A LITTLE Grove market gardener is the latest Albany resident to test the benefits of harnessing sun and wind power.
Graeme Waugh was given the go-ahead by Albany City Council at its May meeting to erect a wind turbine and solar power on a 3.4ha lot used for horticultural production and sales at Little Grove.
Council agreed to issue conditional planning scheme consent for a 10-metre high tower for a wind turbine and solar panels on a building.
Mr Waugh told Council he wanted to reduce his electricity consumption from Western Power’s grid by developing his own alternative supply.
This would be done with a peak generating capacity of 5kW solar power and 3kW wind power.
Concerns raised in submissions from neighbours included noise from the wind turbine and the visual amenity of its tower.
Cr Kim Stanton said it was heartening to see people wanting to be more self-sufficient.
Council was concerned it would set a precedent, possibly leading to it approving similar applications in the future as there was no existing council policy to guide development.
The popularity of alternative energy development throughout Albany has led to MLA Peter Watson criticising the Federal Government on its decision to means test the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP).
“This decision is just plain wrong,” Mr Watson said.
“The PVRP is a system that rewards people for making a positive contribution to the environment and there is just no excuse for doing anything that may discourage people from doing their bit to lower greenhouse gases.”
Mr Watson said that many people in regional areas may be able to apply for rebates under a different program – the Rural Renewable Energy Program (RREP), administered by the State Government’s Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO) and funded by the Australian Government.
Local solar systems installer, Marty Cowie of Sustainable Electrotechnology, recently took the plunge by refocussing his business from regular electrical contracting work into specialising in designing and installing solar power systems.
“This decision by the Government will be a huge backward step for the solar energy industry, with predictions of a 70 per cent reduction in system installations across the country,” Mr Cowie said.
“I understand the Federal Government is awaiting the outcome of the Garnaut report later this year and intends to introduce a carbon trading scheme, but the massive effects of climate change need to be addressed now.
Mr Cowie said that while most of his customers would still be eligible for the RREP rebate from SEDO, the publicity surrounding the means testing of the rebate would put many prospective customers off.
“It’s not rich people by and large who are taking up these solar systems, it’s middle income, environmentally conscious and socially responsible people who want to make a contribution to the future of the planet,” he said. “They want to make a difference.”
Mr Cowie installed solar panels on the roof of a Spencer Park home owned Mark Henson this week.
Mr Henson expects to at least break even after 10 years by feeding electricity back into the grid.