An electric car may be more affordable than you think. Two events in April offer the chance to find out more about affordable electric vehicles.
EV Me Now!, a free webinar presented by renew.org next Monday 12 April at 7pm, organised by Clive Attwater, Vice-President of the Australian Electric Vehicle Association, giving an update on EVs in Australia, Anthony Broese van Groenou, co-founder of the Good Car Co discussing affordable electric vehicles and bulk buys, and Ursula Hogben, co-founder of Zero Emissions Solutions discussing climate groups and Councils helping communities to decarbonise,
Second, we’ve organised an exclusive event with Tesla Chatswood for members and friends of Zero Emissions Solutions on Tuesday 20 April, from 6 pm to 7 pm. The Tesla is one of the world’s favourite electric vehicles. Attend the info session then book your test drive one one of the reserved Zero Emissions Solutions member test drive days. Contact Ursula Hogben with any questions.
Read more about electric cars, bikes and other clean alternatives here. The Zero Emissions Transport group includes many EV owners and they are always happy to show off their vehicles. You can meet them at Mosman Markets on the first Saturday of the month. Have a crawl around a Nissan Leaf, a Tesla and a Hyundai Kona, plus check out the latest in affordable electric transport, the scooter! If you have a motorbike licence you can take it for a test drive. Otherwise, you can test ride the electric bikes on display. See you soon!
Feed-in charges?! No way! The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) today released a draft determination on how to integrate more small-scale solar into the electricity grid. The paper addresses the problem of ‘traffic jams’ on the network, caused by small-scale solar feeding into a grid infrastructure which was designed when power only needed to flow one way.
The draft determination suggests rooftop solar owners might be charged to export the solar power they generate in excess of what they use to the grid. In other words, instead of a feed-in tariff, a feed-in charge. The Sydney Morning Herald calls the proposal ‘controversial’.
What does this mean for rooftop solar owners? Ann-Charlott, team leader of our Solar My House program (well-informed but, she notes, ‘not an expert’), has been following the developments. Here are her thoughts:
This issue is most relevant for states like SA that have a high penetration of solar. It is less relevant to NSW and especially our Ausgrid area. As we know, the rate of rooftop solar installation for Mosman is 5 to 6% of houses, and around 14% on Northern Beaches, well below the national average and much below SA.
In the meantime, Ann-Charlott says, networks are exploring other ways to address the problem.
Meanwhile, the transition to renewable energy in Australia is happening, so the existing infrastructure – the poles and wires – will need to adapt to accommodate new technologies. The feed-in tariff is always liable to change — up, down, different pricings at different times — but the savings you get from all that free solar power from your roof remain.
Shine on!
Jeremy and Kate live in a Pettit+Sevitt home, designed by Sydney architect Ken Woolley near the start of his career. Their house is on a steep block, surrounded by mature trees. The trees have grown over the years turning harbour views into harbour glimpses, but they like it that way.
We believe that the fact there are trees increases the value of property in Mosman. In a climate change world it reduces temperatures and gives us oxygen and all sorts of good things.
The natural environment has always been important to Kate and Jeremy. They were both involved in the long campaign in the 80s and 90s to prevent Sydney Harbour’s foreshores from being developed, which led to the establishment of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust in 2001.
The family installed a small rooftop solar system back in 2009 to take advantage of the 60c feed-in tariff. But ten years on, their solar feed-in had dwindled to almost nothing and mature trees put the panels in partial shade for much of the day. Kate and Jeremy wanted a more efficient system but they were determined to keep the trees. After talking to Zero Emissions Solutions they obtained quotes for a new system and chose Solarpro to install it.
A solution for shady sites
Solarpro recommended installing a 3.7 kW system comprising 10 LG Mono XL panels, using a Solaredge inverter, which could make the most of their tree-shaded, west-facing split level roof. The installation took half a day and cost $5,433, plus $650 for their old panels to be recycled. The new system generates nearly twice as much electricity.
The financial benefits of solar are not Jeremy and Kate’s key motivation, but their new system is already making an impact on their power bills.
Where does their motivation come from?
“From the soles of our boots”, says Kate, “to our heart and souls. We started bush regenerating and got gradually more and more concerned about the environment. We want to do what we can.”
This is the first in a series of case studies carried out on behalf of Mosman Council as part of the Mosman Sustainable Living project.
Announcing our first Sunny and Share charity installation.
It looks like just another warehouse backing onto busy Balgowlah Road, but go through the gate and down the path and you find yourself in a little oasis. There’s a community garden, a cafe, and an open space with comfy chairs, work stations and quiet zones. There are friendly smiles and a warm welcome.
