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News - page 1 of 20
Planning meeting done, Now - onto action! - 07/02/2012
Our kickoff planning meeting on Feb 1st went extremely well, with enthusiastic newcomers joining regular contributors to discuss what the group wants to tackle for 2012.
There's some events we've run regularly that will definitely be happening again, such as:
* Earth Hour with some great local acoustic music
* Sustainable House Day
* And of course regular Sustainability Workshops throughout the year.
We'll also be looking at some exciting new projects that are still currently under further planning. For now let's just say one of them involves LOTS of human energy, another involves LOTS of Solar energy, and another involves LOTS of educational energy.
Stay tuned for more info on all of them! |
| Green Your Business, Grow Your Business seminar - 05/02/2012
Green Your Business, Grow Your Business seminar
Tuesday 17th April
2 hours ($20 per participant)
Quest Conference Room 6-8pm
Get greener, save money and tap into new markets
This seminar helps you find ways to run your business more efficiently, save money, reduce your environmental impact and offer better solutions to an increasingly aware market. You can expect to leave this seminar with a clear understanding of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and much more. You will also be armed with a whole host of resources and contacts to help you achieve and expand your green business goals.
Contact Emily McEachern at the Glenelg Shire Council on 5522 2161 to book a spot.
Glenelg Shire Council |
|  Rally to stop the funding of HRL Coal Power Station - 30/01/2012
There is a Rally to stop the funding of the HRL Coal Power Station being held in the Melbourne CBD this on Wednesday the 1st Feb 2012 at 12.30pm. It’s ESSENTIAL that we do all we can to not only reduce our own personal impacts, but to also do what we can to stop things like new coal power stations being built right here in Victoria which has currently been given $100 million taxpayer dollars. It’s crazy!
We also need to do what we can to help stop large areas of farmland in Bacchus Marsh from being open-cut mined and its brown coal shipped off overseas. It’s just as crazy!
So if you’re in Melbs on Wednesday try to get along, and if not then show your support by going to the event’s Facebook page.
Event Facebook Page |
| 2012 PSG Planning Meeting - 04/01/2012
It's almost that time of year again - time for the PSG to fill roles for the coming year.
With a larger than normal turnover of contributors last year, it's also an appropriate time to revisit the group's vision and goals before getting into establishing a series of activities.
There's SO much in the pipeline right now, and so much possible. We just need to work out exactly what to aim for.
The big Kick It Off planning meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Feb 1st at the Portland Arts Centre (formally known as CEMA), located on the corner of Glenelg & Bentinck Streets, Portland.
So please come along – we really do need you! |
|  Great CO2 Race in Portland - 21/10/2011
On Sunday the 23rd October, Glen George will drive his all-electric 1950's MG into Portland as he makes his way around Australia.
Glen will stop in Portland to "fill up" on electricity for the car's batteries, and will do it in a VERY novel way while here - Pacific Hydro will run a regular electrical lead from one of their wind turbines in the Cape Nelson Wind Farm and literally recharge directly from wind energy.
Glen will be available to discuss his journey from 1.30pm on Sunday at Isabella's Cafe at Cape Nelson, so if you'd like to meet Glen please feel free, as he's keen to meet people to talk about what he's doing and why he's doing it.
Check out Glen's site for more info on the car and journey itself
http://www.co2race.net.au/ |
| Portland Solar 2010-2011. Origin news, and all systems installed! - 14/09/2011
A few quick things.
First, we were told today that Origin has changed the way they process contract applications.
From now on Origin will NOT let anyone know if there are any problems with any of the forms submitted to them. That’s the EWR, CES, and/or PFiT application. They’ll simply sit on them and do nothing.
What this means is
• If you are with Origin and you know you are still being processed, it’s fully up to YOU to keep checking that there is nothing wrong. Ring them every single day if you are in this situation, until they confirm you have a PFiT contract.
• If you’re with Origin and aren’t sure, it’s a good idea to call them to confirm. Much better to be safe etc.
• If you are with Origin and know with absolute certainty that you already have a PFiT contract, you’re fine and don’t need to do anything.
