Power Router, made in the Netherlands, is the premier piece of technology for Solar PV.

With the PowerRouter, the generated power can either be exported to the grid or used within your own household. The S Series, is a Solar Only Inverter with the additional feature of black out protection. A dedicated GPO/UPS is installed to allow power to be used from the solar panels even when the grid is down. The another key feature to this unit is that you can “Connect & Grow” With the connect & grow capability, the PowerRouter Solar Inverter can easily be expanded by adding the intelligent Battery Manager. The expansion unit enables you to store solar energy that cannot be used immediately in batteries for use at a later time. The stored energy can also be used as a backup supply during power outages.

The other key feature is the  integrated, web-based logging which allows you to remotely monitor and manage your power production & consumption.

This inverter allows you to optimize the use of self-generated energy.

• available in 5.0kW, 3.7kW and 3.0kW versions
• compatible with all modern PV technologies, including thin film
• 2 fully independent MPP trackers (except 3.0 kW version)
• easy installation (plug & play)
• monitoring and management via integrated internet connection

For more information about these inverters Click Here

Call Us – The Green Power Company

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Leader of the Greens Senator Christine Milne said that “It seems incredible that the government wants to bring forward harm to renewable energy industries but, delay cost impacts to fossil fuel polluters.”

“It is gold-plating of energy networks that is driving up power bills – not green schemes – and the government has caved into lobbying by the electricity retailers and fossil fuel generators to do something which will have almost no impact on electricity bills.”

In a statement by Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh, “The costs of supporting schemes for solar have been overstated.”

“Just last week the Climate Change Authority revealed that the cost of incentives for small-scale solar (through the Renewable Energy Target) were less than 2 per cent of retail electricity bills. This small cost has delivered both solar panels and solar hot water to over a million Australian homes and helped protect them from rising energy bills.”

So why the decision to bring the end date forward while the government is in the middle of a Review of the Renewable Energy Target. Giles Parkinson from reneweconomy.com.au notes in an article “intense public lobbying from utilities and generators, particularly Origin Energy, which blamed the blowout in costs from the rooftop solar scheme for a downgrade in its earnings this week.”

Solar Power and other renewable energy’s such as wind seems to be a real threat to the traditional business model of the Large Utility and Power Generators in Australia. Could the traditional coal-fired power generators be worried about the “Merit Order Effect” which lowers the value of the power they generate. A study by the Melbourne Energy Institute seems to suggest that “In Australia, this prospect has been recognized in concern expressed by some coal-fired generators that delivering too much renewable generation would reduce wholesale electricity prices. ” sounds to like the government should be encouraging more renewable energy solutions to put downward pressure on electricity prices but would the retailers pass on the savings?

Here is a good article that talks about some of the myths surrounding solar and other renewable forms of energy. Renewable Energy Myths

Also here a good link to an explanation and breakdown of the cost of your electricity bills from the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism Electricity Fact Sheet

Article By: Mato Conjar

I understand all views are my own and not necessarily those of The Green Power Company and its employees

Source:
Clean Energy Council
SMH
Renew Economy
Crikey
Melbourne Energy Institute

The post Solar Power Rebate Changes appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

On one side, we have global investment in renewable technologies (particularly wind and solar) leading the charge – for the last 3 years it has exceeded investment in generation from fossil fuels. Last year, fully 70% of European investment was in renewables.

Leading this charge is Germany, whose national “energy transition” will reduce emissions by 40% by 2020 and by 80% by 2050 without use of nuclear power – using renewables and energy efficiency alone. Meanwhile, China has become the world’s largest producer of both wind and solar power. In California, South Korea and Australia new emissions-trading schemes have recently put a price on carbon.

But on the other side of the trench, we still are fighting an enemy. More coal – the dirtiest fossil fuel – was used to produce electricity last year than for 40 years. As the International Energy Agency warned this month, this is driving up global carbon emissions, which rose by an alarming 3% in 2011. Coal burning now represents almost a third of all power generation; it is rising even in Europe, as the economic slump slashes the carbon price. And there is more to come: the World Resources Institute reports that globally no fewer than 1,200 new coal plants are currently proposed, two-thirds of them in India and China. Meanwhile, Canada leads the countries exploiting highly carbon-polluting tar sands, and the oil majors eye up the Arctic for new oil.

