Rise Of The Australian Energy Prosumer
Australian Energy Regulator (AER) CEO Michelle Groves recently discussed how energy users will increasingly flex their collective muscle in electricity markets in the future. In a speech at the 2014 Annual Energy Users Association of Australia Conference in Melbourne, Ms. Groves said the idea of the passive electricity customer is changing. “Users are no longer […]
SunEdison Announces Solar Joint Venture In China
SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE) has announced a joint venture agreement with JIC Capital that will result in the development of up to 1 GW of utility-scale solar PV projects in China over the next 3 years. The joint venture will involve coordinating nonrecourse financing for the solar farms and SunEdison may directly or indirectly purchase […]
Energy Bill Complaints In Victoria Jump
Victoria’s Energy and Water Ombudsman’s 2014 Annual Report shows an increasing number of people having problems with affording electricity, gas and water. During 2013-14, the Ombudsman’s office received a total of 84,758 complaints; well up on the previous year. Cases relating to credit skyrocketed by 107% compared to 2009-10 – a total of 18,065 cases. […]
Patagonia To Help Hawai’i Go Solar
Environmentally conscious retailer Patagonia has announced a USD $13 million tax equity investment in solar energy for Hawai‘i that will see the installation of more than 1,000 rooftop solar power systems. A partnership with solar finance company Kina‘ole Capital Partners, the fund will total $27 million and utilise state and federal tax credits to funnel […]
Li-ion Batteries That Recharge To 70% In 2 Minutes
Scientists at Nanyang Technology University (NTU) have developed batteries they say can be recharged up to 70 per cent in only two minutes and have a lifespan of 20 years. In traditional lithium ion batteries, graphite used for the anode (negative pole). The potential game changer in NTU’s battery is an anode made from titanium […]
SunEdison Announces ‘Zero White Space’ Solar Panels
SunEdison, Inc. (NYSE: SUNE), has provided initial details of its new Zero White Space (ZWS) solar module technology, which the company says can boost solar panel power output by up to 15%. This increase in performance can also effectively reduce total system cost by up to 8% states Dave Ranhoff, president of solar materials at SunEdison. […]
Moreland Solar Bulk Buy Program
Residents of the Moreland City Council area in Victoria have been offered special pricing on good quality, fully installed solar power systems through a special bulk buy program. The Moreland Solar Bulk Buy program is being run by Positive Charge and is part of the Zero Carbon Evolution initiative of Moreland City Council. The heavily […]
City Of Moreland To Divest From Fossil Fuels
The City of Moreland will be the first council in Victoria to rule out direct investments in fossil fuels. Moreland joins dozens of cities and counties around the world that have made similar commitments. “The leadership shown by Moreland will be an example to spread to other local councils in Australia, showing that fossil fuel […]
Yingli Solar Panels First ‘Positive Quality’ Recipient
The Australian Solar Council has announced Yingli Solar is the first solar panel manufacturer to successfully pass its Positive Quality inspection program. To qualify, Yingli Solar’s entire manufacturing process was physically inspected under the program and will continue to be on random dates. “As manufacturers compete on price there is an inevitable pressure to substitute […]
Australians Struggling With Power Bills, Want Solar
A recent Ernst & Young survey has found 1 in 8 Australian households cannot afford to pay their electricity bills and 9 in 10 have or would like to go solar. The Ernst & Young survey of more than 649 households in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland states 10% of households reported electricity bills […]
