NZ Electricity Authority Feels The Power Of 45,000 Suns
Kiwis protesting a “sun tax” on some of the nation’s solar households have made their feelings known in an action by Greenpeace New Zealand. In July this year, New Zealand’s Electricity Authority was accused of attempting “kill the uptake of solar power” after it ruled a local electricity distributor charging solar households an extra fee […]
Queensland’s Ambitious Renewable Energy Target Achievable
Queensland’s target of 50% renewable energy by 2030 is not only achievable, but could be cost-neutral to electricity customers too. Just prior to last Friday’s emergency COAG Energy Council meeting*, Federal Minister for the Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg said the “states need to put the brakes on their unrealistically high state-based renewable energy targets.” […]
Poland’s Glow In The Dark, Solar Powered Bike Path
A bike path that glows in the dark after being “charged” by the sun during the day has been unveiled in Poland. A Strabag project constructed by subsidiary TPA Sp. z o.o, the 100 meter x 2 meter test section of the bike path is in Olsztyn, a city on the Łyna River in northeastern […]
Batteries, Beer Waste And Better Charging
Using beer waste to create lithium battery electrodes and a new technology promising 100 x faster battery charging – just two of the many very recent developments in the energy storage sector. The first story concerns researchers from University of Colorado Boulder who have stumbled upon (not through drunkenness) a way to use brewery wastewater […]
Commercial Solar Costs Slashed In Western Australia
Companies considering installing commercial-scale solar power systems in Western Australia could potentially save up to tens of thousands of dollars per system after the removal of unnecessary regulatory red tape. Under the Western Australian government’s red tape repeal initiative, operators of commercial solar power stations are no longer required to be licensed by the Economic […]
Pumping Water From Borefield To Broome With Solar Power
The Western Australian government has commenced a trial involving hybrid solar-diesel and battery power to transport drinking water from a borefield to Broome. A first for the state, Water Minister Mia Davies said the trial will make use of the plentiful solar resources in the region. Broome receives very impressive solar irradiation levels of around […]
Australian Retirees To Cash In On Solar Power
A group of retirees in Western Australia will soon be reaping in more than double the current standard feed-in tariff payment for their surplus rooftop-generated solar electricity. The ABC reports a trial about to get under way at a National Lifestyle Villages complex in Busselton will enable the group to sell surplus energy from their […]
Emergency COAG Energy Council Meeting Today
Sparks could fly between state ministers and the Australian federal government over renewable energy at an emergency meeting of the COAG Energy Council today. South Australians could be forgiven for thinking everyone is talking about them of late – because they are. It’s probably been quite some time since the state has had this much […]
Americans Strongly Favour Expansion Of Solar Power
A new report from Pew Research Center indicates a vast majority of Americans support the construction of more solar farms, but when it comes to coal mining it’s a completely different story. The comprehensive “The Politics Of Climate” report from the non-partisan think-tank states 89% of U.S. adults surveyed favor expanding use of solar farms, […]
Enphase Energy Storage Going Gangbusters In Australia
Australian installers have wasted no time in setting up Enphase AC Battery systems in homes across the country. It seems Enphase Energy’s booth was also a popular destination at this year’s All Energy Australia event; the major drawcard being the company’s new- generation energy storage system. Centerpiece of the Enphase Storage System is AC Battery; […]