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Sustainable Energy Innovation. A New Era in Solar Dominic Drenen – Manager Solar Energy Systems. Renewable Energy. As an organisation Origin Energy has a strong commitment to ‘Clean Energy Solutions’ We operate businesses providing/supplying the following: Environmental Refrigerants
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Sustainable Energy Innovation A New Era in Solar Dominic Drenen – Manager Solar Energy Systems
Renewable Energy • As an organisation Origin Energy has a strong commitment to ‘Clean Energy Solutions’ • We operate businesses providing/supplying the following: • Environmental Refrigerants • Cogeneration • Wind power • Natural Gas for Vehicles • Geoexchange • Energy efficiency consulting
‘Sustainable Energy Innovation’ Proudly sponsored by Origin Energy
Origin Energy and Solar • From a distributed power perspective, solar is the leading option. • Research and Development • ANU – solar module development with objectives of increased efficiency and reduced cost. Total investment in approx. $4 million to date, pilot plant early 2003. • AES – grid connect inverter objective of reduced cost. Total investment approx. $2.5 million, prototypes being developed bench testing/field testing 3rd quarter 2002. • In advance of having access to our own technology we have entered the retail market as a provider of grid connected solar systems.
Consumer preference is clearly biased towards clean and green % Strongly Support Support Hydro Solar Natural Gas Landfill Gas Wind GeoTherm Oppose Forest Waste Nuclear Coal Source: SMUD – Sacramento Municipal Utility District, March 1997
Origin Energy’s Solar Offer • Offer a comprehensive range of sizes (450 watt plus). • Facilitate the completion of all documentation for the customer. • Competitive buy back rate for electricity exported back to the grid (28c/kWh). • Free consultation and energy advice. • Competitive pricing through Origin Energy's buying power. • Access to approved Australian Greenhouse Office installers. • Extended warranty (panels have a 20 year warranty and an expected useful life of 30 years+). • More than 140 years of experience in the energy business.
What are the costs? • Installed prices for solar systems in Australia are currently running at ~$16/watt. • The AGO PVRP provides a rebate of $5/watt, giving the customer an effective price of ~$11/watt. Return on investment for a 1500 watt system: Capital cost: $14,000 Return: 2,200kWh * 14c/kWh = $308 ROI: $308/$14,000 = 2% (tax free!)
The price of silicon has only slightly decreased in the last decade This is expected because PV uses waste from semiconductor production (PV uses ~10% of total) and therefore cumulative volume much larger and annual cost reduction smaller All prices in US$2002 Source: Silicon study by Walarian Kipiniak
Current Market size • Up to January 2002 the total number of installed grid connected solar units across Australia was 900. • The average installation size is 1kW and therefore the annual national grid connect solar contribution is estimated at 1.5 GWh.
Market Segments • Two distinct market segments: • Retrofit (installing a solar energy system on an existing house), customers reached through: • Yellow Pages, mail outs, advertorials, web page, trade shows, bill inserts, Origin Energy shops. • Range of businesses servicing this market – including Origin Energy. • New Homes, (installing a specific solar package incorporated into the house design), customers reached trough: • Major developers, architects, eco developers, councils. • No supplier servicing this market.
Developer Package • Origin Energy has developed a 450 watt grid connect solar system specifically for new home builders. • After rebate installed price of just over $3,000 or ~$6.70/watt. • Can get to this price through a combination of: • Scale – multiple sales to one customer. • System installation during construction. • Significantly easier approval process reduces cost.
Developer Package • The following developers are now beginning to offer an Origin Energy solar system option to their customers: • Australand Homes • Henley Homes • Metricon Homes • Origin Energy is confident that the uptake by developers of this streamlined solar energy package will result in a quantum increase in solar installations, heralding a new era in Solar.