Some possible good news as far as supply of solar PV is concerned, prices may fall as production rates outstrip demand.
http://www.renewableenergyfocus.com/view/14992/solar-pv-module-capacity-outpaces-demand/
Solar Modules - prices
(15 posts) (5 voices)-
Russell Moore
MemberHardly encouraging news for people in NSW who may want to add to their current installs.
If you increase the size of your install, you drop from the generous 60c rate to 20c gross feed in tariff for all of the install. And I doubt too many will even start new installs at 20c GFIT.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 7:17:20 am from IP # -
Russell Moore
MemberCheap modules are great, pity about the politics here in NSW where we have gone from the best feed in tariff, to the worst IMO.
Dirt cheap? Do we have actual quoted prices yet? Or is it all speculation?
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 12:37:48 pm from IP # -
Russell, I did say 'possible' good news but in life of course there are no guarantees. Sorry I can't be more specific.
Prices have already fallen dramatically in recent years so just like plasma TV's, overproduction is 'likely' to see further reductions.
As for subsidies they are variable and subject to the whim of politicians. But solar modules are an investment in the future as well as being one of the best ways to reduce your energy footprint that I know after energy efficiency. We've got to be careful not to throw the baby out with bathwater.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 6:37:56 pm from IP # -
Russell Moore
Memberrockabye, what I should have said is that the chance of cheaper panels is great news for those wanting to expand an existing install in every state except NSW. I for one would love to do so, but if I do I drop from 60c/kWh GFIT, to 20c/kWh GFIT for the whole system, not just the extra panels. Then there is those phantom x5 RECs, pollies, you got to love 'em...
It will also be great news for those wanting to install new systems, although not so much in NSW, as the 20c GFIT is too low to encourage installs, even with lower panel prices.
Now if only we could get rid of all this cloud.....
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 10:04:05 pm from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberRockabye eludes to the real reason people should be INVESTING in PV.
If it's just about making money off other consumers (pass through FIT) then you're missing the point completely.
If you can offset the need for some grid energy during the daylight hours that's fantastic, and if you can earn some bucks (from other consumers) then fine - that's how it is.
But, you're already getting $5,000+ rebate on the initial cost on a system, so what's the problem?Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 10:05:01 pm from IP # -
Russell Moore
Memberalfresco24, yes you are right, it would be good if we could go solar for all the right reasons, but the fact is the vast majority of the population won't do so if there is no financial incentive to do so, myself included.
Here in NSW when the 60c GFIT was announced there was a stampede to install PV, then came the sudden braking back to 20c GFIT. Hardly the right way to encourage solar long term.
Sorry to go OT.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 10:16:13 pm from IP # -
alfresco24
MemberRussell. I really do empathise with folks who struggle to justify even $2k for an entry level system that may have anywhere form 4 to 8 years payback, but it's still better than leaving/having that money in the bank.
With continuing energy price rises a foregone conclusion, the asymmetric or parity pricing FIT that PV is likely to maintain for at least the next 2-3 years is pretty reasonable.
True, it's not generous but the 60c was plain crazy, or to put it more appropriately for this forum - it wasn't sustainable.Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 10:33:46 pm from IP # -
The financial incentive is rapidly 'appearing' in the form of increasing energy prices.
Solar PV will be cheaper than coal fired electricity in a few years.
My favourite Buddha quote is applicable here
"When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
The coal age will not end because we have run out of coal.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 10:38:02 pm from IP # -
Russell Moore
MemberStill a long way to go I'm afraid, when QR were advertising their float, they claimed to be shifting 500,000 tonnes of coal a day!
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 11:18:47 pm from IP # -
QR aren't shifting much at the moment.
When the international community gets it's act together, and they will, on climate change coal will be taxed out of existence. That's why they are exporting at this frantic pace because the golden goose is going to be killed as soon as practically possible.
Solar thermal is already able to match coal on a dollar for dollar basis and no new coal plant's are being built in Australia because they are already economically unviable. Only tax payer subsidies are keeping the NSW coal power stations alive.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 11:31:01 pm from IP # -
While my excitement about price reductions is tempered now that I am commercially locked into my current system size due to the NSW Fit limitations I still think news of price reductions for cells is a big positive thing that should be celebrated. In the last two years, solar panels have become standard, commodity-like appliances, instead of specialty products and the benefits of manufacturing scale are being realised. Regardless of the poor Fit situation that I share with my fellow NS Welshmen, the price reductions will enable broader installation of this excellent technology and despite the nay-sayers, this remains a good thing in my view.
OT - I travelled to Laurieton on the mid north coast over xmas. The number of solar panels up there is amazing. Practically every third house has an array. Who-ever did all those installations certainly got a lot of momentum going. The cinema, vet, financial planner, lighting shop, several other commercial premesis and a significant number of residents have all put panels on since I was last there 1.5 years ago. With reductions in panel pricing I can see the installations continuing in places like that where no mains gas is available and so electricity is the primary energy source.
Posted Thursday 13 Jan 2011 @ 11:39:28 pm from IP # -
Russell Moore
MemberRoughly 1,000,000 tonnes of coal a day are being transported across Australia. To get that figure 30% more is actually mined, but this is reduced by processing to the above figure.
Yes Munter, I am seeing solar installs everwhere myself, it is interesting that a large amount of the installs are going into 'middle' class areas. I would like to see it made compulsory that all new houses had solar panels, after all whats a few thousand dollars when a new house can cost hundreds of thousands. What the government incentives are doing is making solar 'mainstream' and it is no longer being considered an alternative idea. About time I say.
Posted Friday 14 Jan 2011 @ 12:58:43 am from IP #
