Australian Solar Manufacturing Support – Lessons From The USA
Australian policy makers – faced with choices on how to spend billions in carbon tax cash – should perhaps look overseas, where successful renewable energy policies are helping business invigorate stagnant manufacturing industries.
U.S. Coast Guard’s Solar Rooftop Project
Schneider Electric recently announced it had secured a contract with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in Puerto Rico to install 2.89 megawatts of solar panels on renovated Coast Guard rooftops over a 13-month period.
Thar’s Gold In Them Thar Solar Cells
Researchers from the University of California (UCLA) say that by incorporating gold nanoparticles into the structure of organic solar cells they can capture more light from the solar spectrum, maximising power conversion by up to 20 percent.
Watarrka National Park’s Solar Diesel Hybrid Power System
Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife Minister Karl Hampton recently announced the completed installation of a new hybrid solar power system at the Watarrka National Park ranger station.
Solar PV Challenging Solar Thermal
In what is being described by some as a ‘dark day’ for solar thermal power in the USA, Solar Trust Of America has announced it will switch the first 500 megawatts of its construction work at the Blythe facility from Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) to PV technology, conceding that CSP technology is simply not viable in current market conditions.
Sungevity Inks $50 Million Home Solar Power Deal
Solar power investment in America continues to defy stock market trends, with US solar power company Sungevity announcing a funding deal with Citigroup Inc. to provide for $50 million in residential solar leases that will allow the company to expand into new territory on the East Coast.
ASU To Lead New U.S. Solar Power Research Center
Faculty from Arizona State University (ASU) will spearhead a new Engineering Research Center (ERC) aimed at creating high-efficiency solar technologies and manufacturing methods to increase solar energy uptake.
Electric, Solar Powered Flight About To Go Mainstream
Elektra One is a single seat electric aircraft with a fly time of 4 hours and a range of 500 km. Instead of being directly powered by solar energy, it will come complete with a solar panel-studded hangar to recharge the plane for carbon emission free flying.
UPDATE – Australia’s Only Solar Panel Factory NOT Closing
In another blow to New South Wales’ already troubled solar industry, the ABC is reporting Australia’s only solar panel manufacturing facility, operated by Silex Solar, will be closing its doors after less than 2 years in operation.
Energy Matters Video News – Episode 42 – August 17, 2011
In this episode, Virginia covers a call to extend Victoria’s solar feed in tariff, Australia’s solar soldier project, IPART requests public comment on New South Wales’ feed in tariff and a team of students who have invented a solar powered clothes dryer.
