The 2019 All-Energy Conference In Melbourne — A Quick Overview

2019 All Energy Conference

Ronald went to the All-Energy Exhibition & Conference in Melbourne. Here’s what he stumbled across.

I just got back from the 2019 All Energy Conference and Exhibition in Melbourne.1  While there I also snuck across to the the Energy Efficiency Expo next door.  Over the next couple of weeks I’ll write a few articles on what I learned, but for now I’ll just go over some highlights and show some pictures… [Read more…]

Dynamic Solar Export Limits: SA’s Smart Way To Integrate More Solar

dynamic solar energy export limits

SA Power Networks plan to use dynamic export limits to allow more people to get rooftop solar power – whilst maximising allowable solar energy exports. Brilliant.

When the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) released its Economic Regulatory Framework Review, “Integrating Distributed Energy Resources For The Grid Of The Future” (PDF here) last week, media reactions had a pessimistic, almost apocalyptic slant. [Read more…]

DIY Solutions For Solar Power Diversion Through Home Automation

Smart House - Home Automation and Solar Power

A couple of weeks ago, I took a look at a customer’s need to integrate his solar PV controller with his smart home system, and concluded that this industry needs to settle on standard protocols so systems can get smarter. [Read more…]

What Is A Cast Monosilicon Solar Panel?

what is a cast mono solar panel?

You’ve probably heard of mono and poly panels. Now there’s a third type: ‘cast-mono’. But what the hell is it?

Silicon is the Queen of solar power.  Some people say Coal is King, but I say our Queen can kick your King’s arse. [Read more…]

Off-Site Solar Scheme: Don’t Buy AGL’s Golden Handcuffs

AGL Offsite Solar - Solar Power For Renters

Tenants who ‘invest’ in AGL’s Offsite Solar are emotionally handcuffed to their tariffs for 7 years

If you are lucky enough to own an unshaded roof over your head, solar power is a no brainer.

Millions of homeowners have realised this and, for those who have done it right, they are living a life free of energy bill worries for the foreseeable future.

But what about the 30% of Australians who rent? They are seemingly stuck having to pay electricity retailers for overpriced, dirty grid electricity. [Read more…]

Enphase & Solar Analytics Mind-Meld: The Future Of Smart Solar Monitoring?

solar analytics and enphase energy

Solar Analytics & Enphase have had a meeting of the minds which could lead to cheaper and better monitoring for everyone.

Solar monitoring firm Solar Analytics and microinverter manufacturer Enphase sent out a joint press release yesterday.  It is unlikely to get much attention as it is very geeky: they are trialing making Solar Analytics monitoring software compatible with Enphase monitoring hardware. You won’t be reading about it on the front page of the Australian any time soon. But here’s why it’s a big deal (in my little world at least). [Read more…]

The Gigawatt Project Reviewed: Solar For Rented Roofs

gigawatt project review