SilexSolar products enable NSW residents to take full advantage of the new 'Gross Feed in Tariff' announced by the NSW Government in November 2009 and becoming effective 1st January 2010.
SilexSolar makes changes for the future
SilexSolar have recently made changes to secure its long term future and to remain a key player in the Australian PV panel market.
Unfortunately aspects of the release (16th November 2011) have been distored in media coverage and we would like this opportunity to clarify SilexSolar's current position.
Click here to download our announcement about recent changes.
Click here to download the Silex Systems Limited announcement of the Silex Solar PV restructure.
Powering On - SilexSolar changes for the future
SilexSolar have recently made changes to secure its long term future and to remain a key player in the Australian PV panel market.
Unfortunately media coverage this morning (16th August 2011) of the announcement has distorted the message.
As such we would like to make it clear that the changes made are to secure Silex Solar's long term future and to remain a key player in the Australian PV panel market. We will continue to manufacture PV panels at Sydney Olympic Park.
Furthermore Silex Solar is committed to growing our market share through ongoing product development and marketing of world class PV panels, demonstrated by the release of our latest "Black Series" product range.
Click here to download our announcement about recent changes.
Click here to download the Silex Systems Limited announcement of the Silex Solar PV restructure.
Silex Solar Restructure - Media Release
Silex Systems Limited's (ASX:SLX) wholly owned subsidiary Silex Solar Pty Ltd today announced a restructure of its silicon PV panel business based at Sydney Olympic Park. The restructure involves management and operational changes intended to enhance the business' competitiveness.
Silex Systems Limited (ASX: SLX) (”Silex”) is pleased to announce that wholly owned subsidiary SilexSolar Pty Ltd, in conjunction with consortium partner Todae Solar, has completed the installation of solar panels at Parliament House in Canberra with the solar panels being switched on by the Department of Parliamentary Services (“DPS”) Secretary, Alan Thompson.
SilexSolar and Todae Solar were awarded a contract by the DPS in April, following a competitive tender process, to undertake the project which forms part of the DPS’s efforts to reduce energy consumption at Parliament House.
Silex CEO Dr Michael Goldsworthy said, “It has been a collaborative team effort and a great experience working alongside the DPS project team.”
“The project was completed in a compressed timeline due to Parliament sitting for three weeks during the installation schedule,”
Dr Goldsworthy continued.
“This project showcases the world-leading technology of SilexSolar, Australia’s only integrated photovoltaic cell and solar panel manufacturer.”
The solar panels are installed on the roof of the Senate wing and the gardener’s compound of Parliament House and will be integrated into the building management infrastructure.
Project Summary
Over 230 solar panels and five inverters installed
Peak system capacity of 43 kilowatts
Project completed in nine weeks (three of which included Parliamentary sitting weeks)
Completed wind-loading and structural certification processes
Completed lightning protection and solar panel bonding under protection systems
Removal and replacement of some 50 cubic metres of roof stone ballast moved
CHINESE solar panel makers were among the biggest beneficiaries of half a billion dollars in public subsidies to the rooftop solar panel industry last year, prompting their only Australian rival to cry foul.
A new report has shown Australia last year imported photovoltaic technology worth $1.1 billion -- effectively halving the value of the industry to the local economy.
Michael Goldsworthy, chief executive of Silex, Australia's only maker of home solar panels on a commercial scale, said overseas manufacturers, led by the Chinese, were able to offer big discounts because of government production subsidies at home, and held about 95 per cent of the Australian market.
Dr Goldsworthy said his competitors also benefited indirectly from Australian subsidy schemes for solar, which had dramatically boosted demand in the last two years. "All the equipment, except for our little bit, comes from overseas, so what's the good of that?" Dr Goldsworthy said. "It's trampling over Australian local manufacturing."
