New report reveals which electric vehicles deliver best range
Many countries have seen a massive upswing in electric vehicle (EV) adoption in recent years, with companies like Tesla blazing a trail for more traditional car makers to join the electric revolution. Driven by a promise of reduced emissions and environmentally friendly transportation, Australians are recognising the competitive costs to run EVs compared to petrol-powered […]
Queensland’s solar energy tariffs: making the most of the Sunshine State
Queensland feed-in tariffs are some of Australia’s best, and the state has the highest solar panel installation rate in Australia. According to the Clean Energy Australia 2018 report, Queensland is leading Australia’s rooftop solar boom with eight of the country’s Top 10 postcodes for installations. The effectiveness of solar was demonstrated by a heatwave in […]
What job opportunities are available in the Australian solar industry?
The Australian solar industry is healthy, smart and growing. In fact, the figures speak for themselves. Australia now has 2 million rooftop solar installations, Clean Energy Council figures show. Solar jobs in January 2018 passed the 10,000 mark for combined solar projects, according to Green Energy Markets. Victoria’s renewable energy boom will create around 6,000 […]
Solar energy glossary: Definitions and terms of the solar energy industry
The solar power industry, like all industries, has its own jargon, as well as professional organisations and regulators. Reading about solar energy is like hacking through a strange forest populated with VPPs, STCs, kilowatt hours and gigawatts. Energy Matters’ Australian solar energy glossary is intended to help those looking for simple definitions of commonly used […]
Can you go off-grid with solar power?
Living off-grid – that is, living independently of the main grid, big power companies and big power bills – can seem very appealing when you consider ever-increasing electricity costs. There are some areas which through lack of choice have to be off grid. Traditionally, gas or diesel has powered generators for these areas. But for […]
Building energy efficient homes: 4 ways to achieve smart energy use
This Energy Matters article is about building energy efficient homes. We’ve divided it into four parts, covering energy sources, monitoring and voltage. The first part is about solar panels, the second on home battery energy storage, and the third about energy monitoring system PowerPlay. Finally, we look at a new home voltage regulation device called […]
Six ways to enjoy a solar powered garden
A solar powered garden is easier to achieve than you think. After all, all gardens are already solar powered – that’s how the plants make their food! But what does a solar powered garden mean today? Yes, you can use your solar installation to run your electric lawn mower and power tools. But solar technology […]
Top 10 solar energy saving tips for summer 2018-19
Who doesn’t want to save money? With summer approaching, now’s the time to check out the best solar energy saving tips and more, with Energy Matters. There’s a bewildering array of energy savings tips and gadgets out there. But which ones will save money and not waste your time in the sun? So, relax, put […]
Solar batteries comparison – How do the brands stack up?
A solar battery allows you to store solar power that you can’t use immediately for use later on. By installing a battery, you can avoid wasting or losing unused power you have generated from your solar installation. You don’t need to have a battery installed at the same time as your solar panels. You can […]
Clean energy investor confidence shaky due to policy uncertainty: CEC survey
The Clean Energy Council (CEC) ‘Clean Energy Outlook Confidence Index’ survey of industry executives on clean energy investment shows long-term clean energy investor confidence is not looking good, largely due to policy uncertainty. When asked about confidence in investing in renewable energy projects, the results were mixed depending on the state or territory. However, overall the […]
