“Knowledge shared is knowledge squared.”
Microsoft CEO Bill Gates has commented that his employees are ‘very familiar’ with the above phrase. The makers of software used by millions of consumers and businesses globally understand the importance not only of information access, but of knowledge sharing.
The same principle applies to the renewable energy industry. For example, the challenges posed by carbon emissions and climate change span our communities, our nation, our globe. Solutions require that we work together and share our knowledge in order to succeed.
Local councils have a right to expect those of us in the business of providing renewable energy solutions to share our knowledge – and not always at a price. We accomplish this in a variety of ways – by speaking at government events, environmental conferences, to local councils, by meeting one-on-one with rural and regional community leaders, and providing information and funding to the Local Government Managers Australia(LGMA).
Throughout 2013, we are widening our outreach by providing information and helpful tips to readers of Local Government Focus on a variety of solar energy issues.
So, to begin, let’s take a look at one of the toughest challenges faced at the national, regional and local level.
Achieving climate change and carbon objectives
Australia rates amongst the world’s highest per capita carbon dioxide emitters. Researchers at the University of East Anglia in the UK reported that in 2011, Australia recorded 17.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per person — on par with the United States. That figure is up from 16.3 tonnes per person in 2010.
The resulting impact on climate change is significant and in 2009, to combat this mounting problem, Federal Parliament passed an Expanded Renewable Energy Target to ensure that renewable energy obtains a 20 percent share of electricity supply in Australia by 2020 (Australian Government, Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator).
The increasing use of renewable energy solutions, including solar power, is helping to shrink our carbon footprint and achieve these mandatory renewable energy goals.
Some practical (and important) advice
Here are some tips to consider in tackling climate change and carbon objectives through consideration of solar power solutions, and how those of us in the industry can and should be expected to assist:
• as an important initial step, demand a full feasibility study so that your council and/or community can understand what a solar installation involves; including cost, installation approach, expected performance output over time, and measurable return on investment
• learn specifically how much a solar energy solution can decrease harmful carbon and methane emissions. Ask vendors to include in their solar feasibility study the level of carbon abatement it is reasonable to expect should the project go forward. You should be armed with information that helps you determine how much abatement can be anticipated over the full life of the solar solution – generally around 20 years
• consider existing or future landfill sites for PV plants†. If you consider a landfill site for a solar PV plant, ask the vendor how this can be done in conjunction with methane extraction, and specifically what the technical, environmental and economic benefits and challenges are. Rubbish tips produce methane, which is 21 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Methane that would otherwise enter the atmosphere can be collected and used as a fuel source to generate electricity
• expect alternatives that can provide best performance efficiency and reliability. Efficient, safe performance over time is critical not only to your return on a green energy investment, but to avoid system failures that can in turn affect the rate of harmful emissions. Work only with vendors who can provide a wide range of solutions for the council to consider. For example, solar solutions can be supplied in a variety of configurations, including rooftop, ground mount, water mounted, etc.
• become educated on the differences between various solar products and approaches and how these can affect long-term performance output, efficiency, maintenance and warranty support. Variances in product and installation quality can also impact on the amount of carbon, methane or other greenhouse gas emissions over time. Expect your renewable energy supplier to be armed with evidence-based information that enables you to understand the impact that high versus lower-quality panels and other components can have. You may discover that ‘cheaper’ is in fact more expensive over the long-term.
†In the next edition of Local Government Focus, we’ll share more knowledge about landfill-based solar systems, and provide tips on the right questions to ask potential solar solution vendors.
*Copy supplied by Doug Fletcher, General Manager Solar Inception Pty Ltd.
