Tony Abbott has restated his sceptical views on climate change, and suggested the world may be getting cooler, as the Australian Academy of Science released a new report warning of the future impact of global warming.

The Opposition Leader said he accepted ''that climate change is real'', but he did not back away from his view, based in part on the work of the Australian climate sceptic Ian Plimer, that the world is getting colder.

Asked by the ABC's Four Corners if he still disputed that humans are responsible for climate change, Mr Abbott said: ''Sure, but that's not really relevant at the moment. We have agreed to get a 5 per cent emissions reduction target.''

He suggested he harboured doubts about the work of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations body charged with collating global warming research.

''I certainly think that there is a credible scientific counterpoint but, in the end, I'm not going to win an argument over the science, I'll leave that to the scientists,'' he told Four Corners.

''I have pointed out in the past that there was that high year a few years ago, and … if you believe the various measuring organisations, [the temperature] hasn't increased, but again the point is not the science, the point is how should government respond and we have a credible response that will achieve a 5 per cent reduction by 2020 and the government doesn't.''

Mr Abbott was referring to global temperatures in 1998, which coincided with a heat-inducing El Nino cycle, and by some measures was slightly hotter than 2005. However, the same measurements show that the warming trend has continued steadily since the late 1990s.

Neither the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, nor Mr Abbott, could say when Australia's greenhouse gas emissions needed to peak if the country was to achieve its minimum agreed emissions cut of 5 per cent by 2020.

The Coalition has pledged to meet the commitment principally by paying farmers to absorb more carbon dioxide into the soil, though it insists that its payments do not constitute a ''carbon price''.

The Labor Party will also attempt to soak up more carbon in the soil, but says its preferred mechanism for cutting emissions is still an emissions trading scheme, which it will consider introducing in 2013.

The renewed argument over the science of climate change comes as a study of 300 federal, state and local government political leaders, by the University of Queensland, suggests sharp differences in beliefs and understanding around global warming between the Coalition and Labor parties.

Coalition MPs were less likely to believe climate change is happening, and showed less trust in scientists, although the results reflected only those who decided to take part in the survey. Forty-one federal MPs, 101 state MPs and 69 local government representatives took part.

The results showed 38 per cent of Coalition politicians believed the world was getting warmer because of human-induced carbon emissions, compared with 57 per cent of non-aligned politicians, 89 per cent of Labor politicians and 98 per cent of Greens.

''This difference is unlikely to have occurred by chance,'' said Dr Kelly Fielding, of the university's Institute for Social Science. ''What it shows is that a much higher proportion of Liberal-National politicians are uncertain in their views, whereas on average the Labor politicians are more likely to agree with the statements made by scientists.''

Source: Cool Melbourne. 

It goes without saying that solar electric systems do well in sunny climates. All else equal, the more sun, the better. Regions that get the most sun, however, often come with a lot of dust, which can be a drag on solar panel efficiency. In the absence of rain showers - which typically do a fine job at rinsing panels - what's a solar energy system owner to do? Well, a group of clever scientists, which yesterday presented a report at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society, may have the answer.

The self-cleaning technology involves deposition of a transparent, electrically sensitive material deposited on glass or a transparent plastic sheet covering the panels. Sensors monitor dust levels on the surface of the panel and energize the material when dust concentration reaches a critical level. The electric charge sends a dust-repelling wave cascading over the surface of the material, lifting away the dust and transporting it off of the screen's edges.

Inspired by a solution that was originally developed by NASA for use on Mars, the technology has the potential to save labour hours and, perhaps more important, water - a precious resource in arid climates.

The leader of the study, Malay K. Mazumder, noted that even small amounts of dust can pose challenges. "A dust layer of one-seventh of an ounce per square yard decreases solar power conversion by 40 per cent," he said. "In Arizona, dust is deposited each month at about 4 times that amount. Deposition rates are even higher in the Middle East, Australia, and India."

While homeowners may still find it easiest to get out the garden hose, this self-cleaning solar panel technology is evidence that folks in the industry are working hard to find smart solutions to a range of issues.

It's been a severe problem facing the solar PV industry for some time now and there's no blue skies on the horizon either. The cost of installing a solar system has become affordable for most Australians, but these people who are ready to take up clean energy are being pushed to the back of a very long line. The global shortage on panels has created an installation backlog of anywhere from 4 - 8 weeks, in some cases longer as shipments get delayed or held up at the docks.

Solar panel shortages have come about because manufacturers are shipping most of their panels to places like Germany and Japan where they can fetch a higher price for their product. Glenn Harris, spokesman for Energy Outfitters, a distributor of solar panels was asked back in 2004 if this was a crisis to which he replied "No", one can't help but disagree as 6 years later the problem has not improved much, if at all. The biggest concern for our industry at large is that hesitant customers could be turned off due to the wait on installations.

Installation backlogs have also been amplified as our industry faces a global shortage on solar inverters, again, this is due to manufacturers shipping most of their product to countries where they can sell their product for more.

There have been some articles floating around recently about manufacturers bulking up their production capabilities, hopefully this eventuates sooner rather than later and we see some relief in regards to panel and inverter supplies. We will keep you all updated on the progress being made as news comes to hand so watch this space.

