Zimbabwe’s pain highlights the perils of cheap, inferior solar panels
Scores of Zimbabwe residents have been forced to learn the hard way that cheap, imported panels are too good to be true. Opportunistic Chinese e-businesses have preyed on Zimbabwe, flooding the country with dodgy panels that often fail before they even generate any power. It has come after a period of extreme drought in the […]
Solar-hydro plant to be constructed over coal-fired plant in the Upper Hunter
The Hunter region of New South Wales has long been associated with coal. Now, a soon to be de-commissioned coal-fired power plant will be used to construct a brand new solar-hydro hybrid plant. The Liddell coal-fired station site in the NSW Upper Hunter is reaching its end of life, and energy provider AGL has announced […]
Environment Minister puts solar industry on notice, saying start recycling now
Australia faces a “landfill nightmare” unless a solid plan to recycle end of life solar panels is put in place right now. That was the message from Federal Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley in an address to the National Press Club this week, in which she blasted the lack of action to date. “I […]
Which children’s toys are the most sustainable?
Do you want to buy eco-friendly toys for your children? There are many different brands and types of toys available, but not all are good for the environment. You must know what to look out for when buying a toy to be both safe and sustainable. What to look for in eco-friendly toys The best […]
The house built to survive climate change
A Queensland consortium has come together to create a disaster-resilient house that will stand up to storms, bushfires and floods caused by climate change. One House is the brainchild of major Queensland insurers Suncorp, who have partnered with James Cook University’s Cyclone Testing Station, CSIRO, and Room11 Architects to design and test the home. It […]
Queensland capital launches first 100 per cent solar-powered bus
Brisbane City Council has launched its first 100 per cent solar-powered bus into the public transport system, and there are plans for more to join it in the capital soon. The jacaranda-coloured bus has been rolled out on Brisbane’s free City Loop service and comes equipped with a suite of luxury features, including USB charging […]
Load shifting: How to get the most out of your solar system
Around three million Australians are now enjoying lower electricity bills thanks to rooftop solar systems. But did you know that you could be getting more value out of your panels and even lower bills? Load shifting is a technique that allows you to maximise the efficiency of your roof and lower your bill even more. […]
Financial services giant to invest in $5 million to power Bitcoin with solar
Square, a financial payments company, and Blockstream, a Bitcoin infrastructure firm, have announced a $5 million partnership to power crypto mining with solar power. The project will be completely transparent, with the economics of the build-out including the operational costs and return on investment to be made open to the public. It is hoped that […]
Proposed export tax would deter two-thirds of homeowners from installing solar
A new survey has revealed that two-thirds of New South Wales residents would not purchase solar rooftop systems in the future if a tax or charge were introduced to send energy back to the grid. Independent community organisation Solar Citizens surveyed 1000 New South Wales residents and found that almost sixty per cent of respondents […]
Your FAQs about solar batteries answered
Solar batteries are the future of energy storage. They can store renewable electricity generated during the day and release it at night when demand is high. This means that your home will be powered by clean, green electricity even after the sun goes down. Here at Energy Matters, we know that many people have questions, […]
