Media release
EMBARGO for 14 April 2010
14 April 2010
83% of Australians believe new houses should have in-built solar power systems,
according to new research
In new research* released today by SilexSolar, the only significant Australian-owned Australia-based manufacturer
of solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and panels, and conducted by Galaxy Research, 83% of Australian homeowners
indicated they believe all new houses should have in-built solar power systems by 2015.
“This supports our belief that state and local government should ensure building codes mandate installations of
solar PV power in all new homes and offices,” said Dr Michael Goldsworthy, CEO of SilexSolar, which will be
officially launched today by The Hon. Ian Macdonald MP, Minister for State and Regional Development.
“And whilst the cost of solar is projected to reach grid parity by around 2013 according to the Clean Energy Council,
it is critical that governments close the financial gap for consumers and industry with best practice Feed-in Tariffs,
similar to what the NSW Government is providing for consumers,” continued Dr Goldsworthy.
“But Feed-in Tariffs are not just important for consumers. They have the potential to make an even greater
difference to society’s greenhouse gas emissions when applied to commercial and industrial developments. Solar is
a peak load power provider and it is during the day when peak load occurs, so the two are perfectly matched.
“By having Feed-in Tariffs in place, governments can help reduce the need for new power stations being built and
give the solar industry the kick start it needs to make solar Australians’ default power source.
“One of the major attractions of Feed-in Tariffs is that they allow domestic consumers to make money by
contributing power to the grid from their own solar power systems,” said Dr Goldsworthy. “An average Sydney
home can generate around $1,250 of revenue each year from a 1.5kW solar system. This makes the pay-back time
for a typical domestic solar power system less than three years.
“The pay-back time for domestic solar power systems will continue to decrease, as IPART (the Independent Pricing
&
Regulatory Tribunal) anticipates electricity price increases of up to 64% by 2013 in NSW alone as a result of
distribution network upgrade costs and the impact of a CPRS-style scheme. And even if the CPRS does not come to
fruition as proposed, IPART still anticipates electricity price increases around 45% in NSW. This is a situation that has
parallels across the country.”
A significant benefit of the launch of the Australian-owned and Australia-based SilexSolar is that it provides a
pipeline for Australian IP to be commercialised locally, rather than it going overseas as has happened in the past.
“Retention of Australian IP within Australia benefits the entire Australian economy and the development of solar
power industry, as well as providing a local career path for our scientists,” said Dr Goldsworthy.
“Retaining our ingenuity and IP must be a priority for Australia and is an area ripe for a reinvigorated approach to
be taken,” continued Dr Goldsworthy. “This is crucial if Australia to become a leader in solar power. The best
support the Federal Government can give is in encouraging development and retention of solar power IP here in
Australia through financial support and initiatives, as it is doing through the Solar Flagships program.”
SilexSolar has saved Australia’s only local solar panel manufacturing plant from shutting down, its parent company,
Silex Systems, has rescued a peak demand 150 plus MW solar power demonstration power plant in Victoria from
being abandoned and it is a clearly credible bidder for funding through the Federal Government’s Solar Flagships
program.
“Australia has a wonderful opportunity to be a world leader in solar technology which will benefit all Australians.
The Australian solar power industry grew 366% in 2009 and the solar PV industry is expected to generate more than
USD$40 billion worldwide this year.
“In Australia, SilexSolar is the company that will drive the growth needed to bring the industry to the point of
critical mass where it does not need government assistance and where solar becomes standard for Australian
business and the entire community.”
[*A national study of Australian homeowners by Galaxy Research weighted to the latest ABS population figures,
with a sample of 1,274, conducted in April 2010, determined that 83% said that they either ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’
believe that by 2015 all new Australian houses should have in-built solar power systems.]
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Ends -
Media contacts for interviews, photos and to attend today’s launch at Sydney Olympic Park, Homebush, Sydney:
Karen O’Grady
02 9377 1125 + 0406 503 323 + karen.ogrady@bitecommunications.com
Craig Pearce:
02 9377 1104 + 0438 003 430 + craig@bluegrass.com.au
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