• If you’re with anyone else then this does not affect you in any way. Origin is the only retailer to make this change.
And don’t worry too much if you’re in the affected group here – there’s ample time to do any potential corrections as long as any issues are picked up as they occur.
Also - Menzels Electrical today completed the final system on their books for Round 1! And as they were the only company still finishing off Round 1 systems as far as I know, this means that the Portland Solar Project 2010-2011 is fully installed (apart from some smart meters that can happen in October/November)
And now that everyone else in Round 1 is complete, the expansion to my own system is due in the next week or so – I can’t wait!
The last of the certificates for Round 1 are being completed while as many Round 2 systems as possible are being installed before the end of the month (this is strictly first come - first serve).
And as always please let me know if you need help and I’ll see what I can do to get you sorted and PFiTted.
One more thing – I’ll be away on a (long-planned) holiday from the 22nd Sept till the 12th October. Yes that’s spanning the end of the month and I wish it was another time because I wanted to be here to celebrate the official end of the 2010-2011 project! But everything is now under control and the rest of the team will still be available.
Cheers,
Peter Reefman |
| Feed-in Tariff update. Good news for Portland Solar Rnd 1! - 08/09/2011
A meeting between the Victorian Government and energy retailers happened yesterday, and today we were given the results.
At the risk of speaking too early and putting a mozz on it, the meeting between the Govt & retailers went, er - PERFECTLY!
This is the situation
• Now ALL energy retailers are offering Premium Feed-in Tariff (PFiT) contracts as soon as they get the Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) and Electrical Works Request (EWR) forms. Or to put it the other way, now NONE of the retailers require any metering work done before they’ll issue a PFiT contract.
• In fact now ALL you need to have done to qualify for a PFiT contract is for your retailer to have received the CES & EWR forms (which means you have committed to getting a solar system as it is fully fitted).
• And what’s more, ALL retailers will issue PFiT contracts right up until Sept 30th, rather than the Sept 16th date some were beginning to use.
During discussions this afternoon with the Minister’s office and the DPI (who were both very helpful) I was told that this was always the case – but a few of the retailers had simply misinterpreted the system a little...
This meeting and result was achieved because of strong lobbying that we were very much a part of, and it’s great to know that we really can play a meaningful role. So thank you to everyone that phoned, emailed, and/or wrote letters to any of the pollies. Special thanks to David, Kay, and Julie for agreeing to be ‘real world’ examples of how unworkable the situation had become with some retailers.
Thanks also to the Victorian Government (and DPI staff) who organised and successfully negotiated the meeting itself.
Meanwhile, on the install/inspect side of things, Keppel Prince Engineering (KPE) confirmed again today that they and the inspector were on track to have the CES & EWR for every single participant of Round 1 completed and sent to retailers by the goal date of Sept 15th. This mid-month completion goal will allow for any individual system delays to still get the forms in by the end of the month.
Also, Powercor stated today that they’ve started to work on a two shifts per day roster until all metering is complete. This isn’t as critical anymore with the outcomes of the Govt/retailer meeting, but it is still be welcome very news as it means all systems will be able to be switched on a little earlier to get on with the job of creating renewable energy.
So that all sounds like good news doesn’t it?!
What you can do
Happily, things should run a LOT easier now. But mistakes can still happen and documents can still get lost. So remain vigilant and if you feel you’ve been accidently overlooked by KPE, Wayne, or your retailer – Speak up!
Once everything is done and dusted we’ll have to all get together to not only have a celebration, but to also have another look to see if you have the best retailer for your new solar-powered house. We can also talk about the energy monitors discussed awhile ago.
P.S. While things are looking very good for everyone in Round 1, things are quite different beyond that. Some info sessions on getting Solar in a post-PFiT world are in planning, and will be promoted once some dates/venues are confirmed. Basically, it’s now time to start lobbying the State Government for a better TFiT! |
|  Victorian Government Slashes Solar Feed in Tariff - 01/09/2011
A BIG day for Solar in Victoria today – as you may have already seen the news. The Victorian Government announced what’s planned with the Feed-in Tariff.
In short – it will cut by about 60% to become a 25c rate, and this new rate will commence on January 1st, 2012.
