New feed-in tariffs to boost UK solar industry after May drop off
New feed-in tariffs (FiTs) will boost the United Kingdom’s solar industry following a government turnaround on the controversial subsidies. The Conservative UK government scrapped the nation’s previous FiT scheme in April this year, leading to a rapid downturn in new solar installations. As a result new installations fell by 94 per cent within a month. […]
Australia’s first electric police car signals new era for Victoria’s Highway Patrol
Victoria Police have purchased the nation’s first electric police car for use on highway patrols. The Tesla Model X will join the department’s Road Policing Command to reduce impact on the environment as well as helping police integrate new technology. The use of electric vehicles (EV) could signal a new era in Australian road policing […]
Overdue federal report shows rising greenhouse gas emissions put Paris climate target in jeopardy
The overdue quarterly update of Australia’s greenhouse gases shows rising emissions will make it hard to meet our Paris Agreement obligations. Released five days after its due date, the Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory reveals a 0.7 per cent overall increase in carbon emissions over the previous year. Government data shows emissions […]
Nation’s top solar university commits to 100% renewable energy
The nation’s top solar university research hub, the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in Sydney, has announced it will switch to 100 per cent renewable energy by 2020. Underpinning the goal is a 15-year power-purchase-agreement with the Sunraysia solar farm in western NSW. The PPA is a tripartite arrangement with project developer Maoneng and […]
Car giants Jaguar Land Rover and BMW team up to develop new electric vehicles
UK car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has partnered with German-based BMW to develop new electric vehicles and technology. The companies say they will reduce cost by sharing research and production planning for a new breed of EVs. The BBC reports they will also share the costs of buying car components. Several EV manufacturers now share […]
Mike Cannon-Brookes to Australia: replace ‘dying’ coal industry with clean energy
Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes has told an audience of financiers that exporting coal is a ‘dying’ industry. Instead, Australia should replace the coal and gas components of mining with clean energy. The tech billionaire made the comments during an audience Q&A at Morgan Stanley’s Australia Summit on Tuesday. Cannon-Brookes said that in 15 to 25 years […]
Adelaide office tower scores state’s first 6 star NABERS Energy rating
An Adelaide office tower claims to be South Australia’s first 6 star NABERS Energy rated building. The building at 50 Flinders Street is also the first to get a NABERS Indoor Environment rating, according to developers. Reported by The Fifth Estate, the building originally had a 5 star rating. Upgrades including a 66 kW solar PV installation also […]
Rock legend Jimmy Barnes blasts Liberal MP over climate blaming
Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes blasted Liberal MP Nicolle Flint over her climate blaming on last night’s Q&A on ABC TV. The South Australian MP blamed typical Australian weather for SA’s 2016 statewide blackout. Renewable energy sources alone can’t generate enough reliable and affordable power to avoid this situation, Flint told the audience. However, the raspy-voiced Cold […]
Aussie musos strike a green chord with renewable investment platform
Big name Australian musicians are launching a unique platform to fight climate change and boost renewable investment. Acts including Midnight Oil, Regurgitator, Cloud Control, The Rubens and Vance Joy want others in the entertainment industry to back the venture. It will then invest in solar farms like the Brigalow project in Queensland. FEAT (Future Energy […]
Actsmart: ACT businesses can claim $5,000 rebate on solar panel installations
Businesses in the Australian Capital Territory can now claim rebates for installing solar panels. Canberra solar installations could be eligible for rebates of up to $5,000. These rebates are available to ACT businesses through the Actsmart Solar for Business trial program that is now under way. The eligible businesses will also receive tailored advice to […]