Home: Renewable Energy News: April 2009

Renewable Energy News

APRIL 2009 | View archive list |

Thursday 30 April, 2009

Israel Inaugurates Unique Solar Farm
While concentrated photovoltaic technology is widespread; a new Israeli solar farm combines it with a water-based cooling system that not only dramatically boosts solar cell efficiency, but also provides hot water suitable for use in homes.

Wednesday 29 April, 2009

Lockheed Martin's Solar Powered Airship
Lockheed Martin is undertaking a USD $400 million contract to construct a prototype of a solar powered airship for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Air Force.

World's Largest Solar Tower Power Plant Commences Operations
Spain's Abengoa Solar has commenced operation of the new PS20 solar power plant located at the Solúcar Platform, near Seville in Spain.

Tuesday 28 April, 2009

Victoria - The Green Jobs State?
The 'Victoria – The Green Jobs State: Seizing The Opportunities' document uses a series of case studies to demonstrate that more over 25,000 new jobs could be be generated in just five industries in Victoria while delivering substantial greenhouse gas emission reductions.

UK To Crack Down On Coal Power
In an announcement late last week, the UK government proposed sweeping changes that would see the construction of any new coal based power stations require a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) component.

Monday 27 April, 2009

Breaking News - Tasmania Off Grid Solar Rebate Halted
A solar industry source in Tasmania reported on the weekend that in Tasmania, RRPGP funding for off grid wind and solar power systems has been halted.

The Solar Power Sharks Are Circling
While the solar industry in Australia is generally populated by ethical companies that have a genuine passion for the products they sell, the explosion of low quality equipment coupled with financial incentives have seen some fly-by-night operations set up shop to take advantage of consumers; offering deals that seem too good to be true - and in many cases, indeed they are.

Solar Powered Farts And Energy Storage
While energy storage has always posed somewhat of a challenge when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing; a technology showing promise is using solar power and wind energy to help generate farts, or more accurately, methane.

Friday 24 April, 2009

Tasmania's Agfest Goes Solar
Tasmania's Agfest 2008 was a great success with over 64,000 people attending over 3 days. This year the event is expected to attract even more interest thanks to attractions such as helicopter rides and new technologies being showcased, including solar power.

Regional Electrical Engineering Forum 2009
The Regional Electrical Engineering Forum 2009, to be held in Tasmania, will examine and discuss the latest local and international practices and standards in electrical safety, switchgear & power cables, remote and emergency power; with a focus on the engineering environment and people of Tasmania.

Thursday 23 April, 2009

Suntech's New Solar Panel For The Australian Market
Suntech Power Holdings has announced its next series of monocrystalline modules available to the Australia market - the Ad series.

Australian Off Grid Solar Power Rebate Uncertainty
The Australian Government's RRPGP (Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme) continues to be under threat through issues relating to future funding after the May budget

Another Australian Electric Car - the evME
The evMe fully electric car is designed and assembled in Australia. It has a range of 200 kilometers and can achieve speeds of up to 130 kmh. The evME can easily integrate with residential solar power installations; making it a truly zero emissions vehicle.

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 renewable energy and addressing the challenges of global warming.

Wednesday 22 April, 2009

Garrett Announces $4.2 million For Western Australia Wind Farm
$4.2 million in Federal Government funding for the Western Australia Mt Barker wind farm was announced a short while ago by Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett

Solar Power Information Session For South Australia's Mid-North
A public meeting to discuss solar power and the opportunity to participate in a solar buyers group will be held in South Australia's mid-north at Blyth Cinema next Monday, April 27, at 7.30pm. All residents of the region and surrounding districts are invited to attend.

Solar Power, Wind Cheaper Than Coal And Nuclear Energy
Households in Australia could be paying up to 30 per cent more for electricity annually by 2025 for coal based and nuclear power compared to a scenario where concentrating solar, wind and hot dry rock geothermal power were widely implemented.

Tuesday 21 April, 2009

$1.4 Billion Solar Farm For Arizona
The Arizona Department of Commerce has announced a AUD $1.4 billion solar farm to be built near Kingman next year.

Solar Power : Vatican Just Can't Get Enough
It seems the Vatican just can't get enough of solar power and is now considering building the largest solar farm in Europe at an estimated cost of 500 million euros.

Monday 20 April, 2009

Net Zero Energy Homes
The US Building Technologies Program aims to refine technologies and design innovations to create marketable and affordable zero energy homes by 2020 and zero energy commercial buildings by 2025.

ATA Seeks Help From Solar Grid Connect Owners
The Alternative Technology Association (ATA) is seeking data on grid connect solar power systems to use as evidence to support suggested alterations to the proposed Feed-in-Tariff legislation in the Victorian State Parliament.

