LG Electronics USA displayed their new LG X ACe Module monocrystalline AC solar panel series last week at the Solar Power International Expo. LG’s newest solar power products are lighter weight, maximize AC-power output, and allow more flexibility for installation. For a full article on this, read here:: LG’s New AC Solar Module Demonstrated at SPI
Can We Power Up Over 11 Billion People?
Experts have estimated that by 2100, Earth’s population will reach up to 12 billion people. In 2014, we have enough trouble (not to mention wars) finding and extracting energy sources such as oil, coal, etc.
Keep in mind that we’re only at 7 billion people today and nearly 2 billion of them are living without electricity. Oil and coal are finite and with carbon emission policies spreading through most nations (apart from Abbott’s Australia), their use will become as fossilized as the fuel itself.
Renewable energy obviously has a huge part to play in powering the growing population.
But electrification is also key. Using renewable energy (and possibly nuclear fusion), electricity can replace liquid fuels from being used in lights, cooking, and, as the electric car has shown, transportation. It is imperative that we must continue to innovate to support the incoming crowd.
For the full article from the Energy Collective, click here:: How Would We Provide Enough Energy for 11 Billion People?
Could Solar Roadways Provide a Worthwhile Energy Path?
Scott Brusaw and the small American town of Sandpoint, Idaho have come together to form a potentially-revolutionary way to collect solar power. Using Scott’s design and know-how, Sandpoint will be the first town to use its roadways to collect solar power! A 20-year veteran of electrical engineering, Brusaw found that heated glass not only could collect solar energy but could still support even double the weight our roadways are currently designed for.
For a full article on this story, click here: Solar Roadways could produce over three times the electricity we use in the United States
Danny Broad Enters the ARENA
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced that commercial manager, Danny Broad, has been appointed by the Australian government to ARENA’s Board. Broad is expected to help ARENA in its efforts using the 2.4 billion dollar mandate to improve competiveness and use of renewable energy in Australia. For more on this story, read the full article here:: Danny Broad appointed to the board of ARENA
Enphase Micro Inverters Claim Higher Profits, Lower Costs
A recent survey showed of 32 residential solar installers over a two-month period showed that micro inverters were able to reduce soft costs compared to conventional central inverters. In fact, major micro inverter manufacturer, Enphase claim that installation using their TRUEAC modules have can reduce labor costs by up to 48%!
They also claim that installers in the US had to walk away from 1 out of 4 jobs if they weren’t using micro inverters (which are easier to install on difficult roofs). I find this really hard to believe, but if it’s true I can only put it down to the prevalence of online quoting without a site visit over in the USA. You really do need a site visit if you want a high performing solar system properly designed for your roof. You simply can’t do it with Google maps (even with micro inverters)!
Read more about this here.
Why the Mining Industry Is Looking Sunny
As costs continue to reduce, many mining companies are using renewable energy sources such as solar power to extract and process copper, silver, and other raw materials. A group called “THEnergy” has even developed an online database tracking which mining companies are implementing solar power in their business. To read more on this, click here.
Bottom Line: Wind and Solar Are Cheaper
The European Commission has published a thorough study regarding the different types of energy their cost. The result? The cheapest sources of energy come from solar and wind power.
While many argue that coal is cheap and government support for renewable energy is costly, fossil fuels have again been shown to cost more in the long term when taking into account health impacts, climate change, and resource depletion. While many state that those costs shouldn’t count since they are not within the realm of direct cost, it is hardly illogical to include them in the research for the overall cost, unless your vision only extends to the next election!
With that said, there are many variables at play both in the use of energy and variables in energy standards from country to country. For a more in-depth look, click here.
Why Big Utilities Are Scrambling Towards Solar
Now that solar power has become more of a threat, big US utility companies responsible for providing electricity want to buy in. With the cultural push to become more reliant on renewable energy sources and the increase in people wanting to break free from their higher utility bills, many utility companies are opting to become more solar friendly in order to keep their business.
While overall this might be a good thing, the intentions are purely economic. Big utilities in the USA are in the discussions with local governments in order to build or install solar panels into their networks. Some states have been open to this idea but others have resisted since it appears to only kill off the only competition electric companies have.
To learn more about this development, click here.
Panasonic Wants the Sun to Fill Your Car’s Fuel Tank
Powertree Services Inc. is teaming up with Panasonic to build 68 electric-vehicle charging stations that will use solar power to recharge the cars’ batteries. While this venture will be tested at various multi-unit residences in San Francisco, they hope to create more and be ready as the appeal, cost, and availability of electric cars increases. To read more on this story, click here.
Why Labor Need To Hold Firm On The RET
The government’s starting RET offer which reduces the legislated, previously bipartisan, and pre-election commitment of 41,000 gigawatt hours per year of renewable energy down to 27,000 has been turned down by the Labor Party. Why? Not just because of the environment, but because of economics.
By cutting the target almost in half, billions of dollars invested in the creation of solar and wind power generating devices will go to waste, and billions of dollars of investment will not happen. The 100 job losses at a wind turbine component manufacturer in Portland, Vic announced yesterday is just the beginning. Not to mention that power prices would continue to climb due to expensive fossil fuels picking up the slack.
Abbott and his cronies are trying to destroy a policy they promised not to touch. Then when Labor won’t co-operate they blame the opposition for the uncertainty that is destroying businesses. Read more about this story here.
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