POTENTIAL USE OF SOLAR PANELS BY AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES Essay Example

POTENTIAL USE OF SOLAR PANELS BY AUSTRALIAN BUSINESSES

Prepared by (Student’s Name)

Introduction

Solar energy is produced whenever power from the sunlight is easily converted into usable electricity (Mills, 2004). Electricity can then be used for different purposes within the Australian businesses premises like heating and powering electronic gadgets that are deemed important for overall operations (Mekhilef, Saidur, & Safari, 2011). It is important to understand that there are currently two forms of solar energy technologies that include; photovoltaic (PV) that converts sunlight into electricity using PV cells and solar thermal, which is focused on conversion of solar radiation into overall heat energy (Mekhilef, Saidur, & Safari, 2011). Over the recent period, there has been increased popularity of the use of solar energy by different businesses and especially SMEs across the country. This is mainly attributed to the fact that it is affordable; reliable and environmental friendly. The focus of this research paper is on examining the potential use of solar energy by Australian businesses in their day-to-day operations.

Background

At the present moment, Australia enjoys a great deal of solar energy resources when compared to most of the other parts of the world. In fact, research indicates that it is the top notch continent with an enormous solar radiation per square meter. To be specific, it can be ascertained that the desert regions as well as northwest parts of this continent provides the highest radiation within Australia (Bainbridge, 2017). Notably, the country’s solar energy consumption currently stands at 0.1% of overall fundamental consumption. In a bid to promote this type of energy and especially to small and medium-sized businesses, the Australian government has continued to play a distinctive role in the provision of solar energy (Bainbridge, 2017). For instance, feed-in-tariffs were launched by a good number of Australian states including Queensland and Adelaide for purposes of increasing the underlying degree of solar PV energy already generated. For most businesses, these state-based initiatives have been designed and implemented in such a way that the incentives availed is directed towards minimisation of costs; maximisation of savings and thus, help to bring about profits for these SMEs (Energy Matters, 2017). The Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) is a government-based tool that has focused on promoting the adoption of solar energy for both households and small businesses in equal measure (Energy Matters, 2017). Statistically, such states as Queensland have successfully installed more than 25 megawatts of capacity of PV related energy that is enough to provide solar power to at least 5,500 both homes and businesses (Energy Matters, 2017). There are also installations being conducted in South Australia; New South Wales as well as Victoria to execute the same purpose.

Methodology

For this research paper, the study adopts a qualitative model of research methodology. It is important to note that qualitative approach is directly concerned with a subjective assessment of attitudes; opinions as well as overall behaviours of research materials (Kothari, 2004). Certainly, the research study would ensure to adopt substantial insights and impressions in relations to whether Australian businesses will be fairly-positioned to adopt solar energy and the benefits that they are expected to enjoy from doing so. It is crucial to note that the research problem for this study is; ‘Solar Panels can be used successfully by Australian Businesses’. In conducting this research, the paper will focus on utilising archival research data that can be accessed from numerous databases like newspapers; EBSCOhost, blogs and government websites (Marczyk, DeMatteo, & Festinger, 2005). The analysis of this data will be inform of adopting a set of underlying theoretical perspectives in order to expound on the informational data accessed from the archival documents as well as government websites. It is important to understand that the study will certainly focus on analysing data related to the different platforms and try to define and justify the validity of their information from numerous scholar articles and journals that touch on use of solar power energy for businesses. They are a different number of these scholarly materials that provide general information on how businesses can successfully implement solar panels in their day-to-day operations and the set of benefits that emanate from these efforts. In conducting this study, the only limitation will be trying to justify some of the information to fit-in with the Australian businesses since most of it is provided on a general terms. However, this limitation will be offset by adopting a great number of scholarly journals to justify the reliability of information from the different aforementioned platforms.

References List

Bainbridge, A. 2017. ‘Solar Panel Installations Skyrocket in Australia’. ABC News. Accessed from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-14/solar-panel-installations-skyrocket-in-australia/8443550

Energy Matters. 2017. ‘Solar Power Incentives, Loans & Rebates for Small Businesses’. Accessed from http://www.energymatters.com.au/rebates-incentives/solar-incentives-business/

Kothari, C.R., 2004. Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International

Mills, D., 2004. Advances in solar thermal electricity technology. Solar Energy, vol.76, no.1, pp.19-31.

Mekhilef, S., Saidur, R. & Safari, A., 2011. A review on solar energy use in industries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol.15, no.4, pp.1777-1790

Marczyk, G., DeMatteo, D. & Festinger, D., 2005. Essentials of research design and methodology. John Wiley & Sons Inc.