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Solar
Victoria has a world-class solar resource, and the Government is taking a range of steps to ensure the State can make the best use of this abundant and renewable energy source.
Useful energy can be harvested from the sun in a number of ways. One of the most cost-effective means is to use heat from the sun directly to heat hot water for domestic use. Since July 2006 Victoria has required all new homes to meet 5-star building standards - including the use of either solar hot water or a rainwater tank. The Victorian Government is also supporting greater uptake of solar hot water through the Victorian Energy Saver Incentive and solar hot water rebates (external link).
Not all of our energy needs take the form of heat, however. Electricity provides a flexible means of delivering energy for a wide range of purposes. Solar energy can be converted to electricity in one of two ways:
- solar photovoltaic - this type of technology generates electricity from light; and
- solar thermal - this type of technology generates electricity from heat.
Compared to other electricity generation technologies, these solar electric technologies are currently at an early stage of development - and consequently are relatively expensive compared to other forms of electricity use. To reduce the costs of these technologies and make them more accessible for future use, the Government is taking several steps:
- A Solar Atlas will provide information to project proponents on which areas of the State have the best solar regime.
- Solar Fellowships will provide Victorian professionals with an opportunity to gain valuable international experience which they can then use to build Australia's local solar industry.
- A premium Feed-in-Tariff is being established to encourage greater use of distributed, small-scale photovoltaic units.
- Funding is being provided for the Large-Scale Demonstration of pre-commercial solar technologies.
- Funding is being provided to assist in the commercial deployment of a Large Scale Solar power station.
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