Whats the cost of this battle? – If the world is to limit global warming to 2C, it must keep greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to under 450 parts per million. We are currently at 392, and rising fast. To have a good (80%) chance of staying within the 2C limit, that means the world can emit only another 565 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide. But global fossil fuel reserves are much bigger than that, equivalent to 2,795 gigatonnes, or five times the safe amount. In other words, we can only avoid devastating climate change if we keep most of the world’s fossil fuels, including almost all of its coal, in the ground.

Can this battle be won? – The stone age did not end because we ran out of stone. We know how to produce energy without carbon emissions – through renewables, geothermal and nuclear power and much greater energy efficiency. The variable supply of renewables needs to be overcome through interconnected smart grids that ensure that electricity can flow from wherever it is being generated to wherever it is needed, with demand adjusted to supply. Gas (the least emitting fossil fuel) can provide baseload capacity, as long as it is located where carbon capture and storage technology can in due course be applied.

Creating a decarbonised energy system of this kind will not be cheap. But there is no energy future that is cheap. And war will always have a high price tag.

The post The Energy Battle – When Two Sides go to war appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

In a recently published article by Giles Parkinson at reneweconomy.com.au, he argues
“Rooftop solar PV poses a greater threat to the business models of the utilities because it gets behind the meter. This means that, unlike the boom in air conditioners in recent years, rooftop solar PV reduces demand on the network rather than adds to it. The business models of all generators, distributors and retailers have long been based around the unwavering assumption of growing demand. They are simply not able to deal with the absence of growth – and for this reason, rooftop solar PV is likely to have an even greater impact on their business models”

So it would seem that power independence could be the straw that breaks the carbon’s atom. In many ways, people who install solar power for their own usage should be seeing greater benefits in their quarterly bills – instead the uptake of solar is being seen as one of the factors behind the rise in electricity prices, the utilities are stating it is, along with large scale renewable projects, contributing to the decline in wholesale electricity prices (profit?)

Funny how there was hardly a ripple of acknowledgement from the mostly foreign owned utilities when the Energy White Paper revealed some truths:
“The Energy White Paper pointed out, each 1.5kW air conditioner adds $7,000 to the cost of the network. A home installing three such machines requires $20,000 of added infrastructure – paid for by other users, including those who don’t have air-con. It was estimated in the Energy White Paper that customers who don’t have air conditioners are paying $400 a year to subsidise the use of air-conditioners by the majority”

And now solar is putting their profit under fire?
The Government’s decision to reduce the solar power scheme early can be seen as pandering to the utility companies somewhat. Sure the paradigm shift was never meant to be 100% smooth, but at the moment we have the utilities dragging their feet and kicking up a fuss over roof top solar – proposing higher fixed charges, refusing connections, and lobbying intensely for a reduction in rooftop solar incentives.

Generating power behind the meter should be held in esteem, not something to be penalised over, and no guilt should be felt that we are reducing wholesale pricing in an industry that is slow in changing.

Electrical independence, even if partial, should be a tax deductable honour (or equivalent solar scheme credited), and should be praised by our Government as a citizens duty to the future.

By Matt Davidson

I understand all views are my own and not necessarily those of The Green Power Company and its employees

The post The Futility Of The Utilities appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

The transitional Feed-in Tariff is closing to new customers.

This tariff offers eligible properties with small scale solar PV systems of five kilowatts or less a minimum credit of 25 cents per kilowatt hour for excess electricity fed back into the grid. This solar power cost rate is slightly higher than the average retail rate consumers pay for electricity.

To be considered for the transitional Feed-in Tariff, you must submit all paperwork by 30 September 2012. Conditions apply. Read more about the closure for new customers below.

Once signed up for the transitional Feed-in Tariff and receiving credits, you will be able to access these solar power cost rates until 31 December 2016, provided you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

If you do not qualify in time for the transitional Feed-in Tariff, you will be able to apply for the reduced standard Feed-in Tariff, of 8 cents per kilowatt hour. This is based on the wholesale rate of solar power, will be available to eligible premises producing sustainable electricity from a range of sources, with the addition of new technologies expected in early 2013.

