Industry
Renewable Energy in Australia
During the windy season, the wind energy helps to keep the electricity price lower. The development of wind energy is expanding rapidly. Current major wind power project in Australia is Macarthur Wind Farm in Victoria that will generate 420 MW of power:
The 140 generator units will be built near the shore. More wind farms are under construction and expansion. AGL proposed 6 wind farms with total power of 1275 MW in three states, Queensland, New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia. South Australia has richest wind sources available for power generation. Percentage of wind power production is increasing steady in all of Australia capital cities.
Current major solar power project in Australia is the Mildura Solar Power Concentrator in Victoria that will generate 270 GWh per year: http://www.energymatters.com.au/index.php?main_page=news_article&article_id=1978
There is significant potential for solar energy in northern parts of Australia. Various types of solar arrays have been installed for small country town over the last ten years.
Australian power demand for is 240 TWh per year. This figure does not include the amount of energy consumed by vehicles. Power consumption will rise due to increase in population and more extensive use of technology:
http://www.indexmundi.com/g/g.aspx?c=as&v=79
Australia government encourages households and organisation to install solar systems by providing financial support. Programs available include:
- solar hot water program for households,
- National Solar Schools.
Links
"Module Costs
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In addition, it is important to validate that the module purchased has been brought into the country legally and uses a valid serial number system so that STCs can be claimed and traced (if STCs are applicable)”, Page 6, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au
“Replacing A Faulty Inverter
Take advice from the suppliers but ultimately the person signing the replacement off will be legally responsible if something goes wrong.”, Page 10, The Inverter Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au
"AS/NZ 5033 Clauses and Maintenance
documentation - a maintenance schedule and recommended maintenance required must be left with the customer - 5.7Appendix C outlines the maintenance that may be required;a) bolts on tilt frames, mid and end clamps are in place and tightb) vermin - has any cabling been distributed or damaged?c) do the isolators still work, IP rating not affected?d) conduit and fitting - are these still in good order?e) panels - are these clean, undamaged and working? (hail can be an issue)f) verify the Voc and Isc and check it is what is expectedg) labels - are they still in place and legible?h) have there been modifications to the building which would now inhibit the panels?i) have trees grown which now shade the system?j) are there fans or filters that need checking or cleaningk) string fuses - check terminals and verify they haven't blown. Are they right type and curve?l) MC4 connections - is there evidence of arching?m) 'hot spots'? use an infra-red cameratable C1 outlines the periods for this maintenance", Page 11-12, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au"AS/NZS 4777.1 Clauses and MaintenanceThe ACT Government introduced a requirement for testing of the AS/NZS 4777.2 'Anti-Islanding' function of the inverter. An accredited installer has to check this every five years and sign off on its functionality. Ausnet in Victoria also recommended this be done every year. If the DNSPs are concerned about this perhaps you should be as well.Appendix D suggests a maintenance Schedulea) verify 60-second start up and/or ramp upb) verify that the DNSP network parameters (if set) are still in place - see 3.4.4c) central protection, phase balancing and export limiting - is it working as required?d) verify two-second shutdowne) verify connections are sound and not damagedf) earth fault alarm, emails and messages are these still current?g) check earthing including earth stakes - the inverter can affect this due to a DC current being injected onto the AC cablingh) LGCs - verify that the readings for the CER have been made and submittedi) check for polarised isolators and replacej) isolator terminals are the correct torque - use a torque screw driverk) if using an RCD on the output of the inverter test it (the RCD has to be a particular type, not an AC type)", Page 12, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au"AS/NZS 4509 And ASNZ 4086 Clauses and MaintenanceBatteries and generators and other turbines: now we really have our work cut out for ourselves. Whether on or off-grid, these add another dimension to the maintenance requirements. While too extensive to list, here is where you would find some of the information.Appendix A - 4509 Part 1Generators - follow the recommended procedures from the manufacturerSection 3 - 4082 Part 2", Page 12, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au"Tips For Installersinstall off-site monitoring if possible and look at your customer's systemsdevelop a procedure for maintenance and allow for it in your quotesconsider maintenance as just part of your job and not some other person's responsibilitywith off-grid jobs this is particularly important - allow a six month maintenance visityour customers will appreciate your efforts and you are less likely to have problems later on", Page 12, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au"Product And Performance WarrantiesInstallers often think that the panels they are installing have a 25-year warranty. This may not be the case - they have 25-year (or possibly longer) performance warranty. This means that the panel will reduce in a tiered manner over the 25-years (e.g. by the 25th year the panel might be producing 80 % of its original stated output).The other warranty provided is a product warranty. This is usually 10-15 years and covers faulty materials and workmanship on the part of the manufacturer.There seems to be some tension between these two warranties; if a panel fails at 16 years it isn't meeting its performance expectations. Australian consumer laws support the notion that these panels are probably rated at 25-years, despite what manufactures might want you to think about their 10-15 year product warranty. These fall under the term 'express warranties'.", Page 13, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au"Exclusion To WarrantiesGenerally, the following applied:non-compliant installation practises - placing the panels upside down (unless the manufacturer states you can) or perhaps walking on the panelshandling during transport - you throw the panels on top of each other in the back of your utenegligence during storage - the panels fall over in your workshopremoval from original installation - there is no warranty for a second re-locationweather - for example, the panels being installed on the roof blow off in a storm (force majeure). Other examples are vandalism, accidental breakage or lighting", Page 14, The Solar Panel Pocket Guide, Ecogeneration, http://ecogeneration.com.au
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