URGENT: Tasmanian Solar Feed-in-Tariffs at risk

West Hobartians, please take note:
The Tasmanian government is restructuring electricity retailing in this State, to take effect from 1 January 2014. Associated with these changes it is highly likely that the existing fair feed-in tariffs for rooftop solar panels and other small renewable energy technologies will be reviewed and lost or reduced.

The most immediate way that communities can take action is to make submissions to the Energy Reform project right now.  Even a short email of support for the retention of existing feed-in tariff is useful – you do not have to write a detailed submission.

If you have solar PV installed on your roof or are thinking about doing so, you should read this very informative summary of what is happening here: background information PDF.

And then make a submission!  The deadline is only two days away - no need to make it overly complex.  There is an outline of what you might like to say at the end of the above document.

Public meeting tonight 14 March - Proposed development at West Hobart Oval

WHEN supporters, today we received this urgent note:

Dear West Hobart Environment Network,

I am writing to you in my role as Vice President of the Lansdowne Crescent School Community Association to let you know about a proposal by Lady Gowrie to build an administration centre and child care rooms on the existing Council Change rooms at the West Hobart Oval.  The carpark for their development will be in place of our existing school playground. You may have seen an article in the paper about it today.  We are trying to raise the profile of this development and oppose it in its current form.

Tonight we will be having a SPECIAL COMMUNITY MEETING at the school at 7.30pm in the GP room, in the bottom part of the school, parallel to Gourlay Street.  It would be wonderful if someone from your Network could come along to hear what Lady Gowrie is proposing and what we as a community can do to lobby against this proposal.

You can also join the conversation on our Facebook page here.  We would love to partner with you on this issue.

Kind Regards,

Rachel Bain
Vice President of LCPS School Community Association.

Draught Busters in West Hobart

Hi all!  Draught Busters in West Hobart is a new project of WHEN.   This project will help West Hobart residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, in particular via stopping air leaks.    You know, those leaks through window frames, external and internal doors, unused chimneys, skirting boards, exhaust fans and wall vents, etc, that let your expensively warmed air out into the world, and admit the cold winter air into your should-be-cosy house.  Those leaks that give you a draught across your ankles or down your back on cold winter evenings!!

People who take part in the project and stop their leaks will save money on energy bills and be more comfortable. The project is now taking early bird applicants, so you can put your hand up to be involved!

Through the project you will access the latest recommended draughtproofing materials needed to keep your house warmer at half price.  You will receive free training on how to assess what actually needs to be done in your house, and on how to install the draughtproofing materials.    There will also be some hands-on assistance available if you get stuck.  We can provide expert advice and discounted materials through a grant from the State Gevernment’s ‘Earn Your Stars’ program.

The project launches with a workshop on Wednesday 10 April. We hope that the houses involved are all draughtproofed by the end of June, ready for the really cold weather.

Let us know if you would like to participate, and/or if you could host a workshop in your draughty house - you would benefit from having an expert do some of the work for you while the rest of us learn how to do it.

Contact WHEN via whenvnet@gmail.com to register your early expression of interest.  Or call Margaret on 62314751 or Di on 62349908 to have a chat about what is involved.

Solar Power Explained - Community Information Session - Monday 25th February 6.30-8pm

Sustainable Living in Kingston have invited residents of other suburbs to attend a Community Information Session at the KINGSTON BEACH HALL ON MONDAY 25TH FEBRUARY  FROM 6.30-8.00PM.

The Information Session will provide you with information to consider, prior to purchasing solar panels for your home.  SLiK will not be conducting a bulk purchase of systems but this session will provide you with all the background information necessary in order to make the best decision for your situation. If there are a number of people at the session who would like to purchase PV, it may be an opportunity for a number of households to join together and do their own bulk purchase. 

The report attached provides you with the research carried out by Mike Willson. This document is very clear and helps to explain the key issues a prospective Tasmanian buyer needs to consider. He will be available on the evening to answer your questions. We are also hoping to have a couple of installers available as well.  

In addition to the advice provided in Mike's document, I would add:   if you think will be interested in monitoring your ongoing solar energy production both daily and over time, and also in using this data in order to calculate your household electricity consumption, you should choose an Inverter which includes Bluetooth as a data transfer channel. A number of brands of Inverter offer this as a standard feature.

Here's the flyer for the event.