Question time

• What are the key products or services that you showcased at All-Energy 09?
• What has been the highlight for the industry for 2009?
• What has been the highlight this year?
• What’s on the agenda for 2010?

Suntech Distribution Manager, Blair Pester

• Suntech showcased the Pluto cell at the All-Energy 09 exhibition, a module based on Pluto technology with a cell efficiency of 19.1 per cent.
• The highlight for the industry this year was the passing of the Renewable Energy Target and the announcement of the value of the Federal Government flagship initiatives.
• The highlight for Suntech has been the agreement for the implementation of the largest Pluto cell installation for the Sydney Theatre Company’s Greening the Wharf project, with a capacity of 384 kW.
• In 2010, Suntech will continue to increase modular efficiency and to emphasise our Australian-orientated technology.

Managing Director of MWM Energy, David Sparano

• MWM Energy offers industry high efficiency gas engines suited to cogeneration, trigeneration and innovative power generation solutions. The gas generator displayed at this exhibition is the smallest frame size in our range, with an energy output suitable for hothouses, small hospitals and other public facilities, as well as the capacity to export electricity to the grid.
• The MWM engine display attracted great interest in the immediate energy efficiency gains possible in public facilities and commercial buildings. MWM also noted the success of the All-Energy exhibition in generating discussion across a number of project possibilities.
• The highlight has been the growing awareness of applications for embedded (or distributed) power generation, and the efficiency benefits of utilising gas cogeneration. This has resulted in new business and increased inquiries, as well as strong project activity in 2009. We are confident that this industry activity will continue into 2010 and beyond.
• With regard to gas cogeneration projects undertaken with our delivery partners in the last twelve months, our studies show that MWM’s share of this growing sector exceeds 23 per cent.
• We are working to build awareness of the savings resulting from the operating efficiencies of MWM’s gas engines. The fuel savings alone deliver an economic benefit, multiplied by the savings due to localised (distributed) power generation that avoids all the electrical losses incurred during transmission from conventional coal-fired power stations. For example, a 3 per cent saving in fuel consumption in a 1 MW gas genset running continuously, can save approximately $40,000 per year for the operator.

SunPower Managing Director, Bob Blakiston

• SunPower is showcasing its new 300 watt panel. Specifically addressing the residential Solar Credit Scheme, five of these 300 w panels provide the same capacity as nine conventional panels. Despite the economic downturn, solar has continued to gain ground as a mainstream source of energy. Solar technologies are increasingly cost-competitive, making solar an easy, affordable alternative to greenhouse gas-emitting, non-renewable forms of power generation.
• We’ve had a lot of noteworthy highlights this year including the launch of the SunPower Foundation to inspire and empower the next generation of solar leaders; significant financial agreements including a $100 million finance facility with Wells Fargo Bank in the US, a 14 MW agreement with Casino Groupe in France, and a 300 – 600 MW supply agreement with Florida Power & Light in the US; and the completion of Australia’s largest roof mounted system, a 305 kW system for the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Alice Springs.
• SunPower is introducing to the Australian market a new, safer MC4 cable connection. This new standard, which has been adopted for use in other parts of the world, features a cable-locking mechanism that requires a tool to open. With MC4, only a professionally-trained technician can disconnect cables, increasing the safety of active SunPower PV systems in both residential and large-scale applications.

Director of Remtron, Adrian Matthews

• Our key products are solar panels, energy-saving high bay lighting, LED lighting and Power Factor Correction.
• The Government getting into gear in getting the rebate back and unifying the country, along with the overall growing public awareness of global warming.
• The highlight for Remtron has been securing our new partnership with Aleo Germany to distribute Aleo solar modules within Australia.
• Aleo Germany has a production facility in Germany with 180 MW capacity. They have been great to deal with.
• For 2010, we’ll be moving into energy management and getting the Aleo and Somar names out into the public.