Tuesday 30 June, 2009

 

• USA Fast-Tracks Solar Power With Solar Energy Study Areas
  US federal agencies will work to designate tracts of U.S. public landsas prime zones for utility-scale solar energy development in order to help speed up reviews of industry proposals for the establishment of solar farms.

Monday 29 June, 2009

 

• Australian Solar Rebates Status Summary
  The last few weeks has seen so many changes to rebates and incentives systems for solar power in Australia, many consumers and for that matter, providers, are confused as to the current situation. The following is a brief summary of where things stand as at Monday, June 29 2009.


• Victoria's Solar Feed In Tariff Legislation Passed
  The Victorian Government’s new solar feed-in tariff legislation was passed by the Victorian Parliament on 25 June 2009 after its original draft legislation met with stiff opposition. The Government states that amendments were made "in response to input from responsible environment groups"

Friday 26 June, 2009

 

• Solar Photovoltaic Electricity Mainstream By 2020
  Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity is set to become a major supplier in the European market, according to a recent report entitled "Set For 2020" from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA).

Thursday 25 June, 2009

 

• Bank On Solar Credits By August 18?
  Solar power supporters and industry are fuming that the legislation for the new non-means tested Solar Credits scheme is being held up due to a complex political situation; but there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Wednesday 24 June, 2009

 

• Solar Petition Tabled By Greens In Australian Senate
  Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, will today table a petition from over 17,000 Australians calling on the Parliament to implement a gross national feed-in tariff to give renewable energy technologies the support they deserve.


• NEWSFLASH - Off Grid Solar Covered Under Solar Credits Scheme
  The end of the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) for rural Australians caused havoc earlier this week, but it's been announced that off grid solar power systems will be covered under the new Solar Credits scheme.


• The Solar Tent
  Camping has definitely evolved over the years and roughing it is certainly not as rough as it used to be. Another camping challenge that may be overcome soon is the one related to power, courtesy of solar energy.

Tuesday 23 June, 2009

 

• NEWSFLASH - New South Wales Announces Solar Feed In Tariff
  Hard on the heels of the Oppositions announcement yesterday regarding their support of a feed in tariff scheme, Minister for Climate Change, Carmel Tebbutt and Minister for Energy, Ian Macdonald, have announced a feed in tariff program for the state called the solar bonus scheme.


• Solar Powered LED Street Lights
  A new solar/LED street lighting application operate up to 85% more efficiently than HID counterparts and offers a return on investment of between 2 - 5 years.


• NSW Opposition Reaffirms Solar Feed In Tariff Commitment
  The New South Wales Opposition has reiterated their commitment to a gross feed-in tariff scheme for the state to provide payments for all electricity generated by families and businesses who install their own solar or other renewable energy systems.

Monday 22 June, 2009

 

• NEWSFLASH - Australia's Off Grid Solar Rebates Ended
  The Australian Government has announced the Renewable Remote Power Generation Program (RRPGP) that provided substantial subsidies for off grid wind and solar power is closed to new applications except in Western Australia.


• Renewable Energy Cheaper Than Nuclear Power
  A new study has found the cost of electricity generated by new nuclear reactors could be triple the cost increased energy efficiency and renewable energy sourced power.

Friday 19 June, 2009

 

• Greenwashing Renewable Energy?
  The renewable energy boom and associated incentives are seeing intense lobbying to have other technologies viewed as renewable, such as nuclear power plants and the burning of garbage and waste from coal mines.

Thursday 18 June, 2009

 

• NEWSFLASH - Australia's Solar Credits Legislation Stalled
  Australia's Renewable Energy Target bill, which included the new solar credits scheme, has been deferred until at least August 2009. This will have immediate negative impact on the Australian solar industry with layoffs imminent according to the CEC. However, national solar power company Energy Matters have said at this point they will continue to offer solar credits inclusive prices on systems under the assumption the legislation will pass after further debate.


• USA Solar Energy Consumer Survey Results
  US solar company Applied Materials recently released the findings of a survey relating to the general public's understanding and opinions about solar energy.


• NSW Continues Coal Love Affair
  Coal fired power generation in New South Wales has done well in the recent state budget and as a result, the state's greenhouse gas emissions will continue to climb. In an ironic related story, it seems coal port facilities in Newcastle are being raised a few metres in anticipation of sea rise levels driven by climate change.

