The 2008 Appropriate Technology Retailers Association of Australia (ATRAA) Conference and Exhibition highlighted the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry’s growth, the challenges it has and will face and most of all, the industry’s achievements and success.

Hosted by the Clean Energy Council, ATRAA ran over four days from 30 July to 2 August. This annual event is the key networking and education event for installers, academics, trainers, retailers, distributors, dealers, manufacturers, developers, designers and associated renewable services.

For the second year running, the annual ATRAA ‘Solar Mission’ brought free solar power to an Australian charitable organisation. This year, a solar PV system was donated by Sharp and installed by SolarQuip at the Sacred Heart Mission’s Aged Care Hostel in St Kilda, Melbourne.

RISE PD enlightens installers and preludes conference success

The largest ATRAA to date, it was clear that the conference would be well attended, when over 170 installers came to the RISE Professional Development Day. The day was opened by the Clean Energy Council’s Mike Russell, RISE’s Nigel Wilmont and Geoff Stapleton. The University of New South Wales’ Ted Spooner, and Solar Quip’s Glen Morris updated solar installers on inverters, photovoltaics, systems and standards.

From the long-standing to the newly-accredited, installers were updated on the standards with which they must comply, inverter and cable design issues, PV array fusing and much more. At the end of the day, delegates enjoyed the RISE Professional Development Day drinks in the ATRAA exhibition overlooking Albert Park Lake.

ATRAA highlights industry success and certainty for a brighter future

In her opening address to conference attendees, Clean Energy Council CEO Rosemary Warnock commended the industry’s strength and durability in continually changing and challenging times.

“The solar industry has proven to be a strong survivor throughout many turbulent years and now, finally, it is receiving the credit that is its due – largely through the world’s acceptance of climate change as the paramount issue of our time.

“It seems,” she concluded, “that solar power has finally come of age.”

With the changes to the solar rebate announced in the 2008 - 09 Federal Budget, the past year has been one of uncertainty for solar retailers and suppliers. The Budget saw changes to the Solar Homes and Communities Plan (SHCP) – formerly the Photovoltaic Rebate Program (PVRP) – including the introduction of a means test on the solar PV rebate and the announcement that the SHCP would wind up in 2010. Despite these policy challenges, Ms Warnock’s message to the industry was optimistic.

“It seems to me,” she said, “that our federal, state and local governments are committed to change, and to developing the right policies and incentives to drive growth in the renewable industry.”

Clean Energy Council Chairman, Richard McIndoe, also acknowledged that the solar industry had experienced significant ups and downs. However, he said it remained vital that the clean energy industry present a strong and united voice to create change for the better.

Speaking on behalf of the Clean Energy Council, Mr McIndoe said “We’re in a position of exciting times for the clean energy industry,” he said. “I think the future for both these [wind and solar] industries and the broader renewable industry here in Australia is extremely bright.”

Policy on the agenda

For the first two days of ATRAA there was much anticipation about what Federal Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, would say in his address to the industry. Encouraged to attend the Saturday morning session, delegates did not disappoint, with a packed conference room keen to hear and question the minister.

Releasing the solar rebate application figures received by the Federal Government for the SHCP for the period just prior to and since the recent budget, Mr Garrett said that the changes to the rebate were justified.

Addressing the conference, Mr Garrett said he also regarded Australia’s climate change challenges as an opportunity for the nation as it reduces the country’s carbon pollution over the long term.

“The fact that this conference is organised by industry for industry – as it was described to me, ‘boots, not suits’,” he said, “means many of you in this room are on the front line of our response to climate change and are already grasping these opportunities.”

Mr Garrett outlined the Federal Government’s steps to begin reducing Australia’s carbon pollution, including the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper, the consultation paper on the renewable energy target and the commitment of more than $1 billion to household and community energy efficiency and renewable energy.

He stressed the “comprehensive approach” required to tackle climate change and reduce carbon pollution.

“If you don’t have a plan to address climate change,” he said, “then you don’t have a plan for clean and renewable energy. And if you don’t have a plan for renewable energy, you have no plan for the future of Australia’s solar industry.”

Any plan to tackle climate change, said Mr Garrett, must see renewable energy competing in the mainstream.

“This means bringing renewable and solar energy in from the margins, not isolated, but integrated in our future energy mix,” he said.

On the hot topic of the SHCP, Mr Garrett released the solar rebate application figures, which he said showed that the government’s decision in the budget was “absolutely spot on”; that the rebates are going to Australian families that need them most; and, that demand for this program is very strong.

Outlining the figures, Mr Garrett said that while at the time of the last Coalition Budget, received applications averaged some 30 per week, by the time of the first Rudd Labor Government Budget, this average had grown to over 360 – growth of close to 1,300 per cent. Moreover, he told delegates that rebate applications had grown at significant levels since the 2008 Budget – with an average of 522 weekly applications from the Budget to the time of his announcement.

