Talent Alert: Case studies available for interview on Climate Change and Energy Minister's announcement of expanded SRES discount
Climate Media Centre
Wednesday 5 August
For immediate release
In his National Press Club speech today, Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced an expansion to the Federal Government’s solar incentives, which will now apply to larger systems up to 1 megawatt.
This will see a roughly 20% discount on the installed cost of a solar system for businesses, community organisations, farmers, hospitals and schools, that all have huge potential to generate home grown power.
This announcement means that a farmer or manufacturer saves on installing solar panels - then receives huge reductions in electricity bills as they generate power from sunshine.
The Climate Media Centre has energy experts and case studies of farmers, community organisations, business owners and parents working to install solar at schools available for interview.
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or [email protected]
For enquiries after 3pm today, please contact Laura Corrigan on 0423 690 152 or [email protected]
Case studies and experts available for interview
David Stuart, Owner and Managing Director of paint manufacturer, Colormaker Industries Australia
David has electrified Colormaker’s manufacturing with 356 solar panels, a 144kWh ReVolve® solar storage battery, electric fleet vehicles and electric forklift. Any additional power required for his business is sourced from 100% renewables.
Nic Seton, CEO of Parents for Climate
Today’s announcement means schools can save 20% off large installations, to start saving tens of thousands of dollars each year off their bills and slash their climate pollution. Nic can speak to how public schools across Australia can benefit from the expansion of solar incentives.
Jeremy Watson, Owner of Brimbank Veterinary Clinic
Brimbank Veterinary Clinic has a 30kW system and has reaped the benefits as a daytime user of electricity. Jeremy can speak to what the expansion of solar incentives means for businesses.
Stephanie Bashir, Principal at Nexa Advisory
Stephanie can speak to Nexa Advisory’s new report ‘Unlocking the benefits of Commercial and Industrial Rooftop Solar and Batteries’ released today which found that Australia has substantial untapped commercial and industrial consumer energy resources potential that could deliver up to $39.7 billion in annual gross system benefit.
Verity Morgan-Schmidt, CEO of Farmers for Climate Action said:
“Australia’s solar, batteries and hydroelectricity have already helped lower the price of electricity, with the Australian Energy Market Operator cutting the price that retailers are allowed to charge for electricity again this quarter.
“This is a good move aimed at harnessing the sun so that power can be created where it’s being used, whether that’s in industrial estates in the city, or on our farms in the regions.”
Ellen Litchfield, station owner at Marree, South Australia
Maree said:
“Personally, I’d love to see big-scale solar generation in industrial areas in the big cities, where so much electricity is used. This policy really encourages that.
“This discount helps give farmers back some control of our energy costs and drive those costs down.”
Peter Holding, Farmers for Climate Action spokesperson and Harden sheep and cropping farmer said:
“This discount will help farmers’ shed roofs power a lot of farms.
“A good solar system helps shield the farm from those global energy markets we can’t control. War in Ukraine and Iran can’t send your power bill up so much if you’re producing your own power from your own solar and storing it in your own battery. Farmers and industrial businesses have huge areas of roof space and Australia has more sun than any other country – let’s use it.”
Owen Kelly, Program Manager at Footy for Climate
Owen can speak to how expanded access to solar incentives can benefit community organisations such as community sports clubs across the country. Footy for Climate’s program Power Forward installs solar panels, battery storage, and sustainability solutions at community football clubs across Australia.
Simon Campbell, Melbourne father of two said:
"We just installed solar at my daughter's school - with this policy we could have installed double the solar, saving about $20k on the installation and then $30k in electricity bills, every year!"
Simon Campbell is a dad from Melbourne. He volunteered to join his daughter's high school council, and worked hard to support the school to install 100 kilowatts of solar on the roof. If they'd known what we know today, the school could have afforded a 200 kw system and would have enjoyed much larger energy bill savings. The school's solar came online last month, and has already saved $1300 off their energy bills, even during winter. Over the course of the year it will save around $20k in bills, which can then go into paying for other education costs.
Contact details:
To arrange interviews, please contact:
Gabrielle Platt on 0493 442 307 or [email protected]
For enquiries after 3pm today, please contact Laura Corrigan on 0423 690 152 or [email protected]