Friday 17 April, 2009

$1.2M For Adelaide Solar City Projects
Minister for the Environment Peter Garrett has announced over $1.2 million from the Australian Government to go towards installation of solar panels at various locations around Adelaide.

Solar Powered Beer
Americans are well known for their affection for Budweiser beer and now the tipple is just a little bit greener thanks to solar power; giving somewhat a new meaning to their product "Bud Light".

Thursday 16 April, 2009

Free Canberra Solar Power Information Session Times Announced
Energy Matters, a leading Australian renewable energy company, will be running free information sessions on grid connect solar power for Canberra residents this weekend as part of the company's "double dip" ACT solar incentives special offer.

1 Million Panel Solar Farm
A new solar farm in the USA will incorporate nearly 1 million solar panels; making it the largest PV installation in North America.

Australia's Global Carbon Capture And Storage Institute Launch
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally launched the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute at the first meeting of Institute foundation members in Canberra today.

Wednesday 15 April, 2009

Solar Power And Direct Propulsion
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, are utilizing carbon nanotubes to build small machines directly propelled by solar power.

Victoria's Wimmera Sets Sights On Solar Farm
The Wimmera Development Association has announced it will submit a formal request to the Victorian State Government for a solar farm to be constructed in the area.

Tuesday 14 April, 2009

Space Based Solar Power A Reality By 2016?
The idea of harvesting solar power from space via orbiting solar farms has been around for a while, but may be closer to reality than many of us realised.

Monday 13 April, 2009

Solar Panel Powered City
A planned new city south of the Tampa Bay area and east of Fort Myers in Florida, USA will be powered by the world's largest solar panel based solar farm.

22 Megawatt Solar Farm For Canberra
The ACT government is offering a $30 million subsidy to build a solar farm in Canberra with enough capacity to generate at least 22 megawatts of clean electricity - enough to power ten thousand homes..

Friday 10 April, 2009

Australian Off Grid Solar Rebate Under Threat
The Australian Government's RRPGP (Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme) provides up to a 50% rebate on off grid solar power and wind energy, giving rural people greater access to renewable energy sourced electricity However, it appears the important program is under threat due to funding issues.

Thursday 09 April, 2009

Australia's First Solar Powered Car?
The Australian Federal Government has announced the first all-electric car certified to run on Australian roads. The Mitsubishi- made iMiEV should start rolling off production lines from June this year.

Wednesday 08 April, 2009

The Virus Battery
MIT researchers have recently demonstrated the ability to genetically engineer viruses to construct more environmentally friendly batteries.

Earth Day 2009's Renewable Energy Focus
Earth Day 2009 will herald the beginning of the 'Green Generation Campaign', with a focus on renewable energy and shifting the world's dependence on fossil fuels, including coal.

Tuesday 07 April, 2009

Suntech And Swinburne University's Solar Cell Project
Suntech has teamed up with Australia's Swinburne University of Technology in a project to create the next generation of solar cells.

A Push For Solar Power On New Homes
Governments are increasingly implementing legislation to ensure people building new homes are given the option of adding solar power.

Monday 06 April, 2009

Victoria's Proposed Solar Feed In Tariff Flawed
On the weekend, The Age reported that an analysis tabled in Parliament and released to The Age under Freedom of Information laws found the Stae Government's solar feed in tariff plan would fail as an incentive and do little to cut greenhouse emissions over the next 15 years.

Rooftop Solar Panel System For Port Of Los Angeles
Within 5 years, the Port of Los Angeles will have 10 megawatts capacity of solar panel arrays covering over 100,000 square meters.

Friday 03 April, 2009

Australia's Solar Hot Water Uptake Soaring
Australia's Environment Minister Peter Garrett stated today that more than 6,000 Australians have already applied for the new $1,600 Federal Government solar hot water rebate under the $3.9 billion Energy Efficient Homes Package.

ATA Slams 'Perverse' Victorian Feed In Tariff
According to the Alternative Technology Association, the Victorian government's proposed feed-in tariff will wipe thousands of dollars owed to homes with grid connect solar power installed.

Thursday 02 April, 2009

New South Wales Questions Coal Advice
The New South Wales Government has questioned the advice of a senior Commonwealth consultant after he tabled concerns about a planned expansion of Newcastle's coal port facilities.

Solar Aid - Bringing Clean Power To The Poor
Solar Aid's vision is to make solar energy as widely available as possible to the poorest people in developing countries.

Wednesday 01 April, 2009

South Africa Announces Feed In Tariffs
South Africa is the latest country to offer feed in tariff incentives to stimulate uptake of renewable energy.

Secret Solar Powered Death Ray Project Unveiled
Solar power and going green is most definitely in - it's hip, it's happening - even in the armed forces. An Australian company with no previous history in military hardware development has unveiled what they term a GWMD (Green Weapon Of Mass Destruction) - a solar powered death ray.

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