All Victorian electricity retailers with more than 5,000 customers must offer the transitional Feed-in Tariff, but they may offer different packages and terms and conditions. The scheme replaced the premium Feed-in Tariff which closed to new customers in 2011.

Transitional Feed-in Tariff solar power cost closure

To be considered, for the transitional Feed-in Tariff you must have your solar PV system fully-installed, signed-off by a licensed electrical inspector and have submitted all paperwork to your electricity suppliers by 30 September 2012.

Paperwork includes:

• Solar connection form (to your electricity distributor).
• Electrical works request (to your electricity retailer).
• Certificate of electrical safety (to your electricity retailer).
• Transitional Feed-in Tariff application form (to your electricity retailer).

It can take several weeks to complete these steps. You should confirm conditions and timelines in any written contracts and follow-up with your solar power installer and electricity suppliers if you notice delays.

Double-check that all forms are accurate and all mandatory fields are complete. If possible, email the forms so you have a record of submission and retain a copy of all documents for your files.

Once paperwork is submitted, to complete the eligibility process you will also need to have your metering upgraded and have Feed-in Tariff credits being applied to your account by 31 December 2012.

Eligibility

The transitional Feed-in Tariff solar power cost is available to households, community organisations and small businesses. To be considered for the transitional Feed-in Tariff, you must:

• Have a solar PV system no greater than five kilowatts in size.
• Be claiming for your principal place of residence (if you are a household).
• Consume 100 megawatt hours or less of electricity per year (if you are a small business or community organisation).
• Claim only one solar PV system per site (if you are a small business or community organisation operating across multiple sites, you can claim for one system per site).
• Have bi-directional metering in place that measures two-way electricity flows and records them on a half hourly basis.

If your solar system capacity is greater than five kilowatts you could instead be eligible for the standard Feed-in Tariff.

Existing customers

Eligible premises with an effective transitional Feed-in Tariff contract in place will continue to receive this solar power cost rate until 31 December 2016, provided they remain eligible.

To have an effective contract you need to have solar panels fitted, the correct meter installed and be feeding electricity back to the grid by 31 December 2012.

Switching electricity companies

You are able to switch electricity companies or contracts and continue to receive the transitional solar power cost rate once you have established your eligibility. Before switching, check if there are any exit fees under your existing contract.

Moving house

The transitional rate is linked to the property where the solar panels are installed, so when moving house a customer cannot take the transitional Feed-in Tariff with them. Similarly, any house which is signed up to the transitional Feed-in Tariff solar power cost rate will remain eligible until 2016, even if it is sold and new residents move in.

Adding new solar panels

You will become ineligible to continue receiving the transitional solar power cost rate if you add additional solar panels, boosting your generating capacity after scheme closure. This is because the scheme was designed with a cap on the total installed capacity of solar panels across the state

If you have an oversized solar inverter (for example a four kilowatt solar inverter with 1.5 kilowatts of solar panels) you will still forfeit your access to the transitional rate if you upgrade your existing generation capacity after scheme closure.

You can replace existing solar panels for maintenance reasons, for example, due to storm damage, without losing the transitional Feed-in Tariff solar power cost. You just need to make sure the replacement does not exceed the original generating capacity of your system.

If you would like to install additional solar panels and forfeit your transitional solar power cost rate of 25 cents, you may instead be eligible to apply for the new standard Feed-in Tariff, of 8 cents.

The post Victorian Feed-In Tariff Solar Power Cost appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

John Grimes from The Australian Solar Energy Society at the announcement today in Canberra, ACT.

The Australian Solar Council has welcomed today’s announcement by the ACT Government, of Australia’s largest solar power station in Canberra.

“This is a landmark day for Big Solar in Australia”, said John Grimes, Chief Executive of the Australian Solar Council.

“Australia’s clean energy future has arrived in Canberra. Today’s announcement of 20 megawatts of Big Solar in the ACT is a taste of what is to come. Solar power is increasingly taking on coal-fired power on price.”

“Already household solar is reducing demand for power from the National Energy Market. Now it is also becoming increasingly cost competitive with polluting power at an industrial scale. The ACT solar power station will be delivered at just 18.6 cents per kilowatt hour.”

“The ACT Government’s reverse solar auction provides a model for all Australian Governments to quickly build large-scale solar power plants around the country.”

