Wind and solar power to the rescue as electricity blackouts threaten
Wind and solar energy generation will help protect Australians from electricity blackouts this summer. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Victoria and South Australia face a high risk of blackouts if no action is taken. AEMO’s Summer 2018-19 Readiness Plan aims to minimise the risk of customer supply disruption. To do this, AEMO […]
Origin Energy demand management system to be rolled out across Australia
The Origin Energy demand management trial in South Australia has proved so successful it will now be rolled out nationally. Practical examples of demand management technology include Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) which network individual home batteries into a single energy source. There are also schemes in which households agree with retailers to cut energy use […]
Australian voters want cheaper and cleaner energy: Ipsos poll
Nearly half of Australian voters want lower energy bills, while two in five voters want cleaner energy. That’s the verdict of a October 2018 Fairfax Ipsos poll focusing on voters’ priorities. While 47 per cent of the 1,200 voters polled say cheaper energy is most important, 39 per cent prioritised lower carbon emissions. Cleaner energy […]
Queensland home battery grants to drive new wave of renewable energy
Queenslanders can take advantage of a new grants and loans scheme to install home batteries. Energy Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said 1,500 Queensland households and small businesses would be able to cut their power bills by storing solar power and using it after sunset after being financially assisted by home battery grants. “Queensland householders can […]
New approved solar retailers code to maintain integrity of Australia’s solar PV industry
Australian solar consumers will soon be protected under a single approved solar retailers code covering panel and inverter installations, home batteries and behind-the-meter products. The new industry-wide code will replace the existing Solar Retailer approval program run by the Clean Energy Council (CEC). It will include a wide range of industry, energy and solar consumer groups. […]
Solar panel installations cost to increase from 1 Jan 2019
STC support from Australia’s Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme will decrease next year, raising the solar panel installations cost across the nation. The scheme awards a number of small-scale technology certificates (STCs) to households and businesses that install solar panels. The size of the solar power system determines the number of STCs for the system. The […]
Solar Panels Rebate turbo-charges uptake of solar in Victoria
The following is an article on the Victorian solar panels rebate from MASH (More Australian Solar Homes) written by the Program Lead, Jo Kaptein. A massive 260 households have ordered solar through MASH since the 19th of August 2018 when the Victorian State Government solar panels rebate was announced. Worth up to $2225, the rebate is stimulating mega-demand through the […]
Can you protect your solar panels from the shadow of towering developments?
The popularity of solar panels is growing in homes across Australia. However, at the same time, population growth means that more developments keep springing up around our cities. This means “solar access” is more important than ever. Solar panel installations can’t function at peak capacity if sunlight is blocked by surrounding trees or development. In some […]
NSW government’s Clean Energy Initiatives include smart energy support for homes & businesses
The NSW government has announced Clean Energy Initiatives to tackle high electricity costs and energy security. It will also look at smart energy for homes and businesses by creating virtual power plants. The Department of Planning and Environment’s clean energy package consists of six programs. These six initiatives are designed to assist households and businesses to […]
Vinnies report shows rising electricity prices and confusing bills are causing chaos
A new electricity consumer report from the St Vincent de Paul Society shows electricity price standing offers in the eastern states have risen on average 75 per cent since 2009. Vinnies’ Tariff-Tracking Project examines the impact of energy prices on Australian households each year. The project also aims to improve community awareness and understanding of tariffs, […]
