A simple cup of coffee inspired a research breakthrough that could see perovskite solar cells replace silicon ones. Graduate student Rui Wang from UCLA was drinking coffee with colleagues in March last year. Wang decided to test whether caffeine’s chemical structure could solve perovskite’s key problem – its inability to cope with harsh sunlight. His […]
Thirteen of Victoria’s public water corporations have banded together to purchase solar energy in an effort to cut water industry carbon emissions. The venture will operate under a new organisation called Zero Emissions Water Ltd (ZEW). It’s the latest in a suite of climate-friendly announcements from the Andrews Labor Government. Under the deal, the corporations […]
An agricultural lobby group wants the next Federal Government to promote smart technology like solar panels and battery storage to support competitiveness. Agricultural energy costs are proving a challenge to farmers. The Ag Energy Taskforce 2019 Federal Election Policy says farmers are now battling to supply the nation’s food and other resources as energy bills […]
Cheaper, cleaner and industry-building – just three reasons why a renewable energy solution is the answer to Australia’s future. So says a recently released report. The report also demolishes the “baseload myth“. The claims come from a report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, authored by Tim Buckley, director of Energy Finance […]
Households in Western Australia are bracing for new power bill hikes – an additional 2 per cent to annual bills. According to The West Australian, this means power bills have increased by around 20 per cent since Mark McGowan’s Labor Government took office in 2017. The increase also represents a 100 per cent increase in […]
Australia still has a promising solar thermal technology future despite a major Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project in South Australia failing because of financing issues. Energy expert Simon Currie says the emerging CSP industry can overcome the collapse of SolarReserve’s $650 million Aurora project near Port Augusta. Solar thermal technology is perfect for Australian conditions, […]
Australia’s coal-fired power stations will retire over the next decade or two and other forms of energy, like wind and solar power, will take over. Alongside this change will be the need for large-scale national battery storage. Batteries are important because energy operators need to “firm up” the intermittent power from solar and wind. Even […]
A new apartment complex for low incomes residents has achieved a 7-star rating under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS). The building in Liverpool, NSW, features high-performance glass, insulation to floors, ceilings and walls, and shade to windows. In addition, the six-storey complex has rooftop solar panels installed, along with ceiling fans in every room. […]
Renewable jobs are growing across Australia with jobs in the solar sector growing fastest. Yesterday’s figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show the highest level of estimated full-time equivalent (FTE) employment in renewable energy since 2011-12. The Employment in Renewable Energy Activities, Australia, 2017-18 report shows the staggering advance of solar energy. Construction […]
Researchers in the UK predict the global popularity of solar power is contributing to an increase in the price of silver. Silver is the most conductive element for both electrical and thermal energy. As a result, it is used widely in the production of solar panels. As solar panel demand increases, so does the demand […]