Home: Renewable Energy News: June 2011

Renewable Energy News

JUNE 2011 | View archive list |

Thursday 30 June, 2011

Energy Matters A Finalist In The 2011 Telstra Business Awards
National solar solutions provider Energy Matters has been announced a finalist in the People's Choice category of the 2011 Telstra Business Awards

Inkjet Printers The Key To Cheaper Solar Panels
According to researchers at Oregon State University (OSU), everyday inkjet printers used in homes and offices around the world could hold the key to the future of cheap thin film solar cell production.

High Concentration Photovoltaic Solar Panel Unveiled
A Canada-based solar energy company has created a buzz among major players in the global industry with its revolutionary new solar module that integrates the principles of concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) technology into a flat panel design without the need for expensive lenses or mirrors.

NSW Solar Audit Reveals Problems
There are approximately 120,000 solar households in New South Wales and preliminary results of an audit of 658 systems in Sydney's southwest show 122 had significant safety issues, mainly related to wiring problems, said NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell yesterday.

Wednesday 29 June, 2011

1 Million Square Foot Rooftop Solar Power System Announced
Holt Logistics has announced it will work in partnership with SunPower Corp to build the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic installation in North America at Holt’s Gloucester Marine Terminal in New Jersey.

Cost Of Solar Power Systems In Australia To Skyrocket
A recent report from Green Energy Markets predicts the cost of solar power systems in Australia after rebates will increase substantially - jumping by as much as 90% compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Energy Matters Video News - Episode 35 - June 29, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers changes to South Australia's feed in tariff, solar heading for grid parity in 100 countries by 2020, solar power poised to trump fossil fuel on cost and and rooftop solar now as economical as large scale PV.

Tuesday 28 June, 2011

NSW Solar Power Industry In Crisis - AuSES
In the lead-up to the New South Wales' Government's latest Solar Summit to be held this Friday, the Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has called on the solar industry, solar households and supporters to mobilise in order to help ensure the sector remains viable in the state.

Revolutionary Solar Cell Efficiency Test Developed By NREL
In order to bring forward the time where solar energy can stand alongside more traditional forms of power generation, solar panels must be constructed using the highest efficiency photovoltaic cells, but be manufactured as cheaply as possible.

Call For Coal Funding To Go To Mallee Solar Park
An environmental group is demanding that government funding earmarked for a new coal fired power station in Victoria be redirected to the construction of Mallee Solar Park; a 180 MW solar panel based power station.

Monday 27 June, 2011

U.S. Government Backs Major Commercial Rooftop Solar Power Project
U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu last week announced a conditional commitment towards a partial guarantee for a $1.4 billion loan to support a commercial solar power initiative called Project Amp.

Bosch Announces Major Solar Manufacturing Plant For Malaysia
Bosch is continuing to make major inroads into the global solar PV market, recently announcing a new solar panel manufacturing site in the Batu Kawan region in Penang, Malaysia.

Thursday 23 June, 2011

World's First Baseload Solar Farm Now Operating
One of the anti-solar arguments often used is solar farms can't produce electricity at night or in very low light conditions. It's an argument that is rapidly running out of steam.

UPDATE: South Australia Solar Feed In Tariff Changes
It was a tense day for South Australia's solar industry and supporters as the future of the State's solar feed in tariff was voted on.

Australia's Productivity Commission Pounded Over Solar Slagging
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), Greens deputy leader Christine Milne and Independents Tony Windsor and Rob Oakeshott have all added their voices to rejecting the findings of a recent Productivity Commission report in relation to small scale solar power.

Wednesday 22 June, 2011

Rooftop Solar Power Now As Cheap As Large Scale PV Per Watt
Announcements relating to large scale solar power stations may grab the headlines, but when it comes to bang for buck, small and medium scale installations cost around the same or less per watt and can offer other benefits says Jeremy Rich, CEO of Australian solar solutions provider Energy Matters.

Solar Energy Poised To Trump Fossil Fuels On Cost
Solar energy is poised to challenge fossil fuels as the most economical form of power generation on the planet, with the installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems expected to rise dramatically.

Energy Matters Video News - Episode 34 - June 22, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers a report stating home solar power can be a better investment than shares, the Climate Institute calls for a stop to the scapegoating of renewable energy and two major projects to receive funding under the Australian government's Solar Flagships program.

U.S. Researchers Formulate Solar Variability Law
Researchers from the University of San Diego have discovered a new "solar variability law" that can be used to predict how fluctuations in weather conditions - such as clouds passing over the sun - will affect power output from solar panels.

Mr. President, About Those Solar Panels You Promised..
Last October, U.S. President Barack Obama made a commitment to install solar panels and a solar hot water system on the roof of the White House; a project that is still yet to be carried out.

