By collaborating with friends, neighbours or work associates within a local area, a solar buyers group wields increased buying power. Through bulk ordering, members of a solar buyers group can have a residential grid connect system installed at well below market prices.
Researchers at Australian National University Centre for Solar Energy Systems have unveiled new solar panel technology that they believe will greatly reduce the cost of solar power systems, provide greater shade tolerance and allow for the simultaneous heating of water .
Toyota and SunPower Corporation, a leading solar panel manufacturer, have announced the completion of the largest single-roof solar panel installation in North America, covering an area equivalent of 4 soccer fields.
The USA renewable energy industry is rejoicing this evening after the US Senate approved the extension of tax credits which will stimulate investment in renewables technology in the USA.
The ATA (Alternative Technology Association), Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation promoting sustainable technology and practice recently weighed in on the issue of feed in tariffs; one of the hottest topics in the Australian renewable energy industry.
Greenpeace Australia is the latest organization to slam the Federal Government’s plans for a global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute to be set up in Australia next year, stating that carbon dioxide sequestration is unproven technology and carries the risk of carbon dioxide gases escaping into the environment.
Engineers and scientists at The University of Texas at Austin recently announced a breakthrough that may lead to the ability of storing massive quantities of electricity in ultracapacitor devices. The researchers have been investigating the use of a one-atom thick structure called “graphene” that could double the capacity of existing ultracapacitors.
Late last week, the Clean Energy Council, Australia’s national clean energy industry peak body, published a submission to the federal government underlining the concept of energy efficiency as being the cheapest path to a low carbon economy.
While Japan has been firmly entrenched as the leading country for photovoltaic cell production for many years, the last 12 months has seen a major reshuffle, with some well established solar panel companies being ousted from the top 10 and 4 Asian companies now being among the major players.
The world’s largest solar energy event – the ASES National Solar Tour is about to kick off in the USA and is expected to attract over 150,000 people this year. Is it time for Australia to host such an event?
