11 June 2008

Rudd Government Should Do A Toyota Camry On Solar Panels

The Federal Government should undertake a war effort on the introduction of solar panels and establish a national manufacturing industry to mass produce solar panels in Australia.

Archicentre, the building advisory service of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects today said a recent report to the Rudd Government which showed households will use an extra 50% more power by 2020, should be a major wake up and shake up call to a new approach to solar energy policy.

Solar panels on the roof of a property

Robert Caulfield, Managing Director of Archicentre said energy use is a foundation stone to both the economic and climate change policies of Australia and it is quite clear from the report to the Government last week that major black holes exist in current policies long term. The report showed that whilst houses, lighting and appliances are becoming more efficient, the gains are being outweighed by the trend towards bigger homes with fewer people. The average size of a home is expected grow by 45% by 2020 fuelling the dramatic increase in the use of energy for heating, cooling and lighting. Mr Caulfield said, "the current debate over the solar panel subsidies is side chatter and boundary riding, where the real issue is the establishment of a national sustainable solar manufacturing industry to mass produce an affordable solar panel that can be sold in Australia and exported. "Rebates are not a sustainable answer to the introduction of solar panels nationally," Mr Caulfield said. "Instead of upfront bonuses why not introduce a tax deduction through depreciation to allow the unit to pay for itself over ten years.

"With energy prices rising, such an approach will become more feasible, especially when the systems are linked back into the grid to provide an extra payback."

Mr. Caulfield said that with over 200,000 litres of water falling on the roof of the average home and enough solar energy to power a house five times over also available, the major challenge for all Governments is to fund Roof Research and mass market energy and water saving products.

"Governments should also be investing in solar powered air conditioner research to make a major contribution to lowering Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

"With increasing temperatures due to climate change, Australia needs to be implementing a solar powered air conditioning strategy nationally with the latest existing technology and new technology yet to be developed," Mr Caulfield said.

www.archicentre.com.au
Commercial Inspections; Building Status Reports; House Inspections; Home Renovations; New Home Design Reports;
Pest Inspections; Pre-Purchase Inspections; Structural Reports.