Plan To Run Melbourne’s Trams On Solar Power

Melbourne, Victoria - Solar Powered Tram

Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world – and it could soon be running on the power of the sun. According to Wikipedia, the Melbourne tramway network consisted of 250 kilometres of track, 493 trams, 25 routes, and 1,763 tram stops as at May last year. While trams may be an efficient and […]

1.1 Billion Still Without Electricity

Universal Electricity Access

A great deal of progress has been made in bringing access to electricity to people around the world, but more than a billion are still relying on polluting fuels for light says the World Bank. Nearly 3 billion people also still cook using polluting fuels like kerosene, wood, charcoal and animal dung. A new report […]

Renewable Energy Target Review Impasse Ends

RET review agreement

Are we there yet? Nearly. The battle-weary participants of the Great Renewable Energy Target Review Rumble of 2014/15 may soon be able to rest. The Abbott Government has decided to back down on its insistence of reviews of the RET every two years – an issue that was the most recent deal breaker for Labor […]

Moth Eyes, Lotus Leaf Biomimicry To Boost Solar Efficiency

solar glass coating

The atomic structure of a moth’s eye and lotus leaves have inspired scientists from the USA’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to create new water-repelling, anti-reflective glass coating that could increase the efficiency of solar panels by up to six per cent. “While lotus leaves repel water and self-clean when it rains, a moth’s eyes […]

Power Bills Set To Jump In Western Australia

Western Australia electricity prices

From July 1 this year, households in Western Australia will again need to find extra money to deal with increasing electricity costs – and some seniors will cop an added hit. Western Australia Treasurer Dr Mike Nahan  handed down the 2015 WA State Budget last Thursday and in it was an unwelcome electric shock – […]

Solar An Answer For Struggling Dairy Farmers

Solar Power - Dairy Farms

While electricity consumption on Australia’s dairy farms may not have increased by much in recent years; electricity charges have – an added and very unwelcome pressure. According to an article on Business Spectator by Keith Orchison, small farms are now spending up to $75 a day powering dairies compared to between $20 and $45 five […]

Victoria Backs State Based Renewable Energy Targets

Victoria - Renewable Energy Target

Victoria’s Andrews Labor Government has called on the Federal Government to remove legislation that prevents State Governments from having their own Renewable Energy Target (RET) type schemes. A petition from Labor concerning the action states if Section 7c is removed it will reinstate the Victorian Renewable Energy Target (VRET) scheme to top up the national […]

NYC Food Trucks Going Solar

Solar assisted food cart

A new pilot program to provide 500 solar assisted food carts to vendors throughout New York City neighborhoods was announced earlier this week. The environmental footprint of New York City’s 8,000 food carts and trucks isn’t inconsequential. According to environmental non-profit group Energy Vision, more than 60% of the carts use gasoline or diesel powered […]

New Incentive For Australian Businesses To Go Solar

Budget 2015 - Business Solar

Budget 2015 had a nice surprise for small businesses contemplating installing solar power systems. The case for doing so is now even more compelling. On Tuesday night, Treasurer Joe Hockey announced details of the Government’s small business package. Among the measures was a significant boost in the value of items that can be written off […]

Solar And Old Hybrid Batteries Powering Yellowstone Campus

Solar and Storage - Yellowstone - Toyota

Toyota has combined solar panels with old Camry Hybrid battery packs to power a ranger station and education center at Lamar Buffalo Ranch  in Yellowstone National Park. The 40kW solar power system charges 208 repackaged battery packs recovered from Toyota dealers across the United States. The battery packs have been internally re-wired in parallel and […]