Where does your interest in clean energy stem from?

I have worked within the energy efficiency space since 2000. In 2003, I embarked on a solar hot water research and development program with the goal of introducing a new product line into the Australian market. My research took me to China and various other locations where I found a great level of product development in solar thermal technology, and had the opportunity to see what other countries were doing with renewables. I ultimately sourced a solar hot water product from Australia, and it was this business connection that lead me to my current role as General Manager at Conergy Australia.

What does the solar industry need to do to be cost competitive with traditional energy generation? How is Conergy working toward this goal?

I believe that we are almost there. Grid parity – the meeting of traditional power generation costs with that of solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation costs – has almost been reached in most states where the cost of PV is now a viable choice for homeowners and businesses – enabling them to achieve a return on investment within a seven year period. The industry is maturing in manufacturing and enhancements in technology to increase efficiencies and performance. In the immediate and longer term future Conergy will provide system configurations to improve on-site generated power solutions, which shall further enhance the attractiveness of solar power and hot water.

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What has been the greatest achievement of the solar sector, in the past five years?

The demand curve for our products has quadrupled over the past five years and the ability for the industry to manage such as sharp rise in demand is a credit to us all. The trick now is managing the maturation and consolidation stages which will take place over the next five years.

What is an example of a government incentive that you have found particularly helpful to the growth of the solar industry?

I think all incentives have been beneficial to one degree or another. The best example of this would be the Queensland State Government’s current 44 cent feed-in tariff. This has enabled a continued and steady growth path for solar PV without interruption since the program’s introduction in July 2008.

What one piece of advice would you give new entrants to the clean energy industry?

Devise your strategy first. Determine which market segment you wish to operate in – retail or wholesale – and align yourself with a manufacturing partner that will not compete with you and will support your business. Loyalty runs two ways and does pay dividends.

What promising project / technology is your company currently developing?

On the project front, we have completed, or are in the final stages of completing, a number of projects. Conergy designed and supplied over 400 kilowatts (kW) of solar PV for the Queensland State Government emergency call centre in Zillmere, Brisbane. Secondly, Conergy, in partnership with other technology providers, designed a 1.05 megawatt solar system and a 45 kW wind system with battery storage for grid stability in the Northern Territory recently. This project was spread over three sites and provides power to local communities while helping to remove diesel generation. As for technology, keep an eye out for new Conergy product releases in early 2012.