Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Cranking Renewables
It’s the little utility that could – Hawaii’s Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative (KUIC) has reported that on 4 days during January, renewables made up 90 percent of the island’s electricity. Kaua’i Island has an area of 1,430 km² and a population of around 66,000. KIUC is a non-profit, member owned electricity company that services nearly […]
Solar Assisted Vultures Tackling Trash In Peru
In Peru’s capital city, Lima, vultures and solar power have been enlisted to help deal with illegal rubbish dumping. Often reviled due to their looks and nature, vultures play an important part in ecosystems. Exclusively scavengers, they feed primarily on the carcasses of dead animals. Acids and gut flora in a vulture’s stomach are so […]
Petition Calls For Solar On All New Australian Homes
A petition calling on the Australian Federal Government and all state premiers to make solar panels mandatory on new houses is gaining quite a bit of attention. “It’s not rocket science. More solar panels sitting on houses means less reliance on fossil-fuels in Australia. Are we committed to lowering carbon emissions or not?,” says David […]
US Solar Installation Boom Set To Continue
IHS Inc. predicts solar PV installations in the USA will jump 67 percent year-over-year in 2016, with a record 15 gigawatts installed during the period. The strong growth will be thanks to the extension of the investment tax credit (ITC); which was previously due to expire in its current form by the end of this […]
Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park Progress
An application to South Australia’s Development Assessment Committee for Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park has now entered the public consultation phase. The DP Energy project seeks to construct up to 59 wind turbines and up to 400 acres of solar panel arrays at a site approximately 8 kilometres from Port Augusta; which is around 300 […]
Green Light For Canberra’s Williamsdale Solar Farm
The ACT’s Minister for Planning and Land Management has approved a development proposal for a 11.18MW solar farm to be constructed south of Canberra, near Williamsdale. The proposal was “called in”, meaning the Minister assumed the role of assessment manager for the development application. The Minister is able to call in a project if a […]
Solar Power Grants For Victorian Lifesaving Clubs
Lifesaving clubs in Victoria can now benefit from a new program to support the installation of solar power systems – the Community Renewables Solar Grants Initiative. The $500,000 program was announced by Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio on the weekend. “This is about helping Victorian lifesaving clubs save money on their energy bills […]
ThermalTech’s ‘Solar Powered’ Smart Jacket
ThermalTech’s solar powered smart fabric is made from stainless steel yarn – but we’re assured it’s not like wearing a pot scourer or chain mail. We’ve mentioned a few solar powered clothing items in the past that were quite ..umm ..unique; including the utilitarian SolarVest and the “urban chic” (and very expensive) GO Collection. Much […]
8 Megawatt-Hour Vanadium Flow Battery Commissioned
Testing of the Zhangbei National Wind and Solar Energy Storage and Transmission Demonstration Project’s 8 megawatt-hour vanadium flow battery system was successfully completed last weekend. According to Sparton Resources Inc., the battery was continuously operated at full design capacity for ten days and exceeded specifications by 10%. Smoothing tests using State Grid North China Company […]
Solar Citizens 2016 Supporter Survey
Solar power system owners and supporters across Australia have been encouraged to participate in Solar Citizens’ latest survey. The 2016 survey will compile a snapshot of solar support and ownership in Australia, with the results to be sent to politicians and decision makers across the country. After a very successful 2015, the group also wants […]
