Blog
33% Solar tariff drop highlights flawed approach of the Economic Regulator
The Tasmanian Economic Regulator has dropped the feed-in tariff (FiT) for solar customers who signed up after 30 August 2013 from 8.282c to 5.551c effective from 1 July 2014. This 33% reduction highlights the unfairness of the methodology used by the Economic Regulator to calculate the benefits of exported solar electricity. Solar owners are being paid less than 6c for electricity that is then resold by Aurora to their neighbours for 24.7c. Tasmania’s solar tariff is now the lowest of any state in Australia that sets a state level tariff.[1]...
read moreLambie and Palmer commitments great for Tasmanian jobs
“Support of the Renewable Energy Target by Jacqui Lambie and Clive Palmer is great news for employment in Tasmania” Rob Manson, President of the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Alliance (TREA) said today. “And its great news for families and business owners looking to install renewable energy to help further reduce their energy costs.” On 21 June Senator-elect Jacqui Lambie described any changes to the Renewable Energy Target (RET) as “illegitimate” reforms for which the government did not have a mandate. On 25 June Clive Palmer announced that the...
read moreTREA submission to the RET Review
Read the TREA Submission to the RET Review. The main points in our submission are: The solar PV industry provides direct employment for over 450 Tasmanians. These jobs are skilled, permanent jobs and provide employment in rural as well as urban areas. Distributed renewable energy projects in Tasmania (including solar PV, wind and small hydro): reduce electricity costs for households and businesses, can provide a valuable source of additional income for farmers, encourage economic development in rural areas, and free up large scale hydro power...
read moreTraining session – SolarBridge Micro Inverters, 25 & 27 March
Come to the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Alliance’s next training session, learn about micro inverters and be in the draw to win a 1.5 kW kit (panels and inverters only) valued at over $2,500. Where and when: Hobart: 5:30-7:30pm, Tuesday 25 March, Hotel Soho, 124 Davey St (cnr Molle St) Devonport: 5:30-7:30pm, Thursday 27 March, Edgewater Devonport, 4 Thomas Street, Devonport East Admission: free for TREA members (you can join on the night) or $30 for others. Light refreshments provided, drinks available at bar prices. Who’s presenting: Derek...
read moreHave your say on Electrical Inspections of solar PV
All solar PV installations in Tasmania are inspected by TechSafe inspectors working under a contract with WorkSafe Tasmania. TREA, in conjunction with WorkSafe Tasmania has organised these events to allow solar installers to understand the process and to raise any concerns they have about the inspection process. Henry Hodgson, Electrical Safety Officer, WorkSafe Tasmania, will describe the background to the inspection contract. He will present information on the results of inspections to date and the types of problems that lead to the issuing...
read moreWhat do building regulation changes mean for solar PV in Tasmania?
Update 27 Nov: the Hon. David O’Byrne, Minister for Workplace Relations will be joining us for the first part of our Hobart event tomorrow. Please arrive by 5pm if possible. Tasmanian building regulations covering solar PV installations changed on 6 November. Join us to find out everything you need to know about the changes. Hobart 5pm Thursday 28 November, Hotel Soho , 124 Davey St (cnr Molle St) Launceston 5:15pm Tuesday 3 December, Sporties Hotel, 252 Charles St Light refreshments provided. Drinks and meals available at bar...
read moreAmended building regulations
Last Friday (8 November) Workplace Standards Tasmania released BRAN 03-2013 revised – advice on installation of solar panels (November 2013). Please read the Advisory Note (which contains the full text of the amended regulation) for full details but in summary, the new regulation provides for an exemption from the requirement for a building permit for solar PV installations of up to 38 square metres mounted parallel to the roof provided they meet certain other requirements. This replaces the previous exemption which was for installation...
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