New Super Slick Coating For Solar Panels
Two weeks ago it was a new solar thermal device capable of converting more of the sun’s energy into efficient heat, now MIT and Madsar Institute engineers are reporting on another innovation that could significantly boost the power output of solar panels. Self cleaning solar panels have been the holy grail of those in regions […]
Townsville Solar Farm Gets Green Light
Townsville City Council yesterday approved a development application for a $250 million solar farm to be constructed in the Upper Ross district. The facility will be constructed on a disused mango farm and cover an area of 202 hectares. The 450,000 solar panels to be installed for the project will have a collective capacity of […]
“Three Amigos” To Pledge 50% Clean Power Across North America
The leaders of the USA, Canada and Mexico look set to make a commitment to achieve a target of 50% clean power across North America by 2025. At the “Three Amigos Summit” (formally known as the North American Leaders’ Summit), President Barack Obama, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexico’s President Enrique Pena Nieto will settle […]
A Kangaroo Island Powered By 100% Renewable Energy?
A new study will examine whether South Australia’s Kangaroo Island can disconnect from the mainland and switch to 100 percent renewable energy. The University of Sydney’s (UTS) Institute of Sustainable Futures is conducting the study with the assistance of $60,000 funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Kangaroo Island is considered a “fringe of […]
MilkPod – Solar Powered Milk Chilling
A fully solar powered bulk milk chiller is making a positive impact in some farming communities in Kenya. Rural farmers supplying regional dairies need to chill milk to 3.3 degrees Celsius within 4 hours of milking – and that temperature has to be maintained until it can be transported to the dairy. In some developing […]
NT Home Improvement Scheme A Rip-Roaring Success
A Northern Territory government initiative that can knock an additional couple of thousand dollars off the price of a solar power system has been very well received. The scheme, which formally launched just a few weeks ago, has already generated almost $3 million dollars of work for Northern Territory tradespersons and small businesses. “The Home […]
Massive Wind Turbine Blade Unveiled
What’s claimed to be the world’s longest wind turbine blade was unveiled in Denmark last week. Production of the 88.4 metre blade was a joint project of Adwen and LM Wind Power. The blade has been designed for Adwen’s AD 8-180, a wind turbine with 8MW nominal capacity and 180 meter rotor diameter. “When you […]
Solar’s Coming Up Roses
Another application of biomimicry, this time based on rose petal structure, has boosted the conversion efficiency of organic solar cells. Biomimicry searches for answers to various technology challenges through emulating nature’s own solutions. In the field of solar research, biomimicry has been utilised to assist in boosting sunlight conversion efficiencies. Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute […]
Tasmania Electricity Price Rise, But Higher Solar Feed In Tariffs
All businesses and households in Tasmania on standing offers face a power price rise of 3.43% from July 1 – but there’s a bit of good news for solar owners. The Tasmanian Economic Regulator gave its stamp of approval to the electricity price increase on Wednesday. “The price increase is mainly due to increases in […]
Solar PV Could Provide 13% Of Electricity Globally By 2030
The share of electricity generated by solar photovoltaics could be as much as 13 per cent globally in just 14 years says the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). A new report from IRENA, Letting in the Light: How Solar Photovoltaics Will Revolutionize the Electricity System, estimates solar capacity has the potential to reach as high […]