“The reverse solar auction is an innovative way of driving investment in Big Solar. It requires solar companies to demonstrate how they can deliver zero pollution, large-scale solar at least cost to taxpayers, and no funds are spent until power is actually generated.”

“The Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson, has today reminded us there is no need for new baseload power stations to be built in the National Electricity Market for the next decade.”

“Big solar power plants will increasingly meet Australia’s peak power energy needs, and today’s announcement by the ACT Government is a window into Australia’s solar future.”

The Australian Solar Council congratulates FRV for winning the solar auction, and looks forward to watching Australia’s newest solar power plant being built over the next two years.”

“The Australian Solar Council also congratulates the ACT Government for their national leadership in delivering Big Solar at low cost and at breakneck speed.”

Warm Regards,
John Grimes

Source: The Australian Solar Energy Society

The post Big Solar Power A Big Deal In The ACT And Beyond appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

Light striking a silicon semiconductor causes electrons to flow, creating electricity. Generating systems take advantage of this property to convert sunlight directly into electrical energy. Solar panels produce direct current (DC), which goes through a power inverter to become alternating current (AC) — electricity that we can use in the home or office, like that supplied by a utility solar power company. Electricity generated during the daytime can be used right away, and in some cases surplus electricity can be sold to the utility power company. If the system doesn’t generate enough electricity, or generates none at all (for example, on a cloudy or rainy day, or at night) electricity is purchased from the utility solar power company.

Solar Power Companies We Trust

Kyocera

Kyocera began research into solar power technology in 1973, when the first world oil crisis motivated them to find a future source of renewable energy. For more than three decades they have continued to supply solar products across the globe. Even the first solar panels they developed and installed are still working today — demonstrating the long-term reliability of Kyocera’s multicrystalline silicon solar cells. Kyocera has developed a global business network through which it promotes the installation and use of generating systems to help solve growing energy needs and the problem of environmental damage.

The Kyocera Group is made up of 212 companies, accounting for more than 60,000 employees. In fiscal year 2012, net sales for the Kyocera Group were $14.5 Billion and we’ve been profitable every year of our operation. Kyocera were previously rated “Aa3″ by Moody’s–high quality with very low credit risk (No current outstanding debt!), and can boast their strong balance sheet. No other solar power company has such strength.

Through dedication to research and a drive to be the best, Kyocera has broken the multicrystalline silicon solar cell efficiency world record several times over. In addition, they have successfully increased the light-sensitive surface area of their solar cells with Kyocera Solar’s patented “reactive ion etching”, lowered resistance being the first company to use 3-busbar cells in mass production and reduced energy loss due to reflection–all to improve the efficiency of kyocera solar panels. They are consistently setting the bar for our industry… and the world is better for it.

Q-Cells

Q-Cells was founded in 1999 in Thalheim, Germany. Within a few years we evolved into one of the biggest solar cells producers globally. Instead of only supplying some of the best panel producers with our high quality solar cells, they then decided to use their know-how and expertise and to start producing solar panels. Q-Cells know that only high quality modules integrated with superior technologies can form the basis for reliable energy output. We monitor over 30 testing sites throughout Australia, including two of our systems at the Desert Knowledge Center in Alice Springs.

Q-Cells main focus is innovation and R&D, so they can fulfill the high expectations of our customers and to guarantee a secure return on your investment. The modules are the fundamental components of a high performance rooftop solar power system. They are the elements that convert light into electricity. Their efficiency levels dictate how much electricity they yield. Q-Cells modules are among the most efficient and most durable on the market. Their catalogue of products covers almost any conceivable requirement.

Q-Cells modules are the only modules on the market offering the Q-Cells Yield Security. This includes e.g. the Anti PID Technology against power loss caused by potential-induced degradation, Hot-Spot Protect for crystalline modules against Hot-Spots which might cause module fire as well as the Additional Power Boost for CIGS modules allowing for up to 15 % additional power after installation.

Q-Cells draws on years of experience in the field. Our technicians ensure the best possible utilisation of your roofs. Whether designing a system for your car park, installations parallel to a flat roof, facades or BIPV variants, Q-Cells offers the optimal solution at affordable prices.

