Greens want Queensland to back solar carparks in shopping centres   :)

Date
    October 23, 2015
    Brisbane Times

A renewable energy developer who wants to roll out solar carports at shopping centres across Queensland says he isn't trying to take on the mining industry.

Shakra Energy's managing director Sam Khalil joined Greens senators Sarah Hanson-Young and Larissa Waters to unveil Australia's "largest carport solar development" in Brisbane on Friday.   

"We're not trying to take on the mining industry on - we're only trying to generate 20 to 30 to 40 per cent of what high energy users need (and) reduce the carbon emissions," he told AAP.

"We're not here to say let's go head to head. We're here to say - allow us to generate cleaner electricity, 20-30 per cent of the energy needed, more jobs and look past your nose."

Mr Khalil said it made sense that shopping centres should be able to use sunlit carports to generate their own power, saving them money and providing shade for customer's vehicles.

He said some businesses were forking out $10-15 million each year for electricity so it was a "no brainer" for businesses to install the systems and save up to 40 per cent on power.

It would also create jobs and reduce carbon emissions, he said.   :)

Shakra Energy installed more than 300 solar panels on shade structures on top of PA Central in Brisbane's south, which is expected to generate 30 to 40 per cent of the energy needed to run the car park and several businesses at the centre.

The total cost was about $250,000, although this would vary from project to project, Mr Khalil said.

He said there had been a lot of interest from shopping centres across the state, although he wouldn't reveal which ones.

Mr Khalil said he had some positive responses from state and federal politicians but others were more interested in the coal seam gas industry.

"They're probably looking at the contracts that are probably already tied up with those large fat cats, which is quite sad because, as you can see, the agriculture industry is suffering," he said.

Senator Waters challenged the Palaszczuk government to champion the idea and make Queensland a leader in clean energy innovation.

"While coal is in structural decline, renewable energy is on the up and up, generating new jobs and offering trade opportunities," she said.   :)

Clean energy alternatives would also help in the ongoing fight against global warming, Senator Hanson-Young said.

Not a bad idea at all.

We should have solar on every roof top, every where.

Why not?

We could have a flourishing solar power industry.

Why don't we?

http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg

I recall reading a few months back one of our Ford dealers had installed it over his large building to supply most of their electricity.

Good idea for all large buildings imo, although I suspect shopping malls may have individual metering , then again thinking about it, may be not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCqWu1_M6gE

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 7:46am:

http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg

Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 7:38am:

We should have solar on every roof top, every where. Why not? We could have a flourishing solar power industry. Why don't we?

Why indeed?

It's usually the cost to benefit analysis.

You are welcome to invest your hard earned into such a scheme.

The Dutch are building solar bike paths - they light up at night and they look fantastically good.

http://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-patterns-nuenen-netherlands/

Soren wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:

The Dutch are building solar bike paths - they light up at night and they look fantastically good. http://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-patterns-nuenen-netherlands/

No no, old boy, they're as unsightly as those awful windmills.

What a blight on the landscape these things are.

Soren wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:

The Dutch are building solar bike paths - they light up at night and they look fantastically good. http://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-patterns-nuenen-netherlands/

it's not quite solar ...

The surface of the Van Gogh-Roosegaarde Bicycle Path is coated with a special paint that uses energy gathered during the day to glow after dark

they do look good though. I wonder how long it lasts before it needs re coating?

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 8:50am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day.

The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid.

People benefit from installing solar power.

Swagman wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 12:18pm:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:38am: We should have solar on every roof top, every where. Why not? We could have a flourishing solar power industry. Why don't we? Why indeed? It's usually the cost to benefit analysis. You are welcome to invest your hard earned into such a scheme.

--> you intimate that there is no such concept of 'greasing the palms of industry' perhaps?

mothra wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:39pm:

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power.

maria is anti-competition: she prefers fascist dictation aslong as she can find others who prefer fascist dictation more than her and then she can hide behind them... OH: THE WONDERS OF ENTROPY AND DISINTEGRATION ABOUND WITH LAUGHTER AND HYPOCRISY  :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

AKA MARIA DOESN'T KNOW WHAT SHE IS SAYING FROM ONE MINUTE TO THE NEXT: YAY, LET US ALL DRINK METHO AND GET CYNICAL AND SALLOW  ::) ::) ::)

HELLO 21ST CENTURY: I CAN SEE YOU AND FIBRE INTERNET IS YOUR DOORMAT  ;) ;) ;)

Soren wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:32pm:

The Dutch are building solar bike paths - they light up at night and they look fantastically good. http://www.dezeen.com/2014/11/12/daan-roosegaarde-van-gogh-bicycle-path-glowing-patterns-nuenen-netherlands/

Using the same technology use for glow-int-the-dark toys for 100 years.

mothra wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 4:39pm:

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power.

But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground.

Coal is good for humanity, no?

Karnal wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 5:57pm:

mothra wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 4:39pm: mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power. But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground. Coal is good for humanity, no?

One thought missing from this discussion is why shopping centres arent already using solar power. These are very bright people where the bottom line is the only line that matters. If solar power was viable and profitable, they would already be doing it. To me, that is the only issue.

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 6:20pm:

Karnal wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 5:57pm: mothra wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 4:39pm: mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power. But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground. Coal is good for humanity, no? One thought missing from this discussion is why shopping centres arent already using solar power. These are very bright people where the bottom line is the only line that matters. If solar power was viable and profitable, they would already be doing it. To me, that is the only issue.

The cost to set it up would be huge.

Incentives from the government would unquestionably compel many to take up the offer.

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 6:20pm:

Karnal wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 5:57pm: mothra wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 4:39pm: mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power. But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground. Coal is good for humanity, no? One thought missing from this discussion is why shopping centres arent already using solar power. These are very bright people where the bottom line is the only line that matters. If solar power was viable and profitable, they would already be doing it. To me, that is the only issue.

The cost must currently outweigh the benefit OR alternative sources of energy are currently more efficient and less costly.

Karnal wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 5:57pm:

But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground. Coal is good for humanity, no?

Yes it is.

mothra wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 6:22pm:

mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 6:20pm: Karnal wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 5:57pm: mothra wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 4:39pm: mariacostel wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 8:50am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Oct 24th, 2015 at 7:46am: http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2015/01/free-clean-energy-falling-from-sky.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg Nothing free about it at all. Those panels cost a lot of money and have a 10-15 year lifespan. Are they cheaper than mains power? Ultimately yes, but for most, only of they can get paid for the power they generate back into the grid. Otherwise, they are loss makers since most households are empty durign the day. The primary financial benefit Maria is in no longer having to pay electricity bills, not because of money bought up by the grid. People benefit from installing solar power. But surely there's a benefit in propping up the coal industry. This makes investors money and gives people jobs cutting big holes in the ground. Coal is good for humanity, no? One thought missing from this discussion is why shopping centres arent already using solar power. These are very bright people where the bottom line is the only line that matters. If solar power was viable and profitable, they would already be doing it. To me, that is the only issue. The cost to set it up would be huge. Incentives from the government would unquestionably compel many to take up the offer.

wrote on Oct 24^th, 2015 at 6:05am:

The total cost was about $250,000,

if you're electricity bill is in the millions and you can save 40%, it's a no brainer

Do those people laying on the bike path at night know they could get run over ?