Tuesday 21 June, 2011

Solar To Achieve Grid Parity In 100 Countries By 2020
Solar panel manufacturer Applied Materials is marking the northern hemisphere’s summer solstice by forecasting that by the year 2020, over 100 countries will have access to solar-power sourced electricity at prices comparable to traditional sources.

NSW Solar Summit 2 Announced
New South Wales Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher has announced the NSW Solar Summit 2, which will be held on 1 July, 2011 at the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources.

Solar Flagships Round 1 - Winners and Losers
Australia's Federal Government recently announced funding amounting to over three quarters of a billion dollars to go towards building two of the biggest solar farms in the world.

Monday 20 June, 2011

Rooftop Solar Power A Better Investment Than Shares
An independent think tank believes Australian retirees investing in solar power will find it a more profitable investment than BHP Billiton shares and safer than bank shares.

SunPower Solar Panel Awarded Guinness World Record
SunPower Corporation has been awarded the Guinness World Record for the most efficient solar panel on the commercial market - its new E20 series of rooftop modules.

Friday 17 June, 2011

Climate Institute : Stop Scapegoating Renewable Energy
Australia's Climate Institute is calling for an end to protection for big polluters under Australia’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), with a new report revealing households and businesses will foot a $7.1 billion bill to prop up the high-emissions sector over the life of the scheme.

Italy Says No To Nuclear Power - Again
A recent referendum in Italy has resulted in a resounding vote against nuclear energy, with over 94 percent of Italians opposed to the construction of nuclear power stations in the country.

U.S. Solar PV Installations Up 66% In Q1
In the first quarter of 2011, photovoltaic (PV) solar installations in the USA jumped by 66 percent over the same period last year and latest figures show America is poised to become the global market leader in large-scale concentrated solar energy.

Thursday 16 June, 2011

Solar Power's Carbon Abatement Cost Exaggerated
The Australian Productivity Commission's recent report questioning the value and benefit of residential solar power is misinformed says Jeremy Rich, CEO of national solar solutions provider Energy Matters.

Energy Matters Video News - Episode 33 - June 16, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers forecast electricity price rises in Australia, Australian Greens announce a solar roundtable conference, the latest Australian National Photovoltaic Association report and the NSW Government guarantees solar power net metering.

Australians Believe Government Failing In Renewables Support
According to a report prepared for the Multi-Party Committee on Climate Change (MPCCC) by the 100% Renewable Energy Campaign, Australians overwhelmingly believe the government should be implementing strong policy to support new jobs and investment in renewable energy, but think the Federal Government is failing to support clean energy technologies like solar and wind.

Wednesday 15 June, 2011

Google Pours A Quarter Billion Into Residential Rooftop Solar Power
Google has announced the creation of a USD$280 million fund to finance residential solar power installations.

Australian Electricity Prices Expected To Rise 30% By 2013
The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) estimates residential electricity prices are forecast to have increased by 30% on average in nominal terms nationally since last year to 2012-2013 - and it's again been made clear renewable energy will not be the major contributor.

$2 Billion In Conditional Loans For 2 U.S. Solar Farms
The United States’ Department of Energy (DOE) will look to double the installed capacity of America’s concentrated solar power (CSP) by offering a $2 billion conditional loan to support two state-of-the-art CSP facilities - the Mojave Solar Project, and the Genesis Solar Project, both located in California.

Tuesday 14 June, 2011

Australian Greens Announce Solar Roundtable Conference
Australia has lost its best and brightest solar prospects to flourishing markets in Germany, the USA and China over many years as a result of systemic government failure to support large-scale solar power infrastructure, according to Greens Deputy Leader, Christine Milne.

Global Military To Spend Billions On Renewable Energy
According to new research into defence spending on renewable energy technology around the world, it will be the rise in global military applications, in particular within USA’s Department of Defence (DOD), which will shape future key areas of the clean energy sector.

Australian National Photovoltaics Status Report
A recent report published by the Australian PV Association (APVA), prepared for the International Energy Agency, shows Australia experienced massive growth in the sector last year.

NSW Government Guarantees Solar Power Net Metering
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) has confirmed the NSW Government will allow all new home solar power system connections in the state to occur on the basis of net metering.

Sunday 12 June, 2011

Office Of Fair Trading Warns Of Solar Power Scams
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) is warning Queenslanders about dealing with a solar company that has failed to deliver on orders.

Industry Led National Solar Summit Announced
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have announced an industry led national solar summit to develop a national strategy to ensure the ongoing viability of the sector.

Friday 10 June, 2011

Student Invents $20 Solar Tracking System
A 19 year old Princeton University student has won the Scotiabank EcoLiving Student Leadership Award for her invention - a $20 tracking rotation system that maximizes the output of solar panels so 40 percent fewer panels are required compared to stationary systems.

Europe's First Green Train Powered By Solar Tunnel
Passengers travelling via high-speed rail between Paris and Amsterdam will ride Europe’s first "green" train, after electricity from a 16,000 solar panel installation on the roof of a tunnel in Antwerp begins to flow into the rail system grid.

