Community groups invited to apply for solar funding
Solar funding is now available for community organisations in regional Australia to install solar panel and battery systems. Round 2 of the Solar Communities Program is releasing $2.2 million in federal grants for eligible community groups to install small-scale solar power. Grants between $2,500 and $12,500 are available for community groups in eligible regions that […]
Householders opt for larger, more efficient rooftop solar energy systems
Australian householders are choosing to “max out” their rooftop solar energy systems with as many solar panels as they can fit, a new report claims. According to Green Energy Markets (GEM), this has subsequently caused a classification shift. Systems of 10-15 kW are now classed as residential systems rather than commercial. This is because the […]
Community solar power bank in Western Australia breaks new ground
An innovative trial in Mandurah, WA, will see a new community power bank offering households new energy storage options. The 12-month trial will subsequently allow local customers with solar power panels the opportunity to ‘bank’ the excess power they create to use later. Mandurah City Council unanimously voted to set up Meadow Springs Community Power […]
Could the solar power boom mean the end of feed-in tariffs?
The solar power boom may be leading to government subsidies such as feed-in-tariffs becoming less viable, according to an ABC News report. This is due to the possibility of an energy oversupply. Basic economics says that once you have an excess of a thing, it loses some of its value. This could mean that if […]
Parkes Shire Council wants to build its own virtual solar network
Parkes Shire Council in NSW wants to build on its existing solar assets and develop the shire’s own virtual solar network. This would allow the council to sell solar power generated at one site to other council-owned buildings which lack a renewable power source. This would then create the council’s own electricity grid within the existing […]
Major Stockland investment helps business close gap on commercial solar energy
One of Australia’s largest developers has thrown its hat in the solar ring with a $23.5 million investment in commercial solar energy for its chain of shopping centres. Around 39,000 photovoltaic solar panels will be installed across 10 Stockland retail centres, adding a total capacity of 12.3 MW. This huge investment by one of Australlia’s […]
Drop in clean energy prices due to Renewable Energy Target: CEC
Clean energy prices are down and still falling due to the federal Renewable Energy Target (RET), according to a leading industry body. The RET will reduce the national power bill by hundreds of dollars a year over the next decade, the Clean Energy Council (CEC) claims. However, the RET is due to end in 2020. […]
Queensland rooftop solar to the rescue in record-breaking heatwave
Australia’s Energy Market Operator (AEMO) says Queensland rooftop solar relieved stress on the electricity grid during the state’s record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures soared to nine degrees above average across the state early last month. In fact, meteorologists had to go back to 1935 to find a day when the state average was above 40 degrees. However, from […]
Hobart renewable electricity use makes list of 100 cities that source 70% or more
A report into the world’s cities found 100 of them get 70% of their electricity from renewable sources. Hobart renewable electricity use meant that it made that list. The report by CDP collated data from 570 cities on their use of hydro, geothermal, wind and solar power. According to the World Economic Forum, unsubsidised renewables […]
8 electricity generators make Top 10 list of CO2 emitters
Eight businesses in the Top 10 CO2 emitters list for 2016-17 are electricity generators. The top CO2 emitters are according to a report from the Clean Energy Regulator released yesterday. The ‘2016–17 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting’ data also showed a slow-down of 0.5 per cent of emissions. Although Australia’s electricity generators have reduced their […]