy Council 67 MPower 12 SolarEdge 71 from all string wires for installer, maintenance EcoGeneration 69, IBC NHP Electrical Products Pty Ltd 39 Solpac 21 personnel, and firefighter safety. Enphase Energy 13 Perlight 19 SunEdison 2 In the face of a shutdown, the voltage of ET Solar 53 Phillip Riley Pty Ltd 48 The Solar Warehouse 1 each module is designed to reduce to a safe Exide Technologies 41 R & J Batteries 59 Trina Solar Australia OBC level of 1 V. The solution complies with the Fronius Australia Pty Ltd 5 ReneSola 27 Vulcan Energy Solutions 29 most advanced European safety standards, Fusion Power Systems 61 RF Industries Pty Ltd 23 including certification for IEC 60947 as a disconnection means between a PV inverter and a PV generator, and for VDE 2100-712 for safety during firefighting or maintenance. To maximise self-consumption of the power generated from the solar system, Mr Allan upgraded the kitchen’s gas-powered oven to IN THE NEXT EDITION OF : an electric convection one, as the former was subject to rising gas prices. Who are the women shaping the clean energy sector? Solar Spot’s Mr Hicks estimates that the PV system has an annual yield of 13,221 kWh, which will give Mr Allan a return on investment in only four years, based on his current consumption patterns. Seeing an opportunity to extend this approach to his energy use, Mr Allan recently decided to work with solar installer Solar Spot to install a 10.2 kW PV system. To advertise in EcoGeneration magazine, contact Lisa Hesketh via email [email protected] or call 03 9248 5100. 86 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au ecogeneration October 2015 / 87 THE SOLAR INSTALLER SPONSORED BY: SOLAR INSTALLER PROFILE In a new column in The Solar Installer, EcoGeneration will profile a solar installer doing good work somewhere in Australia. Here we chat to Jeremy Hunt, co-owner and MD of Country Solar NT. arwin-based Country Solar NT is the didn’t put much weight into the prospect of Dbiggest installer of solar PV systems in making the final, let alone winning. I believe the Northern Territory. Yet just four years ago our community engagement and social it was little more than a sideline for husband media had a great impact in the award, along and wife team Jeremy and Pam Hunt. with our fast growth and recently winning a Starting out with a ute and a few pallets of few large local tenders. solar panels in 2011, the Hunts have grown their business into a thriving, full-service WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY operation – designing, supplying and installing PROJECTS YOU HAVE DELIVERED IN solar systems across the Territory. THE PAST FEW YEARS? In July, the Hunts’ success was recognised • Karama shopping centre – 100 kW, with a when Country Solar NT was named the 2015 scheduled expansion to 280 kW Telstra Northern Territory Business of the • Katherine Golf and Country Club – 100 kW Year. We spoke to Jeremy Hunt to learn the • Charles Darwin University – 250 kW secrets of his success. commercial 45 per cent, and this split has • Darwin City Council – 100 kW continued on into 2015. 2015 has also seen us • A prominent Darwin shopping centre [name WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE win some tendered projects and partner with withheld] – 1.25 MW YOU STARTED YOUR BUSINESS? another company on a megawatt-size rooftop My previous employment was in construction PV system. These projects add scope and WHAT’S A TYPICAL INSTALLATION supervision in mining, oil and gas, experience to the team. The future looks FOR COUNTRY SOLAR NT? commissioning engineering for trains and as a bright, too, with increased uptake in the NT A typical residential PV install for us involves fiscal metering technician in the oil and gas driven by residential and small commercial. 4.5 kW of JA or REC solar panels and a Solar industry. All of these roles were technically Edge or Fronius inverter. challenging and gave me a strong technical HOW MANY STAFF DO YOU HAVE? baseline within my engineering field. Most We currently have 26 employees, including WHAT TYPE OF SYSTEM DO YOU recently I did three years at ConocoPhillips, solar designers, electrical engineers and HAVE AT HOME? and during that time – in late 2009, early system installers. I’m the managing director I have 4.5 kW of REC and SolarEdge on 2010 – Pam and I began looking for ideas for and my wife Pam is our accounts manager. my home. our own business. HOW MUCH SOLAR PV CAPACITY WHAT’S THE HARDEST THING HOW DID YOU GET INTO SOLAR? HAVE YOU INSTALLED THIS YEAR? ABOUT BEING A SOLAR INSTALLER Around the middle of 2010 we took a trip to More than 2,500 kW, including a 250 kW IN THE NT? Townsville to visit friends who had started system at Charles Darwin University. The hardest thing is the high humidity. If their own solar business. I was a novice in you’re not off the roof by midday in the regards to solar PV at that time, but I had a TELL US ABOUT BEING NAMED THE build-up, then you most definitely won’t finish crash course on that trip and I saw the TELSTRA BUSINESS OF THE YEAR? the install in one day. The loss of body water industry had great potential. On returning We entered the award to learn a bit about is phenomenal. to Darwin we set up a company, I completed ourselves, what we are doing right and my accreditations and by Feb 2011 we where we are falling down. We had heard ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR started trading. about the rigorous process and questions NEWCOMERS TO SOLAR? and thought it might be a good avenue to Know your products and don’t sell TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE see where the company could improve. I cheap products. GROWTH OF COUNTRY SOLAR NT. Year on year from 2012 the business has grown at 60 per cent, with early sales almost Would you like to be profiled in EcoGeneration? Interested solar installers entirely in the residential market. In 2014 can contact us at [email protected] residential made up 55 per cent and 88 / ecogeneration October 2015 www.ecogeneration.com.au Advertise in The voice for Australia’s clean energy industry www.ecogeneration.com.au www.ecogeneration.com.au/directory/ @EcoGenMag 2,100+ followers Website Online Clean Energy Directory 10,000+ unique monthly website visitors - Hosted on EcoGeneration website 20,000+ monthly page views - Industry wide company directory - Fully searchable - Premium listings available ISSUE 88 | JUNE 15 Super-efficient solar PROF. NICK ROWLEY BATTLE OF THE PHANTOM HEALTH ON DECEMBER’S BATTERIES: LITHIUM-ION EFFECTS OF WIND 60 PARIS TALKS 18 VS LEAD-ACID 54 TURBINES EXPLAINED Digital Edition Bi-monthly magazine E-guides E-newsletters Solar Installer 6 editions per year 6 editions per year 9,000+ reach 52 editions per year E-newsletter 12,000+ reach 6,000+ subscribers per guide 5,700+ subscribers 25 editions per year per edition 3,600+ subscribers For advertising enquiries contact Lisa Hesketh. +61 03 9248 5100 [email protected] www.ecogeneration.com.au ECO_Advertising_Infographic_FP.indd 1 28/08/2015 12:02 pm Trina_Solar_ECO_Oct15_FP.pdf 1 7/08/2015 4:46 pm C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Yes, you are seeing double. Find out more and visit us at All Energy 2015 in Melbourne. www.trinasolar.com.au