He said “The current average since the Budget, up to and including last week, is higher than in any single week before the Budget and throughout this program’s history.

“It is also 150 applications per week higher than in the four weeks prior to when the means test was put in place.”

Answering a question on everyone’s mind, Mr Garrett provided some solace for the future when he said that the Government plans to work towards a “harmonised approach to renewable energy feed-in tariffs” through to the next COAG meeting in October.

The Clean Energy Council welcomed the release of the application figures. Rob Jackson, General Manager for Policy for the Clean Energy Council, said “We welcome the transparency from the government in providing this information, which will be critical in enabling the solar PV industry to plan for future demand and jobs growth.

“The rebate scheme, particularly in the last two years, has allowed the industry to build capacity and capability. However the industry is now ready to transition to a nationally consistent gross feed-in tariff; this policy will deliver the long term certainty needed for investment and jobs growth.

“These figures demonstrate that the Australian solar PV industry continues to move from strength to strength and we look forward to working with government to discuss the transitional rebate arrangements until the gross feed-in tariff policy is in place.”

On the state government level, the Victorian Minister for Climate Change, the Environment and Water, Gavin Jennings and Minister for Energy, Resources and Community Development, Peter Batchelor, addressed delegates. They highlighted the State Government’s commitment and policies to address climate change, work with the Federal Government and provide certainty for Victoria’s solar PV and renewable energy industries.

ATRAA Business

While policy and funding were major points of discussion at the conference, the ‘ATRAA Business’ sessions highlighted the importance of the event in reconnecting industry representatives. Led by long-standing industry members Rod Menzies and Kim Atkinson, the sessions were a chance for participants to raise questions and voice their comments on any issues relevant to the industry.

The ATRAA Business sessions were keenly attended, with a call for more time allocated for these sessions at future ATRAA events.

The major issues discussed included feed-in tariffs, rebate schemes, training and education, module standards and new products entering the market. Delegates also reflected on ATRAA’s history, acknowledging the long term commitment to sustainability and self-sufficiency.

At the conference, the Clean Energy Council committed to responding to questions raised during ATRAA Business where it was appropriate to respond. The Council has since said that it is actively working with the PV Directorate to develop a policy platform to support the material growth of the PV industry in Australia.

Exhibiting solar and renewable innovation

The ATRAA exhibition continued to showcase Australia as a nation of innovators in the global renewable energy market. A record number of over 30 exhibitors demonstrated new and emerging technologies and product developments to industry. The exhibition was also open to the public on Saturday.

The event provided industry installers, retailers, developers and suppliers the chance to connect over relaxing breaks and evening drinks in the exhibition. Many suppliers also promoted the latest technology throughout the conference, with brief presentations on new products and solutions available for the market.

Recognising and celebrating success

Perhaps what ATRAA did best, however was to publicly recognise and celebrate the solar PV industry’s successes and achievements.

A highlight for the installers was Rod Menzies’ and Ian Dawson’s joint presentation — ‘Exceptional and Innovative Designs and Installations’. Mr Dawson also enlightened attendees about the National PV Power System Audit/Inspection Program and the inspectors’ unique experiences, while travelling thousands of miles – often along hazardous roads – to inspect remote solar arrays.

With 65 per cent of inspections for the 2008 year completed, Mr Menzies and Mr Dawson announced a 93 per cent compliance with BCSE Accreditation standards – a 3 per cent increase on last year. The program is targeting 99 per cent compliance by 2009.

In a more relaxed environment, delegates celebrated the ATRAA Industry Awards at the formal dinner at the Power House Function Centre on Albert Park Lake.

The highlight of the evening were the ATRAA Industry Awards. Presented by the Clean Energy Council in association with Bushlight, the awards showcased the high level of design and installation talent around the country; the passion and commitment of ATRAA’s founding members now reflected in new generations of industry leaders.

Bushlight General Manager Grant Behrendorff and guest speaker Peter Batchelor presented awards to John Cooper and Andrew Blair, recognising their Contribution to the renewable energy industry (lifetime achievement).

Ilya Sippen from Solar Power & Pumps was awarded Merit for PV system innovation & design and Joleen Hess from Going Solar P/L was awarded the Award for excellence, designing & installing a grid-connect solar PV energy system, for the less than 5 kilowatts category as well as the award for a system of more than 5 kilowatts.

ATRAA 2009 and beyond

With another ATRAA event complete, preparations are now underway for ATRAA 2009 in Canberra to support major policy decisions impacting the renewable energy industries. Australia’s solar and micro-wind industries look forward to meeting again, discussing the issues and marking the achievements of a fast-growing renewable energy sector.