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While photovoltaic generated electricity remains politically controversial in some parts of the world, for Tokelau, it will provide a cost-effective and environmentally sound solution for the entire territory in the coming months.

Tokelau comprises three atolls in the South Pacific. Photovoltaic arrays have currently been installed on one island, and the installation of another two systems are scheduled to be complete by this October. Overall, 4,032 modules, 392 inverters and 1,344 batteries will provide electricity supply for the island. The first system on the atoll Fakaofo will be switched on in two weeks.

New Zealand solar company, Powersmart is supplying and installing the project. Due to the island locations of the installations, they will have to be able to withstand cyclone force winds up to 230 km/h.

Previously Tokelau relied entirely on expensive diesel to provide electricity between 15 and 18 hours a day. The territory has a population of 1,500 people across a combined land area of 10 square kilometers. Around 200 liters of fuel were previously burned for electricity daily. This required around 2,000 barrels to be shipped from New Zealand at a cost of NZD1 million (US$810,000) a year.

Powersmart director, Mike Bassett-Smith said the solution on Tokelau can be an example across the South Pacific. “Energy costs underpin the economic and social development of these nations and making a positive impact on these issues is the single most important reason we started this business.”

The company claims the project is the largest off-grid solar power project in the world and the largest solar system in the South Pacific. Coconut-oil fired generators will provide backup capacity for cloudy days.

The Tokelau project has come at a cost of NZD7.5 million (US$6.11 million) and was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Even at today’s diesel prices, the array will have paid for itself in less than a decade.

The change is being welcomed by the Tokelauan community. “It’s going to be an amazing change from using fossil fuel,” says Foua Toloa. “It avoids expenses, but also bringing them there, it’s dangerous and any spill will affect the environment.”

After testing is complete on Fakaofo, work will commence on the remaining atolls of Atafu and Nukunon.

Originally published on PV Magazine.

 

By Rhone Resch, President & CEO – Solar Energy Industries Association
Consistent, stable policies have been a staple for all energy development in the United States for over a century now, opening new markets and facilitating economic growth and job creation across the country. For solar energy, that has meant 5,600 companies employing over 100,000 Americans in all 50 states. Solar is following a similar incentive-driven path to the mainstream as other energy sectors such as coal, natural gas, and nuclear – but only if the stable federal policies that have opened new markets across the U.S. are maintained. That’s according to a recent report from the University of Tennessee Howard H. Baker, Jr. Center for Public Policy.

According to the report, all energy technologies typically require about 30 years to achieve widespread adoption and stable incentives are critical throughout this adoption period – for both fossil and renewable sources of energy. Direct federal support has removed market barriers, encouraged private investment and enabled energy technologies to reach maturity.

Thanks to stable policies at the federal level – most importantly the solar investment tax credit – and policies at the state level aimed at opening new markets, solar energy is on a similar but accelerated trajectory toward widespread adoption.

The Baker Center report provides good historical context for the policymakers in Washington that drive our national energy policy. Developing America’s abundant renewable energy resources – including solar – is consistent with an energy policy that aims to create jobs, promote innovation and investment, and diversify our national energy portfolio. It will be consistent federal policy, like those enjoyed for decades by traditional energy sources, that allows solar and other renewables to continue on their current path toward widespread adoption.

Without consistent policy, Washington risks relegating renewable energy to a perpetual boom/bust cycle – and losing all of the benefits of an all-of-the-above energy portfolio that these rapidly growing industries are contributing to.

David Cameron has been urged to stand up for renewable energyagainst what environmental campaigners see as attacks by the Treasury.

More than 170 green businesses signed a letter to the prime minister, drafted by the Renewable Energy Association, calling for a public declaration of support for green energy and a resolution of the uncertainty that surrounds government plans for renewable power subsidies.

The signatories include Frances O’Grady, deputy secretary general of the TUC, Sir Tim Smit of the Eden Project, and Penny Shepherd, chief executive of the Sustainable Investment and Finance Association of investors, as well as veteran green campaigners Jonathon Porritt and Tony Juniper, adviser to Prince Charles.

They are worried that recent government U-turns on support for renewables are putting off much-needed investment in the sector. They point to the recent decision on future subsidies, which was long delayed and left significant issues unresolved so creating uncertainty for investors. For instance, although offshore wind subsidies are now clear until 2017, those for onshore wind face another review, and solar subsidies are likely to be reviewed again next year. This was confusing and scaring off financial backers for renewable energy projects, they said.

The letter to Cameron invoked the Olympic spirit. It : “We urgently need you to deliver a united ‘Team GB’ effort to secure the UK’s place as a world leader in green skilled jobs and technology. Massive investment in renewable energy is taking place across Europe and Asia and the UK cannot afford to miss out – neither can we afford to miss our carbon targets.”

Martin Wright, chairman of the Renewable Energy Association, said: “Renewables must not be treated like a political football, kicked between the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Treasury. Government shouldn’t squander this once in a generation opportunity to transform our energy system into one fit for the future, with all the jobs and inward investment this will bring.”

The signatories also referred to recent high-profile rows within the cabinet over the future of renewables. Aides to chancellor George Osborne have been briefing heavily that he wants to see more investment in gas-fired power generation, even though it is a fossil fuel with a highly volatile price.

The high cost of gas has been the biggest factor behind energy price rises in recent years, according to the government’s analysis. But Osborne believes that potential investors in gas will be put off by support for renewables – even though more than 10GW of new gas-fired generation is already in the advanced stages of planning or, in some cases, construction.

In a speech to potential overseas investors in UK energy on Tuesday, the chancellor failed to mention green energy at all, but praised oil and gas, pledging that gas would continue to be the UK’s biggest source of energy into the 2020s and beyond. He said: “There is no better example of the significant contribution that [the energy] sector makes to our economy than the UK oil and gas industry. This has long been one of our great industrial success stories.”

Originally published on The Guardian.

A recent survey by the Climate Institute found 81 per cent of respondents placed solar power within their top three preferred energy options and two-thirds placed coal in their least preferred three.

Climate of the Nation 2012 measures Australian attitudes to climate change, related policies and solutions in mid-2012.

A couple of things are clear from the survey according to the Climate Institute: “Australians are sick of the politics and scared about rising costs of living”.

Clear also is Australians’ passion for solar energy. While solar was among the top three energy options for 81 per cent of respondents, wind was the second most preferred option with 59 per cent and hydro, 44 per cent.

Solar power was the most popular energy choice in all states, with the highest number of most preferred votes in Western Australia (88 per cent), followed by South Australia, Queensland and Victoria (each at 82 per cent), and New South Wales (75 per cent).

While  28 per cent placed gas within the top three most preferred sources, for 31 per cent it was slung in the three least preferred energy options.

Two-thirds placed coal in their least preferred three, just a whisker more than nuclear at 64 per cent.

76 per cent of respondents stated increasing the amount of renewable energy in Australia’s energy mix was the most effective greenhouse gas emission reduction policy.

“..Australians’ vision for a low-carbon future is one that taps into the nation’s abundant renewable energy resource,” said John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute.

The Climate Institute has conducted comprehensive quantitative and qualitative research into Australian attitudes to climate change and its solutions since 2007.

The latest survey was carried out among 1,131 Australian adults.

 

Originally published on EcoBusiness.com.