The Deputy Premier NSW and Environment Minister Carmel Tebbutt has announced the move towards a feed-in tariff for solar energy at the Australia-Germany Solar and Bio Energy Industry Conference in Sydney. 130 delegates representing the solar energy industry from Australia and Germany convened to discuss current market opportunities and challenges.
The symposium was organised by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce in conjunction with trade delegation program for international collaboration from Germany's solar energy industry.
Climate Minister Carmel Tebbutt said that Australia could benefit a lot from international collaboration and welcomed the efforts by the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce to facilitate market opportunities of German solar technologies. A feed-in tariff was introduced in Germany eight years ago, resulting in boom for the solar industry.
Despite last week's closing announcement of Australia's largest solar panel manufacturer, German solar companies still regard Australia as a lucrative market with growth potential. The Minister's official announcement of the feed-in tariff should stimulate the growth of Australia's solar industry since most states including Victoria and Queensland already adopted such consumer incentives.
"The renewables industry had to take a hit last week but no one should write off the future of solar energy in Australia. With 3,000 hours of sun a year there's still an enormous potential for Australia's solar energy," said Markus Gilbert, Executive Director of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Experts from industry associations and company executives presented comprehensive overviews of the solar and bio energy markets in Australia and Germany and exchanged their market experiences. Pioneers from Germany's solar energy industry revealed how they successfully conquered the European energy market.
Germany's solar industry created 42,000 jobs, proving that sustainable energy can contribute to a healthy economy. Photovoltaics from Germany have a world market share of 49% and renewables already generate 15 percent of the nation's total electricity.
"Delegates have gained an understanding of an established and very successful renewable energy market and discuss related business operations in Australia," Mr Gilbert adds.
Speakers including the Department of Water and Energy's Senior Policy Officer Andrew Burnard covered legal aspects, policy developments, political support, financing considerations and the commercialization of renewable energy projects. Green-tech company representatives presented their technologies and ideas to potential buyers, suppliers, distributors and creditors.
The NSW Department of State and Regional Development and the German Ministry of Economics and Technology proudly supported this event.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
