Grattan Report: nearly right …

By and large the overall directions of the Grattan Institute Report ( http://grattan.edu.au/report/sundown-sunrise-how-australia-can-finally-get-solar-power-right/ ) drew sensible conclusions of future direction.

One thing we do recognise is the over-zealous feed in tariff contract on the mainland which was triple the price of power at the time with 15 year contracts. What were they thinking! However sensibly, Tasmania had a mere 1 to 1 feed in rate that was driving a benefit to mum and dad investors feeding GST revenues and driving an economy of jobs and business health in the solar sector. We must also recognise the social beneifits of renewable energy and not let this go by the wayside.

The Grattan report fails to recognise that the outcomes of over-capitalising (gold plating) the networks to meet future peak demand largely negate the need for a peak demand charging system.

The figures stated and statements made as to returns on Investment and statement s of non-viability simply do not match our locally proven data that shows a better than 6% R.O.I. year one and less than 10 year payback not 15 on domestic systems. Commercial soalr system payback time are in the 4 to 5 years area with 20+% returns on investment annually seeing high value solar gain then continuing on reliably for many decades.

The Grattan report also has missed a very important point that roof top solar markedly out performs wind power, yet our governments continue to invest large sums of money in this technology.
Instead of seeing the general public and private businesses provide the investment in an expansion of diversified locally embedded rooftop solar that ovoids not just generation costs of 6 cents but 100% of high voltage network and then most of the poles and wires too realizing 3 to 4 times the value of high voltage distant wind units that also simply produce much less kw hrs per dollar of investment also.

Tassie is in the unique position with Hydro dominance and where local rooftop solar integrates seamlessly . Yes it will not relieve peak demand and batteries are not viable perhaps for another decade or more at least. Plus Bass-Link and a second proposed one can further see Tassie drive solar released demand towards export revenues.

Since 2010 rooftop solar has shown that it is a financially sound option even without government rebates. The Gratton report is factually incorrect and it would seem that the typical top end of town have got it wrong again.
John Thirgood Managing Director Jessups