Energy Matters Video News – Episode 58 – February 15, 2012

Virginia reports on one million renewable energy jobs in Europe, Queensland shooting for 9000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy generation, new Australian Government energy efficiency programs launched and NASA awards a solar electric propulsion system contract. 

1 Million Plus Renewable Energy Jobs In Europe

The European renewable energy sector had more than a million people employed by the end of 2010 according to the recently released EurObserv’ER report, ‘The State of Renewable Energies in Europe’.

‘Whispering Galleries’ Reduce Thin Film Solar Cell Cost

A team of engineers from Stanford University have created tiny hollow spheres of photovoltaic nanocrystalline-silicon to channel light; a development that could dramatically reduce thin film solar panel materials usage and processing cost.

£1 Billion Wind Farm Opened

A wind farm with enough capacity to provide for the electricity needs of up to 320,000 households – and reportedly the largest operating facility of its kind in the world to date – has been officially opened.

165 Metre High Solar Tower Completed

The Crescent Dunes solar thermal power plant is one step closer to producing clean energy from the Nevada desert sun, with the company announcing the completion of a 540-foot (165-metre)-high receiver tower at the site.

Solar Energy Rules In A State Of Confusion

A surprising prediction in the latest Queensland Renewable Energy Plan has raised questions about whether the state is about to end its solar feed-in-tariff says RenewEconomy’s Giles Parkinson.