Pioneer Clubhouse is a safe, supportive, respectful community of people with lived experience of mental illness, based in Balgowlah on the Northern Beaches. It has been around for 25 years. Members work side by side with staff in the running of the Clubhouse, to complete daily tasks in the kitchen, café, creative hub, garden and office. Through participation, members can rejoin the worlds of friendships, family, employment and education and have access to the services and support they individually need to continue their recovery. Each member is valued, needed and wanted.
A key part of Zero Emission Solutions mission is Sunny and Share, a Community Giving Fund which feeds back donations from individuals and our business partners to benefit local charities. Zero Emissions Solution is thrilled to be working with Pioneer Clubhouse for our very first Sunny and Share charity install. The idea is that by lowering the Pioneer Clubhouse power bills on an ongoing basis, they will have more resources for their core programs for the life of the system. The installation is planned for May 2021.
Ann-Charlott, Solar My House program:
Right from the start, we felt rooftop solar could make a real, ongoing difference to charitable organisations in our area. I’m proud that our first installation is going ahead and I can’t wait to see their roof covered in solar panels!
The project is funded by our Community Giving Fund which receives contributions from our Solar My House partner, Solarpro, and our electricity retailer of choice, Diamond, generated from our public and private events. You can also contribute to the project at Pioneer Clubhouse’s GoFundMe page.
Last Saturday we had electric cars, an electric motorbike, electric bicycles and electric scooters on display. Some were available to test drive as well (scooters and motorbikes for those with a licence).
Commuter bike? No problemNot ready for a test drive yet.Thomas’s customised Zero S Bike
Huge thanks to the Zero Emissions market team volunteers at our stall, the Zero Emissions transport volunteers with cars and bikes, and to Eat my dust Scooters and Energy Electric Bikes.
Hyundai Kona, E-Bike and Tesla Model 3Eat My Dust E-Scooters
Come and visit our next market on May 1 to see the latest in smart and fun ways to reduce your emissions.
You can also meet our friendly volunteers then make a pledge to reduce your emissions. We’ll do our best to answer all your questions about rooftop solar and reducing emissions together.
If you want to explore electric wheels before May 1 why not:
sign up for a Zero Emissions Solutions exclusive TESLA webinar on April 20, including opportunities for test drives.
To join our Zero Emissions Transport working group, contact Ursula Hogben: electric@zeroemissionssolutions.org
Northern Beaches Council has signed a new deal for electricity supply which will save $1.9m, slash their carbon footprint by 80% and support the regional NSW economy.
Under the deal, electricity to Council’s large buildings and all streetlights will be supplied by Infigen, with renewable-sourced electricity generated by wind turbines located on a site at Bodangora, near Wellington.
This deal shaves some nine years off their commitment to swap to 100% renewable energy alternatives, a great outcome for the environment.
Zero Emissions founding member Dof Dickinson says:
Switching to a renewable energy supplier is one of the most important actions you can take to reduce emissions. It only takes five minutes of your time, but its impact lasts forever. If you are interested in taking meaningful action on reducing emissions, switching to a renewable energy supplier like Diamond Energy should be first on your list.
This new electricity supply deal is just part of the Northern Beaches Council ongoing strategy to take action on climate change. Other initiatives include:
the Beacon Hill Community battery
Over 800KW of solar panels installed including the 265kW “power station” solar system at Manly Andrew ‘Boy’ Charlton Aquatic Centre
5 battery electric vehicles and 13 plug-in or hybrid vehicles in Council’s fleet.
School Principals gathered for the first meeting of Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman on February 17. Eight schools from Mosman LGA were represented, plus Cammaray Public School (North Sydney LGA).
Mosman Mayor Carolyn Corrigan welcomed the schools, along with Jenni Hagland, team leader for Zero Emissions Schools, Ursula Hogben, co-founder of Zero Emissions Solutions, and the Mosman Council Sustainability team.
Jenni says:
The energy and enthusiasm was great to see. It was so interesting to hear what every school is doing and find out their motivation for joining the group.
The next meeting of Zero Emissions Schools Network – Mosman LGA will be hosted at Mosman Public School on 19th May. I hope to get a speaker in to talk to the group about school composting and worm farms. This ties in with Mosman Public School because they have just got their gardens going and are working on composting at the moment.
Jenni is launching a regular email newsletter to the group, with news of grants, events and other relevant information. Jenni, Ursula and our team have built an information hub with information, case studies, how-to guides and resources at Zero Emissions Schools. Look out for how-to guides on reducing waste and installing solar.
If you are interested in creating a sustainability group at your school the Zero Emissions Solutions Schools page has a great range of resources to get you started. Jenni is available for one-on-one consultations and you can contact her via schools@zeroemissionssolutions.org.au. Councils can also contact us if Council is interested in a Zero Emissions Schools Network for your LGA.
