Energy Matters News

This Week's News Stories (updated daily Mon-Fri):

A Wind Turbine Made With Wood
Looking somewhat like a Hills Hoist that has come off second best in a tussle with a tornado, the Hercules wind turbine employs cutting edge technology with old world materials - wood.

US Feds May Whack Up To 250% Tariff On Chinese Solar Panels
The fallout from the US solar 'trade war' has resulted in a hefty proposed antidumping duty (AD) on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells from China, whether or not assembled into solar panels.

Suntech CTO And Martin Green Win Collaborative Innovation Award
Suntech's Dr. Stuart Wenham and the 'father of photovoltaics', Professor Martin Green, were awarded the prestigious Australian Collaborative Innovation Awards last week.

Taking Solar Power From The People For Nix - VCEC
A report concerning the future of Victoria's feed-in tariff joins others that fail to recognise the true value of electricity generated by home solar power systems - and could threaten knock-on effects across Australia if implemented.

Solar Power Assisted Robotic Sailboat To Attempt World Record
The Austrian Society for Innovative Computer Sciences (INNOC) designed and constructed 'ASV Roboat' will take aim at the current robotic sailing world record in July.

REC Releases Its First Sustainability Report
Norway-based Renewable Energy Corporation (REC), producer of multi award-winning REC Peak Energy Series solar panels, has published its first Sustainability Report based on data collected in 2011.

Western Australia's Solar Feed In Tariff Ramifications Exaggerated
The Sustainable Energy Association of Australia has challenged the notion that spending more on renewables is somehow a bad thing and brought the situation regarding Western Australia's solar feed in tariff into perspective.

Origin/AGL - Draft NSW Electricity Price Increases Not Enough
It seems AGL and Origin Energy feel a 16% increase in electricity prices on July 1 this year in New South Wales isn't enough. Struggling households may beg to differ.

And The Solar Lights All Went On In Massachusetts* (Walmarts)
Various sources are reporting the world's largest retailer, Walmart, will be partially powering half of its Massachusetts stores with solar energy very soon.

ACCC Eyes Solar Sellers
Some in Australia's solar industry have been exaggerating looming electricity price rises and drawing the attention of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.

Rumours Of Wind Farm Unpopularity May Be Grossly Exaggerated
Wind farms in Australia can tend to suffer a bit of an image problem - but it increasingly seems much of that comes from mainstream media's focus on a minority's concerns.

SMA Sells 90% More Solar Inverters In Q1
SMA Solar Technology AG continues its dominance in the solar inverter sector; posting impressive gains during the first quarter of this year.

REC Celebrates 5 Million Solar Panels Produced
REC has celebrated production of the 5 millionth Peak Energy Series module at the 13th SolarExpo; held in Italy.

Yarra Community Solar Project Launch
Victoria's Yarra Climate Action Now (YCAN) is finalising a pre-feasibility study for a medium-scale community-owned rooftop solar farm in inner Melbourne.

Mars Rover Opportunity Solars On
Opportunity has taken its first, albeit short, drive since December, as Mars' winter draws to an end and the rover's solar panels start producing more electricity.

Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics Until 2016 - EPIA
A report just released by the EPIA states enough electricity will be produced by new solar PV and wind installations in Europe in 2012 to compensate for the closure of nuclear reactors in Germany.

What Now For The Solar Credits Rebate?
An announcement of a further reduction to the Solar Credits rebate didn't eventuate in Budget 2012 as some suspected might happen. Does this mean the rebate is totally safe?

Solar An Even Better Deal For Small Business
From the start of the 2012-13 tax year, small businesses in Australia will be able to immediately write off assets to the value of $6,500 - including solar power systems.

Budget 2012 And Clean Energy
Federal budgets can be a nail-biting time for the Australian renewable energy industry, but there were no major surprises in Budget 2012 announcements.

Iron Mountain Going Solar
Data storage and document management firm Iron Mountain has announced plans to install solar panels on the rooftop of eight of its storage facilities in three U.S. states.

Solar Seller Fined For Dodgy Goods
The director and general manager of three New South Wales solar companies has been fined $15,000 for selling solar hot water systems with potentially unsafe storage tanks and solar panels with electrical faults.

REC Inks 20MW Bulgarian Solar Panel Deals
Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) has signed agreements to supply 20 MW of its award-winning solar panels for facilities throughout Bulgaria.

The 3D Spin Cell Solar Generator
Not a fan of rooftop solar power systems? Perhaps Solarphasec's Sentinel 3D Spin Cell solar generator will be for you.

Mobile Solar Powered Rapid Response Unit
The first days after a disaster are critical and if power and clean water is unavailable, it can seriously hamper rescue and cleanup efforts.