Solar cell turns windows into generators
20 March, 2012Imagine a world where the windows of high-rise office buildings are powerful energy producers. It might sound strange, but for the past four years, a team of researchers from Flinders University has been working to make the idea of solar-powered windows a reality - and they may have succeeded.
Collaboration to develop new-generation solar cells
14 March, 2012Researchers from The University of Queensland (UQ) and Korea have combined their expertise in polymer patterning and materials science in a bid to develop new-generation solar cells.
Hospital to maximise the power of the sun in Hervey Bay
02 March, 2012ABB has officially signed a contract with Queensland Health to design, supply and install a 266-kilowatt roof-mounted solar panel system at the Hervey Bay Hospital located on the Fraser Coast in Queensland. The system will generate around 385 megawatt-hours of renewable energy each year, saving an estimated $20,000 on electricity costs and reducing carbon emissions by approximately 400 tonnes annually.
Veolia celebrates installation of solar power at Arndell Park
28 February, 2012On 23 February, Veolia Environmental Services celebrated the successful utilisation of solar power at its Arndell Park facility in NSW. A 50 kW solar panel system was recently installed at the facility and complements the various environmental initiatives that have already been implemented on site.
ANU receives go-ahead for solar art installation
09 February, 2012The Australian National University School of Art is set to shine in the sustainability stakes with a new solar panel array. The 40 kW array will produce about 70,000 kW hours of electricity annually (enough to power about 10 houses), cutting the school’s carbon emissions by more than 5%.
First Solar sets another world record for CdTe solar PV efficiency
02 February, 2012First Solar has set a new world record for cadmium‐telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic (PV) solar module efficiency, achieving 14.4% total area efficiency.
Solar farm for WA
02 December, 2011First Solar has announced that construction has commenced on the 10 MW AC Greenough River Solar Farm, located 50 km south of Geraldton. Once completed, the solar farm will be the first utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) project in Australia and will bring significant investment to the local community through a partnership with local civil contractor WBHO Civil - the company awarded the Phase 1 construction contract for the project.
Revolution of concentrating solar power plants
01 December, 2011ABB has launched a new concept for turnkey concentrating solar power plants (CSP) based on a low-cost, highly efficient and highly scalable technology that is claimed to use considerably less material, land and water than other CSP technology. The plants use 70% less material, require 40% less land and consume 80% less water per megawatt generated than parabolic trough designs.
Global community can learn from Alice Springs’ solar success
26 October, 2011An Australian study has revealed that Alice Springs has valuable experience and expertise to share with the rest of the world on the impacts of solar generation on urban electricity grids.
The cost of renewables modest, according to the Clean Energy Council
21 October, 2011Even with significant over-estimation of the cost of renewable energy, a new report by the Energy Users Association of Australia (EUAA) still shows the cost has been modest, according to the Clean Energy Council.
Calls for overhaul of solar installations regs
20 October, 2011The release of official government figures showing many solar installations are dangerous has led the National Electrical and Communications Association to continue its calls for governments at all levels to work together to stamp out dodgy solar installers and protect consumers.
US researchers on target to develop inexpensive solar cells
18 October, 2011Researchers in the US are moving closer to developing inexpensive solar cells.
SMA Solar Academy advances Australian solar expertise
24 August, 2011SMA Australia is providing solar training at its North Ryde premises and via its Solar Academy Roadshow.
Choosing a solar module
23 August, 2011Thin-film or crystalline 'thick-film'? Mono or poly crystalline? German, European or Asian? The huge choice of solar panels available on the market makes deciding on one or the other a real headache. For David McCallum, General Manager at Conergy Australia, quality panels must fulfil three criteria: they must be high-yield, solid and safe.
Noark circuit breaker, surge protection devices, fuses and isolators
02 August, 2011 byNoark provides a range of circuit breakers, surge protection devices, fuses and isolators for both grid and off-grid photovoltaic systems. Tested under severe lab conditions, with ambient temperatures from -25 to +70°C including a complete range of compensation curves for different temperate and elevation curves, this range of products combines streamlined structural design and electric emulation technology.
