Noosa solar power systems on Council buildings mean clean energy boost
The beautiful resort town of Noosa is to get a clean energy boost after the local council announced plans to install solar systems on four of its buildings. The Noosa solar scene is significantly boosted by the announcement. Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has plans to be carbon neutral by 2026. In fact, Noosa Council […]
Port Augusta solar thermal power plant will be biggest of its type in the world
South Australia’s reputation as the solar hub of Australia is growing, after the state government approved construction of a solar thermal power plant near Port Augusta. The 150 MW solar thermal power plant will also be the biggest of its kind in the world. The project will create 650 local jobs during construction and 50 […]
Getting off the grid with microgrids
With ever increasing prices and the threat of summer blackouts, more and more Australians are looking for alternative ways to get their energy. And many are turning to peer to peer microgrids. Microgrids help households go off grid and benefit from reduced bills and p2p trading with their neighbours. They are also an advantage if you […]
Aussies turn to renewables to cut business power bills
The rising price of electricity is not only affecting households. Manufacturers are also looking for ways to cut business power bills. One example is precision tool manufacturer ANCA, based in the outer Melbourne Bayside area. It’s an international company, employing 1,000 staff globally and turning over $180 million last year. Co-founder Pat Boland had an […]
Solar panel installation by Australians in 2017 in record numbers
The rising cost of domestic electricity led to record numbers of solar panel installation by Australians installing solar panel systems. According to a Bloomberg report, the Clean Energy Regulator estimates 1.05 GW of solar capacity was installed in Australia in 2017. This puts solar panel installation at record levels and not expected to slow down […]
Hydrogen-powered vehicle launched by Hyundai
This week Hyundai unveiled its latest hydrogen-powered vehicle: the Nexo SUV. With an 800 kilometre range, the car takes just five minutes to refill. Hydrogen fuel cells are now attracting the attention of car makers, which means there’s more than one way of using solar energy for fuel. Electric vehicles are just beginning to take […]
Women in renewables leading the way in the clean and solar energy industry
Women in renewables are smashing the clean energy industry glass ceiling, with increasing numbers of females reaching senior ranks. In addition, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) has introduced an e-mentoring program designed to help women advance in their renewables careers. This CEC Women in Renewables project identifies senior women and men who are keen to mentor […]
Coal fails: Solar power thrives in summer, but coal and gas plants can’t take the heat
Solar is thriving in the Australian summer even as soaring temperatures cause traditional coal and gas plants to fail. The Australia Institute’s (AI) Twitter feed records each time a coal or gas facility trips and goes offline in extreme heat events. Multiple breakdowns are noted in January 2018 alone, as many facilities both old and […]
New nuclear power can’t compete with cheap solar power, says IRENA report
The falling cost of renewable energy means nuclear power can’t compete with cheap solar poweri n developed countries. This is revealed in a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which tracked falling renewable costs across the world in 2017. Global renewable energy costs are falling so fast they could be consistently cheaper than fossil […]
Shopping around and installing solar panels – tips to fight rising energy prices in 2018
Rising energy prices are a fact of life, but residents may be able to save more than $300 a quarter on power bills just by shopping around. You can save even more by installing solar panels. Research by the Central Western Daily revealed drastic price variations, with one electricity retailer offering both lowest and highest […]