Wednesday 17 June, 2009

 

• A Brighter Future For Australian Solar Power From June 22
  The dark days for solar power in Australia will officially end on June 22 according to renewable energy company Energy Matters.


• Renewable Energy Jobs Boom In Europe
  A new study has revealed thatin excess of 3.4 million European jobs are directly related to renewable energy, sustainable transport and energy efficiency related goods and services.

Tuesday 16 June, 2009

 

• Queensland Electricity Prices Will Make Solar More Attractive
  The upcoming substantial jump in price for electricity in Queensland will help make solar power a more attractive option for homes and businesses; particularly with the new Solar Credits program available to most households throughout Australia, tax breaks and Queensland's feed in tariff scheme.


• Solar Powered Drone - The Silent Sentinel
  Bye Aerospace, Inc. and Ascent Solar recently announced initial details of a solar power assisted hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle (H-UAV) called the Silent Sentinel.

Monday 15 June, 2009

 

• The Solar Power Homeboys
  Some gang members in Los Angeles are using solar power to turn their lives around in a positive way, through organisations such as the USA's Homeboy Industries


• A Critical Week For Renewable Energy In Australia
  This week promises to be an important one for renewable energy in Australia, with key pieces of legislation to be negotiated that will not only impact greatly on Australia's response to dealing with climate change, but also on the future of the Australian solar and wind power industry.

Friday 12 June, 2009

 

• Australian Solar Gross Feed In Tariff Petition Enters Final Days
  Australian solar power company Energy Matters has been lobbying for a national gross feed in tariff via a petition at FeedInTariff.com.au. The petition is now entering its final days and will be submitted to Greens Senator Christine Milne next week who will table the results in Parliament.

Thursday 11 June, 2009

 

• Climate change, Renewable Energy and Australia's Plan B
  National and peak state-based environment organisations, representing more than 400,000 Australians, will today unite in opposition to Australia's proposed emissions trading legislation.


• Solar credits - after the Australian solar rebate storm
  The last two days have seen a flurry of activity in the home solar power sector in Australia after the announcement from the Federal Government on Tuesday of the immediate end to the $8,000 SHCP solar rebate and the commencement of the Solar Credits program.

Wednesday 10 June, 2009

 

• UPDATE - $8,000 Solar Rebate Scheme Ends, Solar Credits Program Begins
  The Australian Federal Government has released a shock announcement regarding the immediate end to the $8,000 Solar Homes and Communities Program rebate as of close of business yesterday and the launch of the Solar Credits program tomorrow. The SHCP rebate was not due to end until June 30.

Tuesday 09 June, 2009

 

• Fossil Fuel Vs. Renewable Energy Subsidies
  While renewable energy's opponents might complain about various subsidies and government rebates costing too much, something many people don't realise is fossil fuels have been subsidised to the hilt over the years. 

Monday 08 June, 2009

 

• Western Australia Solar Feed In Tariff Confusion
  Many solar power enthusiasts in Western Australia have expressed confusion and disappointment in sudden changes to the state's new feed in tariff system; which was due to be rolled out very soon.

Friday 05 June, 2009

 

• Australian Home Solar Power In Shadows On World Environment Day
  Many Australians eager to invest in home solar power but who do not qualify for the current $8,000 solar rebate ending this month are still in the dark about a new incentives program announced late last year by the Federal Government.

Thursday 04 June, 2009

 

• Renewable Energy Powers On Through Crisis
  2008 was the first year that renewable energy investment (including large hydro) was more than investment in fossil-fuel technologies.

Wednesday 03 June, 2009

 

• Latest Solar Feed In Tariff News
  China to introduce commercial feed in tariff and Victoria's government at loggerheads with Greens over feed in tariff legislation.

Tuesday 02 June, 2009

 

• New Australian Solar Panel Standards Catch Out Unwary
  All solar power systems, including those pre-approved under various government rebate schemes must now comply with revised Australian Standards on the day of installation.

Monday 01 June, 2009

 

• Solar Power Fraudster Jailed
  A man who would take down payments on installing wind and solar energy systems and then not perform the work has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison.

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