Regardless of wait times, the earlier you can sign yourself up the better as you will lock yourself in for the current rebates and tariffs on offer, we all know how quickly these can be changed or scrapped all together, remember the insualtion rebate?

Additionally, we have seen price rise upon price rise for electricity, with more to come, so now is a great time to invest in solar power for your home and avoid the hefty price rises predicted to come over the next few years.

We found an article in last Saturday's Herald Sun (14th August 2010) and thought it would be of great use to our visitors as it will help you save money on your power bills. The article was a run down of things you can do to reduce your electricity consumption at home.

Get a better hot water system:

Water heating makes up 21% of energy use in Victorian homes. A more efficient system could save you between $180 and $500 a year. Gas and heat pump hot water systems are both good options; solar is better still.

Ditch your downlights:

Halogen downllights are low voltage, but that doesn't make them low energy. It can take 12 to light a room that might have used just two ordinary globes. Replace where possible. If you keep existing lights, invest in covers, which reduce the fire risk without leaving a hole in the insualtion.

Get some window shading:

Shading can cut down the amount of heat coming through windows in summer by 85%. Install awnings, external blinds, a pergola, or grow plants for shade. Reflective paper stuck on windows will allow you to take it down during winter.

Take shorter showers:

Your hot water system is responsible for 21% of the energy you use in the home. Cutting the length of your showers could save you as much as $125 a year off your energy bill.

Run your hot water efficiently:

Wrap external hot water pipes with insulation, known as lagging, from a hardware store. Attach with tape. Make sure the temperature of the system isn't set too high. If you have a storage hot water system, the tank temperature should be set to about 60C.

Unplug the clothes dryer:

Try stringing a clothes line under the verandah, patio or car port. Or use clothes horses in heated rooms. Racks on pulleys winched up to the ceiling make use of the warmer air up high. If you must use a dryer, put clothes on racks and lines for the first bit and just finish them off in the machine.

Turn off the second fridge:

If it must stay on, make sure it is in an insulated room and out of direct sunlight.

Get a free sustainability assessment:

A government-accredited assessor will look at how the property uses energy and water, and advise on steps to cut environmental impact. To organise a free assessment call 1800 895 076.

Use thick curtains:

Up to 40% of home heat escapes from uncovered windows. Thick, lined curtains that extend below the window frame will help. Blinds are only effective at keeping the heat in if they are solid and sit up against the window.

Install or improve insulation:

A well-insulated house can use as much as 45% less energy for heating and cooling, saving you $190 per year. Choose glasswool or polyester ceiling batts with a rating of R3.5 or higher. A layer of double-sided foil insulation stapled just below the roof line will also help.

Seal up gaps or cracks:

The average Victorian home has cracks and gaps that add up to the equivalent of having a metre-wide window open all the time. Use weather stripping around doors and windows, gap filler for cracks in the walls and even a simple door snake. Draught-sealing can save you $70 a year.

Install pelmets on your windows:

Pelmet boxes sitting over curtain rods are effective at preventing cold air getting into homes. If you're handy, build them yourself, or hire a handy person or a curtain company. A cheap alternative is to stick a heavy blanket or towels on top of your curtain rod.

Watch the temperature:

Only heat to around 21C in winter. Every degree over this adds another 10% to your heating bill.

Don't heat empty rooms:

Furniture can't feel the cold. Don't leave heat or cooling systems running all night or while you're out. Turn it off or install a timer. In some cases it is better to heat yourself, not the room. Wear a jumper and sit near a small heater.

Maintain your heaters:

Get heaters serviced professionally at least every two years. Keeping heaters free of dust and clean filters regularly.

Get a more efficient heater:

Generally speaking gas room heaters, reverse cycle (not ducted), hydronic heating and slow combustion stoves are more environmentally sound than electric heating (other than reverse cycle), in-floor electric heating or open fires.

Let the sunshine in during the day:

If you have any north-facing windows, open up curtains to let the sun heat up your house for you. Close them at the end of the day.

Weather-proof skylights:

Have your skylight double-glazed, or add a sheet of glass or perspex, which diffuses the light and stops the heat escaping. A cheap alternative is to stick bubble wrap on the glass.

Stop heat going up the chimney:

Consider installing a slow combustion wood stove instead of an open fireplace. Block unused fireplaces.

Block any permanently open vents:

Old vents high on the walls are from the days of gas lighting and unflued gas heating. Block draughts with a piece of wood or cardboard.

Deal with draughty floor boards:

If draughts come up through the gaps in the floor boards, install insulation under the floor, or get some rugs.

Double glaze your windows:

Double glazing slashes the amount of heat lost through windows in winter, or let in over summer. It also means you can let the light in without letting the heat out. Double glazing existing windows can be pricey. A cheaper alternative is to use products like Clear Comfort and Magnetite, which are designed to be added to existing windows.

Make small spaces:

Smaller spaces are easier to heat and cool, so close doors to seal off a smaller living space, or hang curtains or blankets to section off areas.

More Information: 

Environment Victoria has plenty of information and advice to help you live more sustainably at environmentvictoria.org.au or call them on (03) 9341 8199.