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Clean Energy Australia
When sunshine energy is turned into electricity, solar power is created. Solar energy can heat air, water, and other liquids. There are two types of solar energy technologies; concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV). Solar photovoltaic technology uses photovoltaic cells to turn sunlight into electricity.
The transformation of solar radiation to heat energy is the other form of solar thermal power known as concentrating solar thermal power. You can combine solar thermal and photovoltaic technology to create one system that provides both energy and heat.
How Much Sun Does Australia Receive?
Australia receives 57 million PJ in solar radiation annually, which is around 10,000 times its entire energy usage. On the other hand, solar energy is currently underutilised in Australia, accounting for only approximately 0.1 per cent of primary energy consumption. Solar thermal water warming is the most prevalent application of solar energy.
Off-grid power generation in distant places relies heavily on solar PV equipment. According to the Australian energy statistics for electricity generation for 2021, renewable electricity energy in Australia was 24%, up from 21% in 2019. The Australian Parliament enacted the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Bill of 2015 in June 2015.
The large-scale renewable energy target was cut from 41 000 GWh to 33 000 GWh in 2020 as part of the amendment bill, with interim and post-2020 targets altered appropriately. The Australian continent receives the most solar radiation for every square metre of any other continent, making it one of the world's top solar energy resources.
The arid regions of the northwest and centre of the continent receive the most solar radiation. The Australian Energy Resource Assessment outlines Australia's power resources, such as solar power resources, and the factors influencing their growth and acceptance until 2030.
Incentives To Adopt Solar Energy In Australia
The Australian government has been instrumental in the development of clean solar energy. Several states have implemented feed-in tariffs to enhance the amount of solar PV electricity produced. There are still considerable incentives in place and strategies to maximise your savings and possibly profit from solar.
The government's Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) is another important policy that has increased the use of solar energy. The MRET compels wholesale power purchasers to acquire Renewable Energy Certificates generated by electricity generation from renewable sources, such as solar thermal and solar PV.
This has boosted the utilisation of solar renewable energy and the revenue generated by this technology. The availability of a subsidy fund has also been a significant motivator to adopt solar energy. This money is primarily going to solar projects that generate coal-fired power. The operators must provide additional funds to this subsidy.
Furthermore, through the construction of solar panels, the Solar Credits Program increased solar energy usage in both houses and various communal use buildings, including schools and hospitals. In general, the Australian continent offers the best climatic conditions for using solar energy, and there is more potential to harness this efficient and environmentally benign energy source.
The Use Of Solar Energy In Australia
Solar electricity
This has become one of the primary solar energy uses in recent years. Solar energy is becoming more accessible as solar panel costs fall and more consumers grow aware of solar energy's economic and environmental advantages. Typically, a distributed PV solar system is built on the roofs of homes or enterprises.
These solar energy systems create enough electricity to cover the property owner's needs while also sending any surplus to the grid. A solar battery is connected to your solar energy system to allow you to use solar electricity after the sun has set, charge an electric vehicle overnight, or offer backup power in an emergency. With a solar system, some households may be able to go entirely off-grid.
Solar water heating
You can also use solar energy in water heating systems. The majority of solar water heating systems provide hot water that is used within the residence. Solar water heaters collect the sun's heat and transmit it via a rooftop solar cell to the water reservoir. According to some statistics, solar water heaters have a five or ten-year payback period.
Solar energy is also used to heat swimming pools, which is common in South Australia. The water is routed to a collector and then piped back into a pool after being heated by sunlight.
Solar ventilation
Solar ventilation options, like solar attic fans, can help to cool your house throughout the summer, reducing the load on your HVAC system. If you cannot install a PV solar system that will offset your entire home's electricity demand, this may be a viable solution.
Solar ventilation solutions, which may preheat a building's air in cold areas and save energy expenditures, are examples of industrial and commercial uses of solar process heat.
Solar lighting
Solar lights are becoming commonplace, with applications ranging from home landscaping to security lighting to road signs and street lights. From your hardware store to internet shopping portals like Amazon.com, these solar lighting systems for your house are inexpensive and widely available in simple to high-end designs.
Solar space heating
A solar space heating system is commonly used to power radiant floors or to heat a residence in combination with a Forced Hot Air (FHA) system. By considering the positioning of windows and the materials employed in the construction, passive solar housing design can help heat businesses and homes in the winter.
Many people are not aware that various solar water heaters and solar space heaters are cost-effective solutions to heat a home without having to invest in solar panels. Solar space heaters employ liquid as a medium to convert sunlight into thermal energy, whereas solar water heaters make use of water as a thermal transfer media.
Solar heating systems can either be passive or active; passive systems employ natural circulation, whilst active systems circulate water and also generate heat using pumps. With a system that costs a tenth of what a full solar installation costs, homes which install a thermal solar array atop their roof can expect 5 to 10% returns.
Solar transportation
Solar-powered cars may be the way of the future, with buses, trains, planes, or race cars developed by innovative students in America and Australia as examples. In 2019, an entirely solar-powered car will be available for purchase. Unless you possess an electric vehicle and charge it using solar panels or a solar-connected battery, this use of solar energy is not currently widely available.
Why Is Solar Power On The Rise In Australia?
There is a pressing global need to transition away from the use of fossil fuels and toward cleaner, greener energy sources such as solar power. Large and small enterprises in Australia are being pushed to invest in solar PV technology by initiatives like the Renewable Energy Target and the Clean Energy Initiative's Solar Flagship Program.
Homeowners are also contributing by investing in solar energy for their residences. PV solar technology has been used in distant places with limited grid connectivity for many years. Even in heavily populated metropolitan regions, solar technology meant for household rooftops is gaining popularity.
According to recent statistics, almost two million Australian residences have rooftop solar power systems. This equates to roughly 20% of all households.
Technological advancements
Nowadays, solar panels used on housing rooftops are efficient and appealing, thanks to research groups like ARENA. Innovative energy tools are also included with rooftop systems. These technologies allow you comprehensive control over your power needs by monitoring the generation and the use of solar panel power.
Financial advantages
Solar power will save you costs in the long run if you invest today. The cost of energy is rising, and this trend is set to continue. You may save dollars on energy costs and make cash selling your excess power by switching to solar electricity.
It works like this: after you're linked to the grid, any excess energy generated by your panels must be credited to you. A solar feed-in tariff is what this is called. The Australian state also provides renewable energy rebates and incentives to help install rooftop solar panels.
Environmental benefits
Last but not least, solar energy minimises your carbon footprint as well as that of your country. Currently, 60 per cent of Australia's energy needs are met by non-sustainable energy sources such as fossil fuels. Using your solar energy source to generate and use energy greatly decreases your household's environmental effect. There's no such thing as a bad thing!
A Solar-Energised Future
Renewable energy in Australia is already becoming a more common part of our daily lives. Technology will continue to push new applications of solar power technologies that will improve your everyday life and help power a greener world. How many additional solar energy applications will then exist in the coming years? We can't wait to find out! Has this article helped answer your question? If not, please reach out to a professional solar service in your area and find out more.
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