For the full article in The Australianclick here >
Energy Wise Group at the Green Fair in Brisbane
Darrell and the team at Energy Wise Group are proud suppliers and installers of SilexSolar Panels. They recently attended the Green Fair in Brisbane with a large marque. Crowds at the fair were delighted to know that they could purchase Australian Made Solar Panels and kept the Energy Wise Group team busy with enquries.
Darrell with the Lord Major of Brisbane at the recent Green Fair in Brisbane.
WA Solar Bonus Scheme - Changes
The Western Australian Government has announced changes to the residential net feed-in tariff scheme following a review by the Office of Energy.
A new rate of 20 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) will apply to all applications received from 1 July 2011. As with the original scheme, system owners will receive payments for 10 years.
Taking into account the new rate and the recent change in the Federal Government's Solar Credits program, the Office of Energy forecasts that most residents will be able to pay off their renewable energy systems well within the 10-year payment period, as originally
intended. The State Government has also announced that the scheme will close when the total capacity of renewable energy systems installed under the feed-in tariff scheme reaches 150 megawatts (MW). To date, almost 70MW of capacity have been accepted into the scheme.
1. How will these changes affect you?
Existing feed-in tariff customers will not be affected by the rate change.
New renewable energy system owners will be assessed for the 40c/kWh rate if:
• their complete and correct application forms are received by their electricity retailer (Synergy or Horizon Power) by 30 June 2011; and
• their renewable energy system and necessary metering equipment is installed and connected to the electricity grid by 30 September 2011.
Any customer who submits an application to their electricity retailer from 1 July 2011 will be assessed for the new rate of 20c/kWh. The closing date of 30 June 2011 is fixed. No extensions will be granted.
SilexSolar has recently installed a number of new robots and add another production shift in order to increase output capacity.
Demand for the Australian Made solar panels by consumers has been a driving force in increasing the Homebush Bay manufacturing plants output capabilities.
To view more SilexSolar videos visit out YouTube page
NSW Solar Bonus Scheme - CLOSED 13 May 2011
NSW GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES CLOSURE OF SOLAR BONUS SCHEME
The NSW Government has today moved to ease the cost burden of the Solar Bonus Scheme by announcing the Scheme's permanent closure to new applicants.
NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher said the Government was closing the Scheme to new applicants effective midnight 28 April 2011 and will introduce legislation to Parliament as soon as possible to support these changes.
"This is a Scheme that from the outset has been characterised by policy failure and an extraordinary level of mismanagement," Mr Hartcher said.
"We believe this to be a fair and responsible measure to reduce the burden imposed on NSW taxpayers."
The total cost of the Solar Bonus Scheme is expected to reach up to $1.9 billion.
Mr Hartcher said the Government would honour applications received by network businesses before the hold was imposed.
"Applications received prior to the 29 April 2011 but yet to be connected to the Scheme will be progressed and considered under the eligibility criteria."
All SilexSolar "SLX" series solar panels purchased from 1st October 2010, they will now carry the new improved SilexSolar panel warranty of:
10 Year Limited Warranty of Materials and Workmanship
12 Year Limited Warranty of 90% of Maximum Power
25 Year Limited Warranty of 80% of Maximum Power
A SilexSolar spokesperson explained: "The great majority of PV panels currently on the market provide a warranty offer of : 5-12-25 year. The extended SilexSolar warranty provides our customers with a genuine high quality Australian made product, backed by a very generous warranty; one of the best in the industry. The SilexSolar's decision to extend its warranty is based on the following reasons:
a) It's considerable legacy expertise in solar panel manufacturing,
b) SilexSolar's confidence in its very strenuous compliance to maintaining product standards and quality,
c) A commercial response and a point of differentiation in the warranty other solar panels.
SilexSolar has recently added a Blog to the
web site. Articles and categories will be regularly updated and reviewed so we welcome your contribution to the Blog. > Visit the Blog
Radio Interview about Solar Power
Brigid Mullane from the Diffusion program on
2SER 107.3FM recently interviewed Rod Seares
from Silex Solar about how Solar Cells and
Solar Panels are made, how they work and how
they are applicable to Home Solar Systems and
Commerical applications.
