The Story Behind The Batteries That Powered Solar Impulse 2
Solar Impulse 2’s recently completed flight around the world may not have occurred without a very special set of batteries. The energy storage solution used consisted of Kokam Co., Ltd’s Ultra High Energy NMC batteries; based on lithium nickel manganese cobalt chemistry. Solar Impulse featured four 38.5 kilowatt hour (kWh) of these battery packs that […]
ARENA Funding Cut “Foolish, Short-sighted”
Reports the Turnbull Government intends to proceed in ripping $1 billion from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) have again been met with strong opposition. It appears the Government will take action soon after Parliament returns on Monday. The plan was originally hatched in March, with the announcement of a “new” $1 billion Clean Energy […]
Western Australia Cutting Solar PPA Red Tape
The Western Australian Government has announced it is making solar power purchase agreements more accessible in the State. Energy Minister Mike Nahan said his government would be making it easier for solar PPA providers to operate in Western Australia by allowing companies to apply directly to the Public Utilities Office (PUO) for exemptions from the […]
Tasmania’s Solar Uptake Attributed To Basslink Outage
Tasmania’s recent energy crisis appears to have triggered increased interest in solar power systems in the Apple Isle. An ABC report indicates uptake of small scale residential and commercial solar power was up by at least 25% during the first five months of this year – and was possibly higher due to lagging in reporting. […]
Another Black Eye For The Big Three Electricity Retailers?
A new report states the “Big Three” electricity retailers in Australia are charging two to three times more to sell electricity in four Australian states than the ACT’s regulated retailer. The Big Three refers to AGL Energy, Energy Australia, and Origin Energy. The report, prepared by CME and commissioned by grass-roots activist group GetUp!, paints […]
Faster Water Disinfection Using A Tiny Solar Powered Device
Researchers at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have unveiled a tiny solar device that can disinfect contaminated water in minutes. The new device offers a fast alternative to common water-cleansing methods used in developing countries such as boiling, or by placing plastic bottles filled with water in the sun […]
Sungrow Scores 150MW Solar Inverter Supply Deal
Sungrow announced today the company has been awarded a contract to supply central inverters for around 150MW of solar projects in India. Sungrow will assist with the design, manufacture and assembly of SG2500 turnkey central inverter solutions destined for Mytrah Energy’s solar projects in the Indian states of Telangana and Punjab. Mr. Girish Gelli, Director […]
Woolly Lawnmowers Cutting Solar Farm’s Maintenance Costs
University of Queensland is saving $50,000 a year in mowing costs at its Gatton campus solar farm by using sheep to keep the vegetation down. In May last year, the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) research facility in the southern hemisphere was switched on at Gatton. Comprising of more than 37,000 solar panels, the facility covers […]
10 US Cities Committed To 100% Renewable Energy
The Sierra Club, America’s largest grassroots environmental lobby group, has released a new report highlighting 10 U.S. cities that have committed to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy. The report is the first update of Sierra’s Ready For 100 campaign, launched this year, which challenged 100 American cities to abandon fossil fuels and transition […]
Dutch Electric Car Charging Network Expands Rapidly
Fastned’s wind and solar powered electric vehicle charging network has already grown to the point EV owners can travel the Netherlands free from range anxiety. We first mentioned Fastned back in 2014. At that point in time only 4 charging stations had been constructed in the country. According to current stats from the company, 51 […]
