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.
Sydney takes a bigger shine to solar power
01 August, 2012Following a tender process, the City of Sydney has selected Solgen Energy to undertake a $6 million project to fit solar photovoltaic (PV) panels to more than 30 sites over the next two years to generate 12.5% of the electricity needs of all city properties.
Sunny side up: solar’s the new renewable energy star
30 July, 2012Investments in solar power overtook those in wind power for the first time in 2011, and the latest deals suggest this is only the start, says a new report by energy industry experts GlobalData.
Regional community votes 98% in support of solar over gas
23 July, 2012Residents of Port Augusta in South Australia’s ‘Iron Triangle’ have voiced strong support for a proposal that would keep hundreds of power jobs in Port Augusta, and protect people’s health and the environment. This week, 3550 residents voted for solar power in the Repower Port Augusta Community Vote.
Hybrid power station installed in remote location
12 July, 2012AEG Power Solutions’ New Caledonian ecopx hybrid power station is now fully operational. The complete integrated solution was part of a contract signed with OPT (Office des Postes &Telecommunications) in New Caledonia last year. It combines solar and wind energy with batteries, and a genset as emergency back-up.
Australian rooftop solar power: down but not out
11 July, 2012Residential solar PV will be around as long as the sun shines, but long-term growth could be constrained by the limits of the electricity network. That’s the conclusion of energy research specialist Energeia, which recently found that the the residential solar PV market is falling 56% in 2012, after growing 58% in 2011.
BlueScope Steel raises the bar on integrated solar roof technology
05 July, 2012Supported by a grant from The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) Emerging Renewables Program, BlueScope Steel will develop a low-cost building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system for Australian residential, commercial and industrial rooftops.
Carbon tax making solar look even cheaper
02 July, 2012With the carbon tax now operating and energy price rises kicking in, the economics around solar power are making it look even cheaper.
Every cloud has a solar lining
26 June, 2012 by Lauren DavisSolar intermittency - the interruption of solar power due to cloud cover, night-time or the sun simply not shining brightly enough - has been a major factor in preventing Australia from fully embracing solar energy. Now, the CSIRO is working hard to understand how to manage this problem.
Using the sun to solve water quality problems
18 June, 2012When Eurobodalla Shire council was looking to control blue green algae and improve dissolved oxygen and pH levels at Deep Creek Dam, it installed five SolarBee long-distance water circulators.
First Solar to provide solar power projects for AGL under Solar Flagships Program
13 June, 2012First Solar has announced that it will supply, construct and maintain large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects totalling 159 MWAC for AGL, following AGL’s selection as the successful proponent in the solar PV category of the Solar Flagships Program independent reassessment process.