Click on the YouTube Link to play the informative 8 minute interview.
SilexSolar Factory visits...
Recently, the team from Coast to Country Solar and Solar Energy NSW, both distributors for Solar Juice visited the
SilexSolar's manufacturing facility at Sydney Olympic Park.
The teams were given a tour of the plant, and
briefing session about SilexSolar and the local PV market. > more
Above: The Coast to Country Solar team
Above: The Solar Energy NSW team
Victorian Government PV Solar Initiative
Victorian Premier John Brumby announced on the
21st of July that five per cent of the State's electricity
would come from solar power by 2020, through incentives
encouraging industrial solar power stations and medium-sized
commercial installations in places such as the roofs of shopping
centres.
"This commitment to a sustainable future for
Victoria should see the establishment of between five and ten
large solar plants across regional Victoria" Mr Brumby
said.
"As a result of this initiative, Victoria
will have up to 25% of its power coming from renewable energy by
2020."
The ATRAA Conference 2010 Conference was recently held in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The ATRAA Conference is largest dedicated PV solar conference of its type to be held in Australia annually, attracting a wide range of industry players including: manufacturers, Federal and State government policy makers, academics, electrical utilities, PV wholesalers and retailers, PV installers and renewable energy enthusiasts. SilexSolar and a number of our distributors attended and were involved at the conference. > more
L-R: Directors of Todae Solar, Tirone and Danin Kahn at the formal dinner with Rod and Helen Seares from SilexSolar.
L-R: Fedda Rami and Andrew Burgess directors of Solar Juice with one of their key distributors Damien Slaven of Soltek Solar
National and foundation SilexSolar distributor Solco Choice Electric presented an impressive display stand at the recent ATRAA 2010 Conference which featured SilexSolar very prominently
SA Solar Panel owners receive extra 10 cent bonus
SOLAR panel owners will get an extra 10c bonus for the excess electricity they feed back into the grid over the next 16 months, Premier Mike Rann announced on the 31st August..
The increase to 54c a kilowatt hour for households and groups with electricity-generating solar panels returning excess power back to the grid would run until the solar generation capacity from smaller users reached an expected 60 megawatts (MW) by December 2011, he said.
Incentives have created 250 new solar panel installations a week with 18,000 SA households and groups now generating a combined 25MW.
"We will urge retailers to pay for the power they receive from solar panel owners," Mr Rann told a luncheon for the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) yesterday.
The ATRAA Conference 2010 Conference was recently held in Alice Springs in the Northern Territory. The ATRAA Conference is largest dedicated PV solar conference of its type to be held in Australia annually, attracting a wide range of industry players including: manufacturers, Federal and State government policy makers, academics, electrical utilities, PV wholesalers and retailers, PV installers, renewable energy enthusiasts. SilexSolar and a number of our distributors attended and were involved at the conference.
L-R: Directors of Todae Solar, Tirone and Danin Kahn at the formal dinner with Rod and Helen Seares from SilexSolar.
L-R: Fedda Rami and Andrew Burgess directors of Solar Juice with one of their key distributors Damien Slaven of Soltek Solar
National and foundation SilexSolar distributor Solco Choice Electric presented an impressive display stand at the recent ATRAA 2010 Conference which featured SilexSolar very prominently)
Concentrator PV solar power plant at Hermannsburg
One of the key show cases at the ATRAA 2010 conference held in Alice Springs, was a day field trip for Conference attendees to visit and inspect the Concentrator PV (CPV) power plant at Hermannsburg. This CPV system was originally designed, built and installed by Solar Systems Ltd based in Melbourne Victoria. Silex Systems (parent company to SilexSolar) earlier this year acquired Solar Systems, and is currently undertaking a product development program to release the next generation of CPV technologies that includes Parabolic Dish configuration (like Hermannsburg) as well as the Heliostat Configuration (i.e. Centralised tower with field mirrors). The first project announced by the Victorian Premier john Brumby last month will be installed in Mildura Victoria and will use these new CPV technologies.