Thursday 09 June, 2011

South Australia Solar Feed In Tariff Debate Continues
The Australian Greens have developed an alternative proposal to the South Australian Government's planned feed in tariff revisions that they say will help ensure a viable solar industry in South Australia and allow an additional 40,000 households in the state make the switch to solar power.

Germany's 100,000 Strong Solar PV Workforce
Germany's solar photovoltaic (PV) industry now employs more workers than the steel production sector in the USA says Germany Trade and Invest.

Wednesday 08 June, 2011

Tasmanians Face Major Electricity Price Increase From July
Already faced with an 8.5% increase from July, Tasmania's electricity customers may face up to a 10.97% jump after Aurora Energy submitted a proposal to Tasmania’s independent Economic Regulator to further bump up rates.

GE Energy Increases Stake In Solar Power Revolution
GE Energy has announced it will buy into a minority share agreement with California-based eSolar, manufacturer of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants, a move the company hopes will give it a leading edge in the global solar revolution.

Australia Drops In Renewable Energy Attractiveness Rankings (Again)
The latest Ernst & Young Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices have seen Australia drop in ranking for the second time this year.

Tuesday 07 June, 2011

Energy Matters Takes Its Solar Power Revolution To Perth
Backed by a professional installation network of one hundred qualified electricians, national solar power solutions provider Energy Matters' new Perth branch is already helping many Western Australian households make the switch to solar before generous incentives are reduced.

NSW Government Backs Down On Solar Feed In Tariff Cut
Several media outlets are reporting NSW Premier O'Farrell has backed down on his decision to slash the contracted solar feed in tariff rate for those who originally joined the New South Wales Solar Bonus Scheme.

Pro-Carbon Tax Rallies Attract Thousands
Nearly 45,000 Australians took part in rallies occurring simultaneously in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Hobart and Canberra to support the Government's plans to impose a carbon tax on the nation's biggest polluters.

Toyota UK Installing 17,000 Solar Panels
Last week it was Renault, this week it's Toyota in the UK announcing plans to harvest energy from the sun with a major solar panel array to help power its manufacturing facilities.

Monday 06 June, 2011

Solar Power Systems Boost Australian Home Values
Rising electricity prices will further increase the value of existing green homes and commercial properties says Archicentre, the building inspection service of the Australian Institute of Architects.

NREL National Wind Technology Center Testing 3MW Turbine
In America, the philosophy of 'bigger is better' relates as much to renewable energy innovation as it does to steaks and cowboy hats.

Solar Assisted Energy Positive Commercial Building For Norway
A consortium called the Powerhouse Alliance has announced it will construct Norway’s first energy-positive commercial building, which will also be the northern-most development of its kind in the world.

Friday 03 June, 2011

Queensland Electricity Prices To Jump
The Queensland Competition Authority has given the nod to further electricity price hikes, with the Benchmark Retail Cost Index (BRCI) set to increase by an estimated 6.6% in 2011-2012.

Thursday 02 June, 2011

Australia's First Commercial Solar Roof Lease Launched In The ACT
National solar solutions provider Energy Matters recently launched Australia's first commercial solar roof lease; further affirming the ACT's standing as Australia's solar power capital.

Harnessing Solar Power To Measure Air Pollution
Using solar power means a reduction in pollution being pumped into the atmosphere in relation to electricity generation emissions, but at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), solar power is also being used to measure concentration levels of the harmful chemicals in the air produced by humanity's various activities.

Renault Announces Major Solar Power Project
The automotive industry is continuing to get its solar game on, with Renault joining the ranks of auto makers looking to reduce their carbon emission impact and electricity costs through the installation of renewable energy systems.

Wednesday 01 June, 2011

UPDATE: ACT Closes Micro Solar Feed In Tariff
Minister for the Environment and Sustainable Development, Simon Corbell, has announced the end of the Micro Generator component of the ACT Solar Feed-In Tariff Scheme for new connections.

Save Solar - NSW Rallies Announced
The Australian Solar Energy Society (AuSES) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have announced a series of rallies in New South Wales to protest what AuSES says are government "plans to destroy NSW's solar industry and renege on contracts to provide 120,000 solar customers with the 60c feed-in-tariff they relied on."

GFC Saw EU Carbon Emissions Decline
While the worldwide financial collapse of 2008-2009 was a disaster in terms of job losses and fiscal security, latest figures from the European Environment Agency (EEA) show the global financial crisis combined with sustained strong growth in renewable energy led to a dramatic fall in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2009.

Germany Denounces Nuclear Energy, Solar Power Shines
Germany, a country with far less solar resources than sunshine drenched Australia, looks set to continue its reputation of being a solar power stronghold. Germany has decided to end its love affair with nuclear power and "no provision has been made for a way back".