This Wednesday 17 February representatives from every school in Mosman come together to attend the inaugural meeting of the Zero Emission Schools Network – Mosman. The aim: to take action on sustainability. The Mayor of Mosman, Councillor Carolyn Corrigan, will launch this exciting initiative to help schools establish sustainability programs.
The aim, says Zero Emissions Schools leader, Jenni Hagland, is to motivate each other by sharing ideas and promoting best practice. Most importantly, the initiative aims to develop more schools sustainability action for communities and bring about broader awareness regarding the climate crisis.
Mayor Corrigan – Mosman Council Mayor, Loani Tierney – Environment Education Officer, Jenni – Zero Emissions Schools Network leader, and Ursula Hogben – Zero Emissions Solutions Co-Founder, will be at the launch, along with all of the Mosman LGA schools.
Mosman Public School students announcing the installation of solar panels on their roof.
Find out more
Watch this space to hear how the meeting goes and how the plans unfold. Meanwhile, you might want to visit Australian Parents for Climate Action. This national group campaigns for funding for solar on schools and childcare centres.
Harriet here, aka hello@zeroemissionssolutions.org. Do you want to volunteer for Zero Emissions? I’ll be setting up a jobs page on this website as soon as I get the time but, for now, a quick blogpost about some specific roles we’re looking to fill in our brilliant Zero Emissions Solutions community.
I wish, I wish for…
1. Tent wrangler
What: Packing up our market stall and driving the kit to local storage.
How long: 1 hour
How often: Once a month
On the first Saturday of each month we have a stall at Mosman markets. We pack up around 2.30pm, and we are looking for someone to help. Ideally, you are handy, fit, don’t swear too much, and have the use of a car so that you can help our volunteers dismantle the tent, pack up the bits and pieces and drive them to our storage spot round the corner in Mosman.
What: Curate our instagram account with fun pictures, sassy comments and links to our events / programs
How long: A few minutes a day and a fortnightly meeting on zoom
How often: 4 or 5 times a week
Social media is central to how we keep in touch, network and promote our activities, and at the moment we use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our brilliant insta curator, Camilla Tilly, has gone to Sweden to work with the groundbreaking agricultural cooperative Lantmannen. It’s a tough act to follow, but if you take good photos, want to make a difference, and don’t mind checking in with our comms manager (me) once a fortnight, please get in touch.
What: create video case studies to bring our solar stories to life
How long: Not gunna lie, I know this is very time-consuming. Every bit helps.
How often: completely up to you
Video case studies are incredibly useful for articulating how adding solar to your roof makes sense. We have some budget to pay for video services, but not nearly enough to create the five videos clips we are aiming in 2021. This is a big ask, but it also makes a big impact.
What: help out program leaders when they’re overwhelmed. Might be making cups of tea or picking up printing or sending some emails or walking a dog…
How long: how long is a piece of string?
How often: up to you, but a couple of hours a month would be great
If you’re between jobs, between uni studies, or just have a bit of time now and then and are happy to put your hand to anything, we’d love to hear from you. Volunteer with Zero Emissions Solutions.
Can solar panel systems cause rooftop fires? A front page article in the Sydney Morning Herald today suggests there has been an increase in rooftop fires in recent years. Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Graham Kingsland says fires start in the direct current (DC) isolator switch, usually because of water getting in. The cause of rooftop solar fire risk is faulty installation or manufacture.
We asked David Veal, owner of Clean Energy Council-accredited company Solarpro, whether solar panel owners should be worried.
David’s take:
There are two reasons these isolators catch fire. First, water gets through the fitting because it is badly glued or not glued at all. Second, the wiring is not done correctly and left loose, or the polarity has been crossed.
Take a look at these two roof top isolators.
The isolator on the left is the cheaper of the two by almost $30. I have put some of the fittings below it. These are screwed and glued into the little glands above them. The cables are then fed into the fittings and manually wired into the isolator. This is fiddly and time-consuming. It is a perfect trap for human error.
All cheap companies use these isolators because they are scrimping and saving every dollar. Plus the contractor pays for the extra time wiring them up.
Quality costs a little extra and the devil is in the detail!
The isolator on the right is factory pre-wired, so it is guaranteed to be wired correctly and will not leak. At Solarpro we use these as our standard rooftop isolator and have done since they became available in 2014. With pre-wired ones the installers cannot get it wrong.
The conclusion: a badly-installed, cut-price DC isolator could be a rooftop solar fire risk. But if you use an experienced CEC-accredited installation specialist you can rest assured it will be well-installed and of good quality.
Zero Emissions Solutions runs regular information sessions, via Zoom and in person, hosted by volunteers. We design them to help people make the switch to using renewable energy and rooftop solar.
Our next Solar My House Info Sessionis on Wednesday, February 24, from 6.30-7.45pm. David from Solarpro will be our expert guest speaker. Attendance is free but places are limited, so sign up here as soon as possible.