Factory Tour Visits
The team from Coast to Country Solar and Solar Energy NSW, both major distributors of Solar Juice visited the SilexSolar’s manufacturing facility at Sydney Olympic Park. The Solar Switch and Solar Energy NSW teams were given a tour of the plant, and briefing session about SilexSolar and the local PV market.
Coast to Country Solar is an Illawarra based supplier and Installer of Quality Solar Systems for Both Residential and commercial applications.
C2C Solar, as they are better known, is run by a group of Local Solar experts who have teamed up to bring renewable technologies, of note Solar, to residents of the Illawarra, Eurobadalla, Sutherland, Wingecarribee, Wollindilly and even out to Wagga and the Riverina!
Photo: Aleksanda, Peter, Sebastiaan and Andrew from C2C with Andrew Burgess from Solar Juice and John Patel from SilexSolar.
Solar Energy NSW isa one stop shop for Solar Energy Solutions.
Their goal is to provide an affordable Solar Technology Products that not only fit your budget- but will be the right choice to help you reduce or even kill your energy bill.
Our team has over 6 years combined experience in the Solar and Construction Industry and we use only the best tradesman and components
to guarantee the job gets done properly.
Victoria is set to become Australia’s solar state through a plan to increase Victoria’s electricity supply from large scale-solar power to five per cent by 2020, Premier John Brumby announced on the 21st of July 2010.
Mr Brumby visited Silex’s solar test facility in Bridgewater with Environment and Climate Change Minister Gavin Jennings and said the five per cent target was Australia’s most ambitious solar commitment and would be backed by the nation’s first feed-in tariff for large-scale solar.
“As a result of this initiative, Victoria will have up to 25 per cent of its power coming from renewable energy by 2020.” Mr Brumby said.
The solar initiatives announced today will complete a three-pronged approach to meeting the five per cent solar target through driving investment in small, medium and large scale generation, coupled with established initiatives including:
• The Brumby Labor Government’s $50 million contribution towards the $450 million large-scale solar project being delivered by Silex, as well as the Premium Feed-in Tariff for Households; and
• The Brumby Labor Government’s contribution of $100 million towards a Victorian Solar Flagships bid and the rollout of 10 projects from the $5 million Solar Hubs program announced in the Jobs For The Future Economy: Green Jobs Action Plan.
The solar initiative released follows the Victorian Government’s announcement to double the Victorian Energy Efficiency Target to cut Victoria’s greenhouse gas emissions by 5.4 million tonnes a year.
Mr Brumby said these new measures and today’s nation-leading commitment to solar energy were part of the Victorian Government’s landmark Climate Change White Paper to be released later this month.
Brumby shows his solar flair - Clean Energy Council
Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said the policy should deliver investment and jobs in regional Victoria, develop emerging industries and help reduce the state’s greenhouse emissions.
“Mr Brumby is to be congratulated for demonstrating real leadership in developing a world-class renewable energy industry in Victoria,” he said.
Silex subsidiary Solar Sytems Pty Ltd was honored to host Vicotrian Premier, the Hon John Brumby MP, at its Bridgewater Solar Facility to announce key policy and funding initiatives. In conjunction with this announcement, Solar Systems is pleased to confirm the recent finalisation of arrangements with the Victorian Government for funding of up to $50M for a 154MW power station planned for Mildura in north west Victoria.
SilexSolar Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silex Systems Ltd, has announced a significant expansion in PV Panel production capacity at its Sydney Olympic Park (SOP) manufacturing facility, in response to strong demand for its high quality, high efficiency Australian-made panels from the domestic rooftop solar panel market.
