Suntech's New Solar Panel For The Australian Market

 

Suntech Power Holdings, the world's largest manufacturer of solar panels, has announced its next series of monocrystalline modules available to the Australia market - the Ad series. The new Suntech Ad solar modules yield improvements to BSF structure and incorporate a high quality anti-reflective coating to increase conversion efficiency.
 
Thermal isolation between the lamination and an advanced J-box designed by Switzerland based Huger + Suhner delivers improved performance stability and also complete interconnection between modules and inverters, ensuring that the efficiency of the modules can be fully utilised. 
  
The panels provide increased power output through an advanced solar cell texturing and isolation process, which improves performance in conditions of low irradiance. According to the company, the new panels could enhance efficiency over the previous models by 1.5%. The panels offer high reliability with guaranteed +/-3% power output tolerance, ensuring return on investment
    
A unique drainage hole design and rigid construction prevents the solar panel frame from warping or breaking in the extreme weather conditions sometimes experienced in Australia.
  
Produced in 170 and 175 watt modules for the Australian market, the Suntech Ad series offers a 25-year power output transferable warranty and will soon be available through Energy Matters.
  

Australian Off Grid Solar Power Rebate Uncertainty

 

Earlier this month we covered a story on The Australian Government's RRPGP (Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme) being under threat. 
 
The Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme, not to be confused with the $8,000 residential solar power grid connect rebate, provides up to a 50% rebate on off grid solar power and wind energy systems. This scheme has encouraged many rural Australians to ditch or lessen their dependence on emissions intensive fossil fuel based power generators in favour of renewable energy.
 
According to Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) representatives at a recent meeting; funding has almost dried up for the RRPGP and whether the program will secure a new round of funding in the May budget is very much up in the air.
 
Further adding to the uncertainty; Olga Galacho stated in her Herald Sun column today that a spokesman for Environment Minister Peter Garrett said the funds were finite, but the government was considering other measures to support remote renewable energy. No further details were provided as to what those other measures might be.
 
Ms. Galacho further questioned the government's motivations and dedication to renewable energy for remote areas, citing the recent announcement of a government funded solar power plant for Detroit Diesel - a company that is one of the main suppliers of diesel generators to remote areas. Ms. Galacho believes that if subsidies for remote solar and wind power grid dry up, Detroit Diesel can expect demand for their "polluting generators" to increase.
 

Another Australian Electric Car - the evME

 

We recently reported on what was termed by the Australian Government as the first all-electric car certified to run on Australian roads - the Mitsubishi- made iMiEV; but it's not the only electric car available in Australia that could also be recharged by solar power.
  
The evMe fully electric car is designed and assembled in Australia by Armidale based Energetique. Components for the car come from a variety of sources all over the world - for example, the vehicle uses the body of the Mazda 2.
  
According to the company, the evMe has shown that after 5000km of driving in both city and highway conditions, a normal range is in the order of 160-200km depending on factors such as driving style and terrain.
  
Where a standard petrol motor will convert less than 30% of the car’s fuel into useful work, evMe boasts efficiencies of between 85% and 96%. evMe uses  Lithium polymer (LiPO) battery technology that provides a service life exceeding 10 years based on usage in a normal commuting averaging 40 kilometres per day.
  
The  evME has a maximum speed of 130kmh and can accelerated from 0-100 in 10 seconds in performance mode and electricity costs are only two cents per kilometre. Like the USA's eBox; the evME also has grid connect features, enabling it to supply electricity back into the grid using a V2G (Vehicle 2 Grid) system.
  
The car plugs into a standard domestic electrical socket and requires no additional wiring or specialised equipment for basic charging. A full 200 kilometre charge from a 10 amp supply will take around 15 hours, but based on average commute use could be topped up daily in 3 hours.
  
One of the challenges of electric cars is the source of the energy for recharging. In Australia, much of our electricity is generated by the emissions intensive burning of coal. The company states the evME can easily integrate with residential solar power installations and can operate entirely on renewable energy; making it truly a zero emissions car.
  
Another interesting feature is the seamless software upgrades and real-time diagnostics across 2G/3G Network; so diagnostics can be undertaken remotely without the need to return the vehicle to a repair garage.
  
The five seat evME complies with ADR standards and is priced at $70,000. Unlike other electric vehicles announced for use in Australia, the evMe is actually available for purchase now.
 

Obama Declares "New Era" For USA Renewable Energy

 

In recognition of Earth Day, USA President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Proclamation recognizing the importance of protecting the environment and addressing the challenges of global warming. 
 
"History has shown that as we sow, so too shall we reap," the President stated. "Let us rededicate ourselves to a world that provides bountiful harvests for us all not just today, but for many generations to come."
  
Through investments in scientific research and development, and the  pursuit of alternative and renewable energy, Obama believes the USA can create millions of green jobs while remaining a major player in competitive global economy. He said that his administration is also working to achieve a comprehensive energy and climate policy, one that will lessen the USA's dependence on foreign oil and make the nation the global leader in clean energy technology,
  
In the proclamation, Obama stated "we must commit ourselves to protecting our environment and ensuring the health of our planet so we may share the magnificent blessings of our Earth with our grandchildren."
  
According to a report on CNN, President Obama also today announced a new initiative to lease federal waters for the purpose of generating electricity from wind power and ocean currents. Obama stated that wind power could generate 20 percent of the country's electricity by 2030 and support 250,000 jobs.
  
It is part of "beginning a new era of energy exploration," he said.
 

News for Wednesday 22 April, 2009

 

• Garrett Announces $4.2 million For Western Australia Wind Farm
  


• Solar Power Information Session For South Australia's Mid-North
  


• Solar Power, Wind Cheaper Than Coal And Nuclear Energy
  

View all news for Wednesday 22 April, 2009 on one page

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