Australian PV Association

APVA Workshop on grid integration issues. The program examines cricital factors needing consideration as PV penetration levels rise, with practical case study examples from WA and NT. Friday 20th April 2012, Perth - Presentations available shortly for members.

APVA submission to IPART Solar FiT Draft Report

APVA submission to IPART Energy Draft Report on Solar Feed-in Tariffs [.pdf 220kB] emphasises need for export PV electricity to have a mandated minium value and net metering arrangements would provide the most straightforward means of reflecting current PV value to retailers - released January 2012

APVA ESCoSA submission

APVA submission [.pdf 353kB] to the "Essential Services Commission of South Australia (ESCoSA) 2011 Determination of Solar Feed-in Tariff Premium, Draft Price Determination" - highlights concern in not adequately considering signficiant changes in the distributed energy market - released December 2011.

Modelling of Residential and Commercial PV and Electricity Prices

The APVA releases 2 more modelling reports on PV and Electricity price for the Residential Sector in Australia [.pdf 837kB] and Commercial Sector in Australia with funding support by the ASI - released 30th November 2011.

Large-Scale Price Modelling in Australia APVA Report

Modelling of Large-Scale PV Systems in Australia [.pdf 734kB] is an indepth APVA report on PV costs and electricity prices for large installations with funding support by the ASI - released 28th November 2011.

Alice Springs PV Penetration Case Study Report

Alice Springs PV Penetration Case Study [.pdf 2.1MB] provides key experiences from increasing levels of solar generated power into the electricity grid. The report was completed by APVA and CEEM from UNSW with support from Northern Territory Power and Water Corporation (P&W) and ASI funding. See also full press release from Alice Springs Solar City - released 24th October 2011.

APVA Submission to IPART Solar FiT review

APVA submission to IPART Solar FiT review [.pdf 980kB] recommends for the creation of a distributed energy services market within the NEM and net metering with a 1:1 tariff in the interim, on the basis that this more equitably reflects the market price for PV generated electricity - released 19th September 2011

APVA guidance to fire fighters

The APVA, authored by Ted Spooner has produced guidance to fire fighters Solar Electric Systems and Firefighter Safety - Grid Connect [.pdf 1.4 MB] as part of responsible industry practice to assist them in the event of a fire that involves a PV system. Note that there have been no known fires caused by PV systems in Australia - released 19th September 2011 

APVA highlights Australian PV market, whilst beginning to hit grid parity, is at a crossroads

APVA presents that the Australian PV market has begun to hit grid parity but is at a crossroads requiring fair and reasonable prices for electricity sold back into the grid (ABC radio report). See also EcoGen Conference 2011 APVA presentation [.pdf 1.3MB]  as well as introductory slides for a workshop held on Regulatory Changes needed for Distributed Energy [.pdf 2.1MB]. - released 6th September 2011 

APVA Response to CEC report on small scale residential PV value

APVA response to Clean Energy Council (CEC) commissioned SKM/MMA report on “Value of Generation from Small Scale Residential PV Systems” including comment on mixing up values to Network Service Providers with values to retailers, who are distinct entities - released 14th July 2011 [.pdf 2.1MB]

APVA Response to Government's Carbon Price Mechanism

APVA response to Carbon Price and Package of complimentary measures - released 11st July 2011 [.pdf 74kB]

APVA Submissions to NSW Solar Summit

APVA paper submission to the NSW Solar Summit requests Governments and energy market regulators  ensure PV integration into the electricity network and market is fair, straightforward and transparent. APVA paper - released 1st July 2011 [.pdf 136kB]

APVA Response to Productivity Commission Report

APVA has significant concerns with assumptions and calculations used by the Australian Productivity Commission report "Carbon Emission Policies in Key Countries" May 2011. APVA response to the report - released 15th June 2011 [.pdf 472kB]

APVA PV Status Report 2010

APVA launches the Australian PV Status Report for 2010 [.pdf 741] and accompanying summary presentation [.pdf 1.7MB] with significant growth in jobs and installation capacity last year - released 2nd June 2011

APVA Feed-in-Tariff Solution for NSW

APVA briefing paper recommends a rational basis for a FiT that is equitable and protects PV industry jobs and household investors in solar energy - 20th May 2011 [.pdf 135kB]

Disappointment in Solar Schools Program being Cut

APVA calls on Government to reinstate Solar Schools Program - Press Release 11th May 2011 [.pdf 564kB] 

NSW Government Solar Summit - APVA comments

APVA comments in relation to discussions at the NSW Government Solar Summit held on 5th May 2011 Read more [.pdf 249kB]

Transitioning to an Unsubsidised PV Market

APVA calls on policy certainty and provides a briefing paper on a strategic approach to regulatory arrangements for Retailers and Network Service Providers to ensure the future growth of the Australian PV Industry. Read more [.pdf 541kB]

Safety standards for PV adequatley cover PV under cyclone conditions

APVA supports PV safety record and standards under cylcone conditions in response to James Cook University Cyclone Testing Unit Solar Panel Alert. Read more [.pdf 341kB]

MPCC Carbon Price Mechanism

APVA comment on Multi-Party Climate Change committee (MPCC) Announcement of a Carbon Price Mechanism. Media Release. [.pdf 101kB] and extended response [.pdf 131kB]

National Online Seminar - Helping Ensure Safe PV System Installations - Recorded version now available

Top PV experts share how you can best meet forthcoming standards, prevent house fire, wind damage and related risks, pass government inspections, avoid loss of ability to create RECs and avoid loss of accreditation. Read more and register for recorded version. [.pdf 341kB]

APVA response to Australian Institute paper on solar 

The Australian Government's solar PV rebate program paper written by Andrew Macintosh and Deb Wilkinson (Nov 2010) has led to a response by the APVA  [.pdf 254kB] 

APVA Briefing Paper November 2010 

APVA paper on Comparing Gross versus Net Feed-in-Tariffs (F-i-T) [.pdf 262kB] 

US and Australia join forces on Solar Power 

Australian Government commits $50 million to be managed by ASI to collaborate with the US to drive down costs. Read more..

APVA Briefing Paper - October 2010

APVA is concerned that the NSW government's significant Feed-in-tariff cut from 60c/KWh to 20c/kWh will initiate a boom-bust approach to the solar industry with the prospect of significant job losses in a sector that is predicted to make a significant contribution to the future global energy market. The APVA advocates a system that recognises the true value of PV which often provides power at peak periods of high air-conditioning use where the wholesale price of electricity can reach as high as $125/kWh.

True costs & values of Solar PV [.pdf 208kB] briefing paper details  APVA's response to unfounded claims that have recently been made in the media.