Aussies Bringing Solar Light To India’s Slums
An Australian social enterprise distributing solar lights to impoverished communities in India is a finalist in The Venture, a competition for innovative businesses that are creating positive change in the world. We first wrote about Pollinate Energy back in 2014. The enterprise trains local entrepreneurs in India (known as ‘Pollinators’) to developed micro-businesses engaged in […]
Energy Matters Tesla Powerwall Competition Winner
The lucky winner of Energy Matters’ Tesla Powerwall home battery system competition has been announced. The Powerwall competition was part of Energy Matters’ birthday celebrations; marking a decade of supplying and installing quality solar and related technologies across Australia. The winner of the Tesla Powerwall system, chosen via a random draw, is Mr. A Wong, […]
Community Solar Funding Commitment From The Greens
As part of their election commitments, the Greens have pledged to kick off programs to support community-based renewables. The party has announced a $265.2m initiative to support community-owned renewable energy projects across Australia. The initiative comprises three elements; a $150 million Community Energy Powerhouses Start-Up fund, a $102.9 Solar Communities fund, and a further $2 […]
Australia A Top Ten Installer Of Solar Panels In 2015
The REN21 Renewables 2016 Global Status Report shows 2015 was a record year – and Australia was among the standout performers in solar PV. Renewable energy based generating capacity saw its largest increase globally last year, with an estimated 147 gigawatts added according to the report. As of early this year, 173 countries had renewable […]
A Big Boost For Queensland Large Scale Solar
Queensland’s Government has announced it will provide long-term financial support for up to 120 megawatts of installed large-scale solar generation. In August last year, the Palaszczuk Government upped its election commitment from 40MW to 60MW and yesterday it announced it would double that. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement while visiting the National Renewable Energy […]
Labor To Pledge Funds For Community Renewables
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten will today announce a $100 million program to fund community renewable energy projects across Australia. SBS reports Labor will commit to establishing 10 community power hubs; with a focus on rental properties, public housing, aged care facilities and apartment blocks. “Every Australian deserves the chance to benefit from the rise of […]
Vote 1 – Solar And Storage
A new poll indicates 71% of Australian voters would consider voting for a party that supported distributed small-scale solar and storage. The Australia Institute’s report into battery storage also states 1 in 4 Australians want to generate their own power and store it with view to disconnecting from the mains grid altogether. “1.5 million Australian […]
Coober Pedy To Be Powered By Wind And Sun
Iconic opal mining town Coober Pedy will become the nation’s latest renewable energy township after a deal was struck between Hydro Tasmania and Energy Developments Limited (EDL) to build a multi-megawatt solar and wind project to augment the desert community’s ailing diesel generation system. The new hybrid plant will supply roughly 70 percent of isolated […]
Energy Matters Announces Enphase AC Battery Pre-Ordering
It won’t be long before the much-anticipated Enphase AC Battery arrives in Australia – and demand for the modular energy storage solution is already very strong. Now available on pre-order as a retrofit or part as a full solar + storage solution from Energy Matters, the Enphase AC Battery offers 1.2kWh storage capacity (95% usable) […]
Wind And Solar Power Helping Preserve Galapagos Islands
A report on the Galapagos San Cristóbal Island Wind Project states the initiative has been a success, paving the way to further increasing renewable energy capacity in the region. The Galapagos San Cristóbal Island Wind Project was inspired by an oil tanker incident in 2001 that saw approximately 150,000 gallons of fuel oil and diesel […]