Renewable Energy News

SEPTEMBER 2008 | View archive list |

Tuesday 30 September, 2008

Rumour - Enter Feed In Tariffs, Exit Rebates? - We've heard a whisper that the Federal government will be discussing a feed in tariff at the next COAG meeting; this Thursday 2nd October. As COAG meetings don’t happen very often, it *may* be when the government announces feed in tariff plans and perhaps ceases the $8,000 rebates.

Monday 29 September, 2008

Aussies Get Green Fatigue While Villages Sink - A new survey from the Lowy Institute suggests the importance to Australians of tackling climate change may be losing some of urgency. This year, the economy appears to be on people's minds the most and climate change has slipped from first to the fifth most important issue.

Friday 26 September, 2008

Half Price Solar Power Coming Soon-ish? - Researchers at Australian National University Centre for Solar Energy Systems have unveiled new solar panel technology that they believe will greatly reduce the cost of solar power systems, provide greater shade tolerance and allow for the simultaneous heating of water .

Thursday 25 September, 2008

Sunpower Announces Massive Single Roof Solar Installation - Toyota and SunPower Corporation, a leading solar panel manufacturer, have announced the completion of the largest single-roof solar panel installation in North America, covering an area equivalent of 4 soccer fields.

Wednesday 24 September, 2008

USA Solar Industry Rejoices Over ITC Extension Agreement - The USA renewable energy industry is rejoicing this evening after the US Senate approved the extension of tax credits which will stimulate investment in renewables technology in the USA.

Tuesday 23 September, 2008

ATA Throws Support Behind Gross Feed In Tariff - The ATA (Alternative Technology Association), Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation promoting sustainable technology and practice recently weighed in on the issue of feed in tariffs; one of the hottest topics in the Australian renewable energy industry.

Monday 22 September, 2008

Environmental Groups Slamming Carbon Capture Initiative - Greenpeace Australia is the latest organization to slam the Federal Government's plans for a global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute to be set up in Australia next year, stating that carbon dioxide sequestration is unproven technology and carries the risk of carbon dioxide gases escaping into the environment.

Friday 19 September, 2008

Breakthrough in Renewable Energy Storage - Engineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Austin recently announced a breakthrough that may lead to the ability of storing massive quantities of electricity in ultracapacitor devices. The researchers have been investigating the use of a one-atom thick structure called "graphene" that could double the capacity of existing ultracapacitors.

Thursday 18 September, 2008

Energy Efficiency The Key To Low Carbon Economy - Late last week, the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s national clean energy industry peak body, published a submission to the federal government underlining the concept of energy efficiency as being the cheapest path to a low carbon economy.

Wednesday 17 September, 2008

South Australian Grid Connect Solar Power Installations Double - According to figures released by ETSA Utilities to the Adelaide Advertiser, residential installations of grid connect solar power systems has more than doubled over the last year.

Tuesday 16 September, 2008

Top Solar Manufacturers - Japan Losing Market Share - While Japan has been firmly entrenched as the leading country for photovoltaic cell production for many years, the last 12 months has seen a major reshuffle, with some well established solar panel companies being ousted from the top 10 and 4 Asian companies now being among the major players.

Monday 15 September, 2008

Community Groups Supporting The Switch To Solar - Community groups throughout Australia are switching on to the solar revolution by co-ordinating projects to help local residents install grid connect solar energy systems. These installations helps residents to substantially reduce carbon emissions and save money on electricity consumption.

Friday 12 September, 2008

Time For A National Solar Tour For Australia? - The world's largest solar energy event - the ASES National Solar Tour is about to kick off in the USA and is expected to attract over 150,000 people this year. Is it time for Australia to host such an event?

Thursday 11 September, 2008

Overwhelming Industry Support for Gross Feed In Tariff - The Clean Energy Council, of which Energy Matters is an active member, appeared before the Australian Senate Environment Committee on Tuesday to lobby for the implementation of a national gross feed-in tariff (FIT). The inquiry hearing occurred over two days with an overwhelming majority of representatives confirming their preference for a gross national feed-in tariff.

Wednesday 10 September, 2008

First Offshore Wind Farm For USA In 2012 - While many politicians in the USA are focused on the topic of offshore drilling for oil in the lead up to the next election; a far better and more environmentally option has emerged for offshore energy related activities - installing wind turbines

Tuesday 09 September, 2008

Energy Matters Launches Interactive Video Surveys on Renewable Energy - Energy Matters has launched the first in a series of interactive video surveys to gauge the Australian public's attitudes towards renewable energy issues

Monday 08 September, 2008

WA Gross Feed In Tariff Gains Bipartisan Support - Regardless of who is in power after post-election negotiations in Western Australia, the people of WA will be able to hold to task either party on the topic of gross feed in tariffs

Friday 05 September, 2008

Ask Dr. Solar - Net Feed In Tariffs - Dr. Solar answers a question about how net feed in tariffs work in relation to grid connect solar power systems

Thursday 04 September, 2008

10 Million To Be Employed In Solar Industry By 2030 - According to a report published by Greenpeace and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association early this month, solar power could provide much of the energy needs for up to two-thirds of the world’s population as soon as 2030, meanwhile stimulating a massive growth in jobs in the clean tech sector.

Wednesday 03 September, 2008

Ask Dr. Solar - Renovations, Switchboards and Meters. - Thinking of renovating and installing solar panels at a later date? Dr. Solar provides some advice regarding switchboards and meters.

Tuesday 02 September, 2008

Ask. Dr. Solar - W.A.'s Proposed Gross Feed In Tariff - Dr. Solar answers a question related to Western Australia's proposed introduction of a gross feed in tariff

Monday 01 September, 2008

Solar Power - The 30 Year Old Overnight Success - While it may seem that solar power is experiencing an overnight success, it's been a long time coming - it's been over 3 decades since solar power crept quietly onto the general market.

News archive for 2008