Australian Government Renewable Energy Grants

To its credit the Australian Government has a number of renewable programs and grant schemes. The Photovoltaic Rebate Programme will be of most interest to householders. PVRP provides rebates for installing solar panels or wind power on your roof:

• AEST - Advanced Electricity Storage Technologies - identifies and promotes strategically important advanced storage technologies
  
• PVRP - Photovoltaic Rebate Programme - rebates for householders and owners of community use buildings
  
• REDI - Renewable Energy Development Initiative - grants for renewable energy innovation and commercialisation
  
• RRPGP - Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme - supporting renewable energy in remote areas
  
• REEF - Renewable Energy Equity Fund - provides venture capital for small innovative renewable energy companies
  
• LETA - Low Emissions Technology and Abatement - local deployment, industry development and export of renewable energy technologies
  
• MRET - Mandatory Renewable Energy Target -sourcing an additional 9,500 GWh of Australia's electricity from renewable sources
  
• Solar Cities - demonstrating how solar power, smart meters, energy efficiency and new approaches to electricity pricing can combine to provide a sustainable energy future in urban locations throughout Australia
  

From: Renewable Energy in Australia - Government Programmes, Department of the Environment and Water Resources, 2006

There are also some state government programs listed:

• Australian Capital Territory
• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Of course if these governments were to simply adjust the thermostats in their offices, it might have a bigger impact on energy use. Government buildings are maintained at around 22 degrees plus or minus 1 degree. If allowed to fluctuate between 19 to 26 degrees C, they may be actually more comfortable as well as saving energy.