Sun-Earth

Sun-Earth is a global leader in the field of solar power production and supply of mono and poly-crystalline PV modules. Their modules provide reliable, environmentally friendly electric power for residential, commercial, industrial and utility scale applications around the world. Sun Earth believe that the sun is our most vital source of energy and essential as a clean and economical alternative to the damaging impact of fossil fuel generated electricity. Their solar power modules support business and utilities to reduce costs by collecting power from the sun.

With 45 years of experience, Sun Earth’s vertically integrated business model keeps down production costs, passing savings on to our customers. They make their own polysilicon, ingots, wafers, cells and modules, assuring continuous, quality improvement in the production process. Sun-Earth leads solar power innovation through their research and development facilities at the Ningbo Solar Energy Institute (NSEI). This is where scientists, many of them leading experts in the field of solar power are working together at the intersection of technology and industry to address some of the most challenging technical and engineering issues in the solar industry today. Working with the Chinese government and solar power experts from China, Japan, Germany and other countries, NSEI has achieved recognition both in China and abroad.

The post Solar Power How Does It Work appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

Ultimately a result of this will see the recouping of the initial investment for a solar power extending , but it’s not as bad as some may think.

Already peak rate kWh are cresting 35c post the Carbon Tax introduction, and with the surety that future electricity prices will only scale upwards if we remain tied to a brown coal infrastructure, solar power is still returning a positive and sustainable investment option for financially wary investors.

For example, and this is entirely speculative on price and based on a 5kW PV system costing in the range of $9,750-$13,000 and considering the following:

• If peak electricity purchase rates are .35c and buy back tariff is set at .10c per kWh
• Assuming peak electricity price increases 5% a year
• If the house hold consumes 16kWh per 24 hours and exports 66% of the 3.8 Sunlight hour solar PV exposure that solar output is based on in Melbourne
• If the daily service charge from the retailer is .75c per day

The payback period is between 8-11 years and considering most panel and inverter warranties include 10 year manufacture warranty (optional with some inverters) and 25 year efficiency warranties, you are still making savings of $1-2 thousand per annum whilst protected by various manufacturer and installer warranties.

Given that a system should still happily produce power for another 14-17 years (although at up to 20% less output due to system degradation which varies from component to component) after it has paid for itself, solar power is certainly a serious economical consideration for those wanting to have more control over their financial futures without being dictated to by an exponential increase in utility supply costs.

The post The Sun Still Shines On Solar Power Economics appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

2011 saw increased momentum in the solar power industry, customers were starting to install bigger systems that not only reduced their power bills, but completely eliminated their power bills and even more. We started to see retirees withdrawing their entitlements from superannuation and using that money to load up their roof space with solar pv. Customers were receiving returns of over 25% pa, with solar PV systems paying themselves off within 4 years, while also receiving substantial credits from their electricity retailers. The industry was becoming too good, nearly every electrician was undertaking a solar accreditation, solar installation companies were popping up everywhere, importers were flooding the market with solar products, government rebates were still very generous and state backed feed-in-tariffs were becoming unsustainable. Welcome to the second half of 2011.

The second half of 2011 saw the solar industry undergo a correction. It was the perfect storm for the solar power industry. The Australian Government reduced the solar STC rebate from a 5 times multiplier to a 3 times multiplier in conjunction with the STC price falling from $37 per STC to $22 per STC. This resulted in rebates reducing by over $3000 per installation. Also, we witnessed several States of Australia significantly reduce their Feed-in-tariffs. The market was overheating and it was costing Australian taxpayers too much money, not to mention the increased electricity costs associated with Renewable Energy Certificates. Something had to give. And it did. Right on cue, as the solar incentives in Australia were being slashed, the world witnessed the onset of European credit crisis. As Europe was the main driver of the world-wide solar industry, a dramatic reduction of consumer confidence and Government Solar spending resulted in decreased global demand in solar. This happened right when commercial investment in solar pv manufacturing was reaching a climax. We were witnessing a major correction in the solar market. People were genuinely fearful that GFC2 was about to raise its ugly head, and customers were holding onto their hard earned money.

