Solar power is contagious
07 November, 2012People are more likely to install a solar panel on their home if their neighbours have one, according to a Yale and New York University study in the journal Marketing Science.
Filming the sun, using the sun
19 October, 2012On the morning of 14 November 2012, the north of Australia will witness a total solar eclipse. Panasonic, using only its HIT solar panels and lithium-ion batteries for storage, will produce a live broadcast of this incredible spectacle live via USTREAM.
Kyocera supplies solar modules for North Queensland’s largest PV installation
18 October, 2012Kyocera Solar recently supplied 348 kW of solar modules that now cover the roof of the Townsville RSL Stadium in North Queensland. The photovoltaic installation is now the largest in North Queensland and will supply the equivalent of two-thirds of the stadium’s energy requirements by utilising the clean, renewable energy of the sun.
Managing solar for remote communities
16 October, 2012Some Australian electric utilities operate a substantial number of diesel-fuelled power stations for remote communities that are too distant to connect to the main electricity grids. These communities can include hundreds of residents, along with local commercial activities and civil infrastructure to support the region. The wet season can make it difficult to access some communities by road for up to 1-2 months. Photovoltaic (PV) power generation has been identified as the most consistent source of renewable power to cover the daily power consumption profile of these communities.
ReneSola Virtus II solar module
12 October, 2012ReneSola has launched the Virtus II solar module. The company’s Virtus cell technology features improvements in the silicon cast and handling processes which, while similar to the polycrystalline manufacturing process, result in a more homogenous crystalline structure.
WA flips switch on large-scale solar project
10 October, 2012Solar power received a jolt of energy as a large-scale photovoltaic solar project was officially switched on. Verve Energy, GE Energy Financial Services and First Solar today opened the 10-MW Greenough River Solar Farm near Geraldton, WA.
RAA delivers solar data in support of the RET
05 October, 2012The Australian Solar Council has congratulated the REC Agents Association (RAA) following the release of groundbreaking data on the cost of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES).
Two-thirds of the world’s new solar panels were installed in Europe in 2011
02 October, 2012The 2012 Photovoltaics Status Report, published by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, summarises and evaluates the current activities regarding manufacturing, policies and market implementation worldwide.
School installs 60 kW solar PV system
24 September, 2012Autonomous Energy has designed, installed and commissioned a 60 kW Solar PV system at Pymble Ladies’ College. The system was installed in two phases, the first phase (16 kW) was commissioned in July 2011 and the second phase (60 kW) went live in February 2012.
NSW cafe installs solar air conditioning
18 September, 2012Specialist bakery and cafe Brioche has installed a solar air conditioner.
Higher power prices driving a “ditch the grid” mentality
13 September, 2012With more than half the cost of rising electricity bills due to network and distribution costs through poles and wires, more Australians are looking to solar energy and an alternative to grid connection.
Solar expertise turns competitors into collaborators
07 September, 2012An advanced processing technology being pioneered at UNSW to improve the efficiency of first-generation silicon solar cells has turned two solar manufacturers into unlikely collaborators. The School of Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy Engineering has signed a collaborative research agreement with Suntech Power and Hanwha Solar, the first such agreement between the school and two competing companies.
QUT engineer develops electricity-free home cooling system
30 August, 2012A Queensland University of Technology (QUT) researcher is developing a solar cooling and heating system for the home that will run independently of the electricity grid and generate domestic hot water as a by-product.
Massive new solar system for North Queensland
29 August, 2012The largest solar system in North Queensland was officially opened today at Townsville RSL Stadium, which now boasts 1800 solar photovoltaic panels across its roof, producing two-thirds of its energy requirements.
Panasonic HIT Premium VBHN235SE10 and VBHN235SJ18 and standard VBMS230AE01 solar panels
13 August, 2012Panasonic has announced three new solar panel products for the Australian market. The range features two HIT Premium Solar Panels - the VBHN235SE10 and the VBHN235SJ18 - as well as a standard level VBMS230AE01.