The increase in panel production capacity will be implemented in two stages, the first of which is planned for the fourth quarter of 2010 with the scheduled installation of state-of-the-art automated assembly equipment which will take the capacity from ~13MW p.a. currently to ~20MW p.a. by early 2011 (calendar). Depending on continuing demand, the second stage of equipment upgrades will occur in the middle of 2011 (calendar) to further increase the annual panel production capacity to approximately 35MW. The total capital expenditure for the two-stage upgrade will be in the order of A$2 million.
“This is good news for SilexSolar” Dr Michael Goldsworthy, Silex CEO said today. “With the Australian residential rooftop panel market growing strongly from 80MW in 2009 to a forecast 130MW in 2010, we have seen very strong demand for our Australian-made PV panels across the country. With margins in the global PV market tight, it is important that we increase our production capacity and improve solar cell efficiency in order to remain competitive” he added.
Recently this month, the team from Solar Switch, a major distributor to Solar Juice visited the SilexSolar’s manufacturing facility at Sydney Olympic Park. The Solar Switch team were given a tour of the plant, and briefing session about SilexSolar and the local PV market.
Solar Switch Pty Ltd is an Australian family owned company committed to making solar electricity affordable without compromising on quality... this is a lifetime investment after all. Solar Switch has successfully installed over two and a half thousand grid connect solar electricity systems for homes, businesses and schools working with prestigious clients such as Kennards Hire and Sydney City Council. We only use the highest quality solar panels, from reputable multi-national companies, which carry a 25 year manufacturer's warranty that is held here in Australia. SolarSwitch now also offer Australian made and owned solar panels from SilexSolar.
Photo: Left to right Keal Wilson, Kevin Ferrari, Robert Smith, Kate Westwood, Robert Flack, Gareth Woodham, Adam Tesoriero, Dean Chrichton, Jackie Tremain, Damien Maurice, Leonie Kandelas, Joe Oliveri, Terry Sinclair.
This conference is a very important annual event on the Australian renewable energy industry calendar, and this year attracted many of the world’s leading participants specialising in renewable technologies including: PV solar, wind, solar thermal, biomass etc.
Solarscape used this conference to showcase the SLX series solar panels to participants and invited guests. Solarscape directors Peter Oliphant and Rod Capuano reported back that the market response for the SilexSolar product has exceeded all expectations.
SilexSolar Enters New Research Partnership
Recently, the Federal Government through the Australian Solar Institute awarded a A$5m grant to the collaborative partnership consisting of SilexSolar, UNSW and Suntech to develop advanced PV cell technology.
“This is a great result for SilexSolar and a fantastic opportunity to pool together some of the
world’s best solar technology talent to develop higher efficiency solar cells and ultimately
lower the cost of solar power for all Australians and consumers in off-shore markets,” Dr
Michael Goldsworthy, Silex CEO said today. “This is the most effective way to catapult
SilexSolar into the top group of solar technology companies who are leading the industry
towards a sustainable and profitable future. The partnership will allow SilexSolar to achieve
its first goal – to achieve maximum performance and economic benefit from conventional
silicon-based solar cell technology. We will then be well-placed to further our second goal of
developing new materials and ever-higher performance from solar technology,” he added.
“SilexSolar and UNSW are ideal partners for this solar research project, made possible by
the vision and leadership of the Australian Solar Institute. Our long-term research
collaborations with Australian organizations are central to driving solar innovation,” said Dr.
Zhengrong Shi, Chairman and CEO of Suntech, a graduate of UNSW, as well as a fellow at
the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE). “As our earth
suffers under the strains of fossil fuel energy production, we are empowering individuals and
communities in Australia and around the world to look up and harness nature’s cleanest and
most abundant energy resource.”
The Labour Government’s Renewable Energy Target scheme will be enhanced to provide greater certainty for households, employees and businesses within the renewable energy industry, as we build the low pollution economy of the future.
The SRES will cover small-scale technologies such as solar panels and solar hot water systems and deliver the remainder of the target. It will provide a fixed price of $40 per megawatt hour of electricity produced, providing direct support for households that take action to reduce emissions.