Anyone with an existing Premium Feed-in Tariff (PFiT) will not be affected – the announcement confirmed that these contracts will continue till 2024 (as expected).
However – there is a concerning grey area for people currently installing systems. And that is - a cut-off has been set at September 30th for new PFiT contracts, and in-process systems need to be completed by this date.
The grey part is that there is a lack of clarity of EXACTLY what is defined as being a complete system.
What we do know is that the system needs to
• Be fully installed
• Be inspected
• Have completed inspection approval forms which must also be and sent to the owner’s electricity retailer
• Have an agreed Premium Feed-in Tariff contract between the owner and electricity retailer
That much is clear.
What is uncertain is whether a smart meter needs to be fitted, and this may depend on a owner’s choice of electricity retailer. For example, several retailers such as Origin and TRU Energy allow PFiT contracts BEFORE a smart meter is confirmed as fitted & solar capable; while other retailers will NOT issue a PFiT contract until they are satisfied that the house has a solar capable smart meter.
To add to that uncertainty, late today the State Government’s FiT web page was amended to say that while systems should be complete by September 30th, the PFiT 100MW cap will be reached in late November.
This will continue to develop and I’ll be doing as much as possible to get the best information possible, and also lobby the Government for a stronger/better FiT as well.
For more info read
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1856&catid=5&Itemid=9
http://new.dpi.vic.gov.au/energy/sustainable-energy/solar-energy/solar-energy-for-consumers/feed-in-tariffs/feed-in-tariffs-for-solar
What you can do
Now more than ever you NEED to call your electricity retailer and explain your situation. Tell them you have a solar system being fitted in Victoria and you HAVE to have a PREMIUM Feed-in Tariff contract as soon as possible, and ask very clearly if they require your house to have a solar capable smart meter in operation before entering into a contract with you.
If they demand a solar capable smart meter before giving you a PFiT contract, you may be better off switching retailers, as it is likely to be quicker than a potential long delay from Powercor.
You can ALSO get in touch with a Victorian Government politician – as a lot of other people, groups, and companies will be. Remember that most people don’t actually contact pollies, and because of this every person that DOES contact them is seen as equivalent to approximately 300 silent people.
Here’s some links from lobby group reactions
http://www.ata.org.au/news/feed-in-tariff-change-will-hurt-victorian-solar/
http://www.environmentvictoria.org.au/media/slashing-solar-tariff-breaks-election-promise
So once again, here’s the pollie list
• State MP for South-West Coast – Denis Napthine
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/135
• State MP for Lowan - Hugh Delahunty
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/85
• Energy Minister - Michael O’Brien
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/1660
• Premier - Ted Baillieu
http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/id/58
Update on Keppel Prince, etc
• There are 15 systems still being completed
• There are now 158 inspections completed with paperwork returned
• The inspector is expected to be able to finished before September 30th
And finally...
I WILL get more news to help clarify the grey areas and will let you all know as soon as I can. |
|  PSG Winter Slow Food Series - #3 - 27/08/2011
The Third and final PSG Winter Slow Food Series Workshops for 2011 was held in Saturday on with a good crowd at Andrew Clancey's Bahloo Cafe.
The topic was Risottos and Andrew had a million tricks up his sleeve to make food that was a good for us as it was nutritious and sustainable.
Thanks to Cafe Bahloo; The Glenelg Shire Council; Pacific Hydro; Portland YMCA Youth & Community Services; the Portland Sustainability Group; and of course thanks to everyone that attended and took part.
Check out the photos! |
| PSG Bows out of Sustainable House Day - for 2011 - 20/08/2011
We're very sorry to announce we’ve had to pull out of this year’s Sustainable House Day. Reason being all the houses that were to be opened are unfortunately unable to for different reasons, and organisationally there’s been just a bit too much on lately for our small organising committee to try to get some alternatives.
We’ll do everything possible to come back in 2012 with some great houses to open up and demonstrate real-life sustainable-living in action.
By the way there will be houses open in many other part of Australia – so if you’re keen check out the SHD website
Sustainable House Day Website |
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