$55 million for stage 2 of Queensland solar farm

Clean Energy Finance Corp.

Oakey in the Darling Downs will be the site of the next Queensland  Solar Farm, and the farm will receive a further $55 million from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC). The Corporation is adding to its initial $19.5 million commitment to the 80 MW farm. CEFC Large-Scale Solar lead Gloria Chan said the project […]

Queenslanders to get energy efficient appliance rebates

Clean energy projects bid for CleanCo contracts in Queensland.

Queensland households will soon be enjoying government rebates for buying energy efficient appliances. These apply to new four-star appliances bought by householders after 1 January 2018. Rebates are: $300 for air conditioners. $250 for fridges. $200 for washing machines. Households may therefore save up to $50 per year with energy-efficient fridges and washing machines. Annual […]

Victorian renewable energy farm to be a ‘world-first’

Wind farms in Victoria

The Andrews government has announced its intention to build a large renewable energy farm in western Victoria. The wind and energy storage battery farm should create about 1,300 jobs in the region. The project will also be a ‘world first’ – in that it will be the world’s first ever crop farm to be powered entirely by […]

Community virtual solar battery saves $$ for hundreds of Canberra residents

Solar batteries in Canberra

Australians have always been a practical bunch, and when it comes to our country’s energy problems many  are not waiting around for the Government to act. Instead, they are taking matters into their own hands by installing rooftop solar with home solar battery storage systems. In some instances residents are going further – by building a […]

Affordable solar panels throw a lifeline to refugees

Solar panels

Affordable house solar panels are common in Australia, and we typically use them to reduce energy costs. In other parts of the world, they can be a lifesaver – by providing electricity to people in remote areas, and to refugees on the move. Several aid agencies have been working to bring solar power to refugee […]

It’s official: Tesla big battery exceeds expectations

Solar batteries boost lifestyle as proven by installation of Tesla PowerWall2.

The Tesla big battery is not only up and running in South Australia, it’s already kicked in and saved the day. It took just 140 milliseconds for the new battery to respond when a major coal-fired power plant failed in mid-December. The transition was so seamless, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) failed to successfully […]

UNSW mourns loss of solar engineering pioneer and inventor

UNSW

UNSW is mourning the loss of solar engineering pioneer Professor Stuart Wenham, who died just before Christmas. Director of UNSW Photovoltaics Centre of Excellence, Professor Wenham was renowned worldwide as inventor of solar cell technologies. Colleagues say his influence on the global transition to renewable energy has therefore been considerable. According to UNSW Dean of […]

Christmas lights and energy bills illuminate high cost of electricity

Power bills rise over Xmas.

Aussies are spending a fortune on electricity to get into the Christmas spirit, new research shows. The survey by comparison site finder.com.au found that during the Christmas season Australians will spend $163 million on energy bills, purely to power their lights. The high cost of electricity this year means only 11 per cent of families […]

Ongoing demand for solar power drives up STC price

CER proposes change to federal solar rebate amount

A predicted increase in demand for Small-scale technology certificates (STCs) in 2018 which will affect the STC price is good news for solar retailers and customers. According to a new analysis by the Australian Clean Energy Regulator, there was a 25 per cent increase in STCs in 2017. This is likely to continue into 2018. […]