While conventional wisdom holds that we should drink up to eight pina coladas a day, this is often hard to maintain during a wintery period. Those still enduring an absence of balmy light, can however, bask in the knowledge that all energy on our planet came at one point, from the same big firey ball you’ve been missing. And take heart that there are plenty of folks looking to harvest that energy in smarter, less polluting ways. Such as Rachel Ollivier from the Alternative Technology Association. See a range of good ideas at www.ata.org.au or within their ever-practical ReNew magazine.

What are today’s sci/govt hurdles for solar power development?
There are a number of myths about solar power that stop people buying it, such as “it only works when the sun is out”.

It’s still hard to gain information / advice about solar power and what is appropriate for your house or property. Not everyone is willing to put in the time it takes to investigate what you need to. ATA can help with this because many of our members have gone through this process and their stories are in ReNew magazine and on our website.

The upfront price of solar electricity is still high and the savings that it provides to the electricity grid overall are not reflected in pricing or support from government. The playing field for electricity is not yet level, which disadvantages solar electricity.

What positive leaps have been made in the last 3 years?
The last 3 years have seen more than 4000 solar electricity systems installed around Australia thanks to the Photovoltaic rebate program. Most of these are in urban areas. Until then, the majority of solar electricity systems were in rural Australia.

Governments, individuals and the media are talking about solar electricity more than they have before and we are seeing the results of this in increased interest from the public, higher rates of installation. Overall government policy is slowly also becoming more
supportive of sustainable technologies, although some significant measures such as the federal government’s rebate program have an uncertain future.

What other energy sources have been showing recent promise?
Energy efficiency has the greatest environmental and economic promise. We can provide roughly 50% of our energy needs by designing our houses, appliances and businesses to be more efficient. Solar Hot Water is a good financial proposition for households at this stage and Australia has the manufacturing capacity to supply SHW to households across Australia. Wind power also has a place in meeting Australia’s energy requirements in the future. We have good sources of wind and it is one of the most cost competitive forms of renewable energy that can be provided on a large scale.

How can people support these developments?
Building or renovating a home is the perfect time to build in energy efficient and renewable energy features. ATA also offers a Power Bill Saver Service for those wanting to improve an existing home. An assessor can visit your house and they will assess how you can best cut energy use with retrofits. Replace your hot water system with a solar system. Consider choosing greenpower when you buy your electricity. When you buy greenpower, your power company purcahses this power on your behalf from renewable sources, such as wind and solar. Support the ATA’s work by signing up as a Supporter or Member.

Your favourite ‘alternative energy’ myth for dismantling?
That solar power only works when the sun is out. Solar electricity systems ensure a reliable supply in two ways – if they are in the city, then they are connected to the electricity grid and you receive power in a very similar way to others in your street.

When the sun is out, your solar power systems supplies your house and extra power is fed back into the local electricity grid (so it is also supplying your neighbours). At night or in cloud, you draw power from the grid as per normal. It works like a large battery. In remote areas, solar electricity systems are connected to a battery bank which stores power in the sun and supplies it at night.

Solar Hot Water systems usually have a gas or electric back up system which kicks in to boost the heat of the water during winter. Depending on the state that you are in, the solar component supplies between 60 and 100% of the energy to heat your water.

What are the ATA’s current key campaigns?
Fighting the implementation of the recently announced excise tax on biodiesel in its current form. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can be used in diesel engines without modification. It is made from vegetable oil – either new or waste vegetable oil can be used. There are a number of farmers and other people around Australia making biodiesel. Lobbying for higher building standards to ensure Australia’s houses have the levels of energy efficiency and water efficiency most consumers expect.

Calling for more policy and regulation that is more supportive of renewable energy and recognises the value it provides Australia, economical, environmentally and socially. There isn’t a level playing field yet because the electricity market is designed around old energy sources such as coal-fired power stations, which supply approximately 80% of our electricity at the moment.

On a local government level, what barriers exist for sustainable housing?
Households wanting to install systems to reuse greywater systems have the greatest challenge working with their local governments. This technology is new and unknown to many local governments and applications often take a very long period of time, or applicants need to provide an large amount of research to support their application. Sustainable housing isn’t usually prioritised by local governments meaning that unlike building a deck, you may not be able to find advice or expertise within your council on the issues you are facing, but will have to go elsewhere.

What improvements have been made with local governments?
A number of local councils are putting in sustainability strategies and some are including incentives and other programs to encourage use of rainwater tanks, solar hot water, energy efficiency or renewable energy. Councils now have more knowledge than they did about these issues and I expect this to continue to grow.

3 energy ideas that would make a big change if widely implemented?
If all houses in Australia changed their light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs we would free up $10 per light per year. Over the country this is around $100M per year every year. Choose greenpower from your power company. You will be buying renewable energy instead of energy produced by burning coal. Install solar hot water. It’s great.

Some good URLS for reducing home energy usage?
www.ata.org.au (there are links off here too)
www.yourhome.gov.au (dreaming about a sustainable home? This is the place to go)
www.seav.vic.gov.au (tips and links in a Victorian context)
www.seda.nsw.gov.au (tips and links in a NSW context)