Solar panel prices were slashed in the second half of 2011; manufacturers were dumping stock at unsustainable levels, with almost half of the solar manufacturers in China going broke. We were witnessing solar panel prices dropping by over 50% in the space of a few months. This was not good for solar manufacturers, but it was great news for solar power customers. The reduction in equipment costs seemed to nullify the reduction in federal rebates. Customers quickly realized that solar PV was still a very rewarding investment with ROI of around 25% and payback periods of 5 years. Solar advertising started increasing and by the start of 2012, we saw the emergence of a new, stronger solar industry that rewarded quality manufacturers and quality solar installers. The retreating tide was quickly turning back into a tsunami. The Green Power Company was positioned perfectly, we were carrying a great range of equipment, we had a team of fully qualified installers and we were offering great prices. 2012 started strong, and just got stronger and stronger. Customers were now considering solar as a fully-bonafide long term strategic investment. They were steering away from cheap Chinese imports and more concerned with quality products that could completely power their homes for the next 25+ years. 2012 was the year that saw solar customers loading up their entire sunlit roof-space, after all, solar was one of the only strong investments in the market. Property prices were falling, the stock market was going sideways, and superannuation was looking dicey. Customers were taking their money out of the banks/super and putting it on their roof, where they could guarantee returns of around 20% P/A for the next 25 years. People were also concerned of rising electricity costs as a result of the carbon tax and rising electricity distribution costs. People were also thinking about electricity independence, not having to rely on the power companies. The mindset was changing significantly, solar was now becoming a ‘thing that I have to do’. Nearly all home owners are affected by rising electricity costs, and they are wanting to take the power back and have some control.

We are seeing many more expressions of interest from the commercial sector. Most business use electricity in peak periods right when solar power is at its most effective. Peak electricity costs are around 30cents per kWh. Why pay the power companies when you can install a large commercial solar PV system which will pay itself off within 5-6 years. In this current climate, business owners are less likely to expand operations and more likely to operate their business more efficiently. Solar is the perfect low risk value add to their business as a means to run it as efficiently as possible. We foresee the solar commercial market growing steadily over the next 5 years. Hopefully it will co-inside with Government Regulations on residential and commercial energy standards. There is no reason why we can’t move forward into a low-cost renewable energy future, with solar power contributing significantly to peak load. Our economy must transitions into one that is clean and sustainable, taking consideration of the global environment. It is inevitable that renewable energy industry will continue to grow and thrive, and overcome all minor hiccups in it way.

After all, Solar Power is a smarter way of doing things.

Solar power still remains one of the wisest investments you can make. Solar PV adds value to your home, it generates cheap clean renewable electricity, it shades your roof in summer reducing internal temperatures, it localises power production creating power independence, it is a financially rewarding investment and best of all, it is great for the environment and helps create a sustainable future.

Green Power Forever!

Tony Pecora,
Director

The Green Power Company Pty Ltd

The post The Solar Power Industry appeared first on The Green Power Company | Solar Power Systems.

A dependent territory of New Zealand, Tokelau’s solar transformation is being overseen by Kiwi company Powersmart Solar, as lead contractor on the project, with the first system on the atoll Fakaofo due to be switched on in two weeks, according to PV Magazine.

Powersmart says the project’s original tender specification called for the solar power systems to supply 90 per cent of Tokelau’s electricity demand, but that “through creative design” and project management – the PV modules will have to be able to withstand cyclone force winds up to 230 km/h – the solar systems installed will be capable of providing 150 per cent of current power demand, allowing Tokelauans to expand their electricity use without increasing diesel use.

The company claims the Tokelau 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.

Previously, Tokelau – with its population of 1,400 across a combined land area of 10 square kilometers – relied entirely on diesel to provide electricity between 15 and 18 hours a day. Around 200 liters of fuel were burned daily, meaning around 2,000 barrels had to be shipped from NZ at a cost of $NZ1 million a year.

“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,” said Powersmart director Mike Bassett-Smith.

Bassett-Smith says he expects the solar power system – which has cost the New Zealand government $NZ7.5 million, all up – to repay itself in five years, and have a 20 year life before it needs any sort of significant maintenance.

“It’s going to be an amazing change from using fossil fuel,” Foua Toloa, the Tokelau energy minister told New Zealand television’s 3 News. “It avoids expenses, but also bringing them there, it’s dangerous and any spill will affect the environment.”

Work to install solar power panels on the two remaining atolls, Atafu and Nukunon, will commence after testing is complete on Fakaofo. All work is expected to be completed by September.

Source: Renew Economy

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