A silver lining remains for Australia's solar industry
02 April, 2014 by Derek Durham*While the federal government's recent plans to review the Renewable Energy Target (RET) are steeped in controversy, the reduction or complete removal of the RET will not spell the end of Australia's clean energy sector. Despite the negativity and doubt that surround Australia's renewables industry, the reality is this country has all the ingredients it needs to foster the development of a strong renewable energy sector.
What's in store for solar?
02 April, 2014A major review of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) is currently underway by the federal government. It is feared by some that any changes in the RET could have a devastating effect on the industry, so what can be done?
Photovoltaics presentations at energy and electronics event
01 April, 2014IDTechEx's Energy Harvesting & Storage and Printed Electronics Europe will this year be co-located in Berlin from 1-2 April. The joint event will feature several presentations on the topic of photovoltaics.
Solar-electric hybrid sports car for Australia
17 March, 2014A collaboration between Swinburne University, Aurora Vehicle Association and SolarX Corporation has set out to create Australia's first road legal solar-electric hybrid sports car.
US solar investments doubled in 2013
26 February, 2014Mercatus has released its year-end analysis of commercial solar project investment and development trends for 2013. The report found that investor interest in commercial solar projects has more than doubled in the last 12 months.
Nyngan RSL installs 50 kW solar power solution
19 February, 2014Energy Action, a provider of energy procurement, contract management, energy reporting and sustainability solutions for Australian businesses, has engineered a 50 kW solar power solution for Nyngan RSL Club in western NSW. The system will cut the club's operating costs and reduce its carbon footprint.
Kangaroo Island Visible Solar Project bounds into action
14 February, 2014The $500,000 Kangaroo Island Visible Solar Project has been officially opened. Funded by the state government's RenewablesSA program, the project boasts the first dual-axis solar trackers in Australia to power electric vehicles.
Solar station to power desalination in Vanuatu
12 February, 2014A containerised solar power system, dubbed the 'Solar Station', has arrived in Vanuatu as the first of a series designed to power fresh water production for 11,000 people on the islands.
Energy Matters enters distribution deal with Yingli Solar
12 February, 2014Yingli Green Energy Australia has entered into a distribution agreement with Energy Matters, an Australia solar supply and installation company.
VoltLogic awarded Australian certification
10 February, 2014The VoltLogic energy management device, from Renewable Energy Solutions Australia (RESA), has been awarded AS4777 certification - the Australian standard for grid-connected inverters.
Aged care facility inspired by SolarMax
10 February, 2014SolarMax has announced the installation of its grid-connected solar inverters at Yass Valley Aged Care (YVAC), a regional NSW aged care facility, through its installation partner, Ygrene Energy.
First Solar begins building 250 ha solar plant
28 January, 2014First Solar has commenced construction on a 250 ha solar plant in Nyngan, NSW - the largest utility-scale solar project in Australia. The company will install approximately 1,350,000 thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules for the project, which will generate clean, renewable energy with no emissions, waste or water consumption during operation.
Solar thermal study in South Australia
17 January, 2014Natural gas and electricity provider Alinta Energy, with the support of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) and the South Australian government, is planning to undertake a $2.3 million feasibility study into solar thermal power generation at Port Augusta.
Yingli Solar's new technical manager for Oceania
14 January, 2014Yingli Solar has appointed Christian Bindel to the newly created role of technical manager for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Alice Springs a successful solar city
07 January, 2014For the past five years, Alice Springs has been one of seven areas taking part in the Australian Government's Solar Cities Program. The town's successes over this time have been captured in the report 'Alice Solar City: 2008-2013'.