Under this fixed price, a Sydney household that installs a 1.5 kilowatt solar panel system in 2011 will benefit from an up front subsidy of $6200. If the same household decides to install a typical solar water heater they will receive $1200 in support under the SRES.
Announcement by NSW Government that the NSW Solar Bonus Scheme will be based on a ‘Gross Feed-in Tariff’, thereby delivering strong incentives for NSW householders to invest in rooftop solar panels such as those manufactured by SilexSolar.
According to the Premier’s News Release (link below), the NSW Gross Feed-in Tariff will pay households 60 cents for every kilowatt hour of electricity produced by solar panel systems of up to 10kW capacity, providing a 62 percent increase in returns compared to the previous scheme announced earlier this year. This
would reduce the pay-back time to around eight years, making solar power a more
economically attractive way to produce clean renewable energy.
SilexSolar is a membership of the Clean Energy Council.
The CEC is a membership based industry association representing the clean energy and energy efficiency sectors. It has more than 300 member companies involved in the development or deployment of clean energy and energy efficiency technologies including wind, hydro, wave and ocean, solar photovoltaic and thermal, bioenergy, solar hot water, geothermal and co generation.
The Council is an incorporated not-for-profit association and is headquartered in Melbourne.
Its primary role is to develop and advocate effective policy to accelerate the deployment and development of the industry and improve its efficiency.
Sydney: March 18, 2010:
The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) today released its final electricity regulated retail price determination for the 3 years to June 2013. This determination will apply to the majority of small NSW customers that have not entered into a negotiated tariff. > more
SilexSolar Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Silex Systems Ltd, has announced a significant expansion in PV Panel production capacity at its Sydney Olympic Park (SOP) manufacturing facility, in response to strong demand for its high quality, high efficiency Australian-made panels from the domestic rooftop solar panel market. view announcement
May 2010
The Federal Government through the Australian Solar Institute awarded a A$5m grant to the collaborative partnership consisting of SilexSolar, UNSW and Suntech to develop advanced PV cell technology. view announcement
April 2010
SilexSolar's first orders approaching 1MW.
SilexSolar signed our first distributor agreement with Solar Juice. Negotiations with a number of other distributors nationwide will conclude shortly.
Deliveries to Solar Juice are to commence this month for 600+ panels in April and greater numbers in future.
March 2010
Silex Systems Ltd (Silex) announced on the 16th March 2010 that it has completed the acquisition of the assets of Melbourne based Solar Systems Group (SSG). The assets have been acquired in a wholly owned subsidiary of Silex Systems. view announcement
March 2010
The SilexSolar panel manufacturing plant at Sydney Olympic Park commences volume production. In parallel, its sales and marketing initiatives swing into action.
February 2010
SilexSolar receives notice from TÜV Rheinland Labs in Japan of successful certification of first generation solar panels.
November 2009
SilexSolar becomes a member of the Clean Energy Council.
October 2009
SilexSolar achieves 17% cell efficiency and a batch of the SLX180 mono-silicon panels is successfully produced and delivered to TÜV (Japan) for panel design qualification and type approvals.
August 2009
SilexSolar reactivates the SOP site. SilexSolar Engineering and Technology team formed.
June 2009
Silex Systems Ltd announces the successful acquisition of BP Solar's SOP PV cell and panel manufacturing facility.
May 2009
Silex Systems Ltd announces to the ASX its intention to acquire BP Solar's SOP PV cell and panel manufacturing facility.
Increasing PV Output
SilexSolar as part of its significant expansion at its Sydney
Olympic Park (SOP) manufacturing facility has developed and installed a number of new robots to help increase capacity to meet demand as more >
Silex Solar Pty Ltd
(ABN: 91 124 926 085) 2 Australia Avenue
(Sydney Olympic Park)
Homebush Bay NSW 2127
AUSTRALIA
Tel: +61 (2) 9704 8888
