Community virtual solar battery saves $$ for hundreds of Canberra residents
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
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
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 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 […]
Energy trends of 2017: Artificial Intelligence, smart homes technology and solar innovation
Innovation and Artificial Intelligence are at the forefront of an energy revolution in the US. A thought leader in the US energy market has identified Artificial Intelligence, smart homes technology and solar tech innovation as key energy trends of 2017. Vikas Desai is Senior Vice President and Global GM of Flex Living at Flextronics International. […]
Christmas lights and energy bills illuminate high cost of electricity
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
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. […]
Solar batteries cost keeps on getting lower: wait or buy now?
Solar batteries cost is getting lower. Prices have steadily come down over the past 20 years. This is particularly true for the latest lithium-ion batteries – a real revolution in storage technology. However, it’s not necessarily a benefit to hold off to see if prices come down further. Now is a great time to buy sonnen […]
National Electricity Market ‘not in the best of health’: Energy Security Board
Australia’s runaway energy market prices are not sustainable and customers are looking to solar PV and battery storage to cut power bills. That’s according to the inaugural annual report from the newly-appointed Energy Security Board (ESB). The Board calls on federal, state and territory governments to push through the National Energy Guarantee to fix the […]
Victorian feed-in tariff may skyrocket to 29c from July 1 2018 if new draft rules adopted
The Essential Services Commission has made a draft decision to alter the minimum Victorian feed-in tariff (FiT) rates from July 1, 2018. Solar customers could get as much as 29 c/kWh at peak times of the week if the new rates are applied. Two FiTs will be set: time-varying and single rates. Under the new […]