Solar panels are safe

Solar panels are safe, says industry

The solar industry says NSW householders shouldn't panic after an audit found almost 20 per cent of panels in Sydney's northwest had major defects.

The Australian Solar Energy Society says the faults won't cause house fires or electrocutions and can hopefully be fixed for free in a few minutes.

Society chief executive John Grimes says most defects identified by the Fair Trading audit relate to DC breaker switches which have unclear markings.

They are used by electricians to isolate panels during maintenance.

"They're not something that a customer would ever be using," Mr Grimes told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"These are not issues that are going to cause house fires or electrocutions today."

Mr Grimes said all of the faults, including the incorrect installation of DC breakers allowing water to enter the box, could be easily fixed.

"They are one, two, three minute fixes on the property," he said.

"Our intention is to provide that as a free service."
The audit found there were just two fuse-box fires reported across NSW. Mr Grimes said that compared with 35 house fires caused by halogen down-lights annually.

Nevertheless, the society chief admitted the audit results were "troubling" and proved better industry regulation was needed.

"It's time for us to transition the accreditation and policing of the industry to the electrical licensing authorities in each state and territory," Mr Grimes said, noting they had real "teeth".

He agreed with Premier Barry O'Farrell that the design of the NSW solar rebate scheme was to blame for the high rate of defects.

"There was a government-designed system that created haste," he said.

This is not exactly what the AFR reported on page 3 of todays by Marcuss Priest & Michaela Whitbourn. It is all in the way that it is reported. You have to ask the question when you read what the media reports the news.

Piggy bank not needed

AFR 28^th June 2011 – page 62 Opinion

Piggy bank not needed -

Andrew Leigh federal member for Frazer.

Sovereign wealth fund great idea. One of the simplest is to protect our environment and to have a focus on a sustainable society in all its aspects. One that is there for our children's children. It is not rocket science Andrew.

It is about having a society that is not lining the pockets of a few but has maximum benefit for the majority.

There is no I in team.

Today's Financial Review 27th June 2011:

“Holden warns of future" by Fleur Anderson

This story is on the front page.

We have been subsidising the car industry in Australia for how many years. You have to ask the question whether we should have one at all. It is a marginal industry and it is not really Australian. Yes, it does provide jobs directly and indirectly. If you take the emotional aspects out of it and look at the hard fact. The Federal government is subsidising a bunch of jobs which everyone has to pay for out of their pay packet. I mind that if it is directed toward industries that look to long term sustainability which also includes being environmentally friendly. The car industry is not in many ways!

My real beef is that they have always got there hand out asking for more subsidies. Now they want more for the green car assistance. I would not mind if they where manufacturing a low or no polluting vehicles. The car industry has resisted change for as long as I have been able to understand that we need to fix the pollution problems in our cities, Which by the way goes back to the the 70's.

The Australian government needs to support industries that are long term sustainable and environmental friendly. Notice I did not say low carbon. The car industry could be part of that if they would only stop being the wimps they are and have the balls to support a future sustainable industry. Bring on the car of the future.

Transform Australia

Transform Australia is committed to changing the direction of Australia so that as a nation we commit to becoming an ecologically sustainable and socially healthy society. We take creating a viable society as the great challenge of our generation.