NREL Explores America’s Grid Potential For Wind And Solar
The USA’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has used a supercomputer and detailed visualisation software to model how well the eastern United States’ power grid could accommodate a vastly increased amount of wind and solar energy. In its analysis, NREL mapped the entire Eastern Connection, a power system involving over 5,600 electricity generators and more […]
Demand For Enphase AC Batteries Exceeds Expectations
Enphase Energy, Inc. has upped production plans for its AC Battery, based on expected strong demand in Australia and New Zealand. Volume projections provided by distributors put the expected sales tally at 70,000 Enphase batteries in Australia and New Zealand alone over the next year. Some of this demand will be driven by the looming […]
Australian Solar Subsidies In The Crosshairs Again?
It’s not just the future of ARENA hanging in the balance it seems – all subsidy support for solar power in Australia may face a new threat. The Guardian reports chairman of the Coalition’s backbench environment and energy committee, Craig Kelly, wants wind and solar funding to be re-routed to research into ‘technological breakthroughs’. “I’m […]
Australia Faces A Clean Energy “Valley Of Death”
The Clean Energy Council has detailed the massive impact stripping grant funding from ARENA would have across Australia’s clean energy sector in a new report. “While we understand the government is looking for savings, slashing grant funding for renewable energy massively undermines the industry’s efforts to meet our national emissions reduction targets, as well as […]
Solar Citizens’ Save ARENA Campaign
Solar Citizens is urging all solar supporters in Australia to join its campaign to save the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). In March this year, the Federal Government announced its intentions to set up the $1 Billion Clean Energy Innovation Fund (CEIF), money for which would come from ARENA’s coffers. Aside from the funding cut, […]
Life On Mars* In A Solar Powered Dome
6 “lavanauts” have rejoined the community after spending a year participating in Earth’s longest NASA-sponsored simulated Mars mission, living and working in a solar powered habitat. The HI-SEAS IV simulator is located in an abandoned quarry on the northern slope of Mauna Loa, Hawaii at an elevation of just under 2.5 kilometres. Since August 2015, […]
Northern Territory – New Government, New Renewable Energy Focus
The Labor Party has won the Northern Territory election – and this may also mean a big win for renewable energy in the Territory. Labor leader Michael Gunner will benefit from a huge majority in the NT Parliament and the party will now have a solid opportunity to implement its Roadmap To Renewables initiative (PDF); […]
Surf’s Up – With Solar Power
If Australia’s third surf park goes ahead in Perth, part of its electricity supply will be generated by solar panels. Wave Park Group have lodged a formal proposal with the City of Melville to develop URBNSURF Perth at a 4.4ha site located at Tompkins Park, Alfred Cove; just 9km south of Perth’s Central Business District. […]
China Building Solar Powered Rover For Mars Mission
China has announced details of a probe and solar powered rover it intends to send on its way to Mars before the end of this decade. All going according to plan, the rover will be on the surface of the red planet by July or August in 2020. It will be transported to Mars on […]
Solar Energy To Power Up With Better Forecasting
In 2013 we reported on an improved solar forecasting system under development by researchers from the U.S. National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). Three years later, the team have unveiled their cutting-edge Sun4Cast technology; which has the potential to save the US solar industry hundreds of millions of dollars by improving predictions of clouds and […]