Question On Notice No. 1959 asked in the Legislative Council on 12 March 2019 by Hon Tim Clifford
Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment representing the Minister for Energy
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Question
(1) I refer to question without notice No. 39 asked in the Legislative Council on 13 February 2019 by Hon Tim Clifford, and ask will the Minister please provide a copy of a report completed by the Public Utilities Office (PUO) which documents the results of a 2012 pilot project undertaken by the PUO in collaboration with the Housing Authority and which examined and reported on the viability of installing solar photovoltaic panels on public housing properties?
(2) In relation to the installation of solar photvoltaic panels or any other renewable technologies on social, public or community housing, has the PUO undertaken any further research and if so will the Minister please provide copies of relevant reports?
Answered on 9 April 2019
- The 2012 solar photovoltaic (PV) in public housing pilot project was led and managed by the then Department of Housing, although the Public Utilities Office provided funding and technical support. The Public Utilities Office undertook an analysis of the pilot project, but no formal report was produced. The analysis found that the pilot project was successfully implemented in 2012-13 by the Department of Housing, delivering average annual savings of $334 to individual recipients through avoided electricity purchases and exports under the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (based on 2016-17 electricity tariffs and buyback rates). Further, the analysis found that the Department of Housing effectively used its procurement powers and standard contract management practices to deliver the pilot project within budget, with a very low component failure rate, and no injuries to tenants or suppliers.
- The Public Utilities Office is currently investigating potential initiatives to install rooftop solar PV systems on social, public or community housing. This work has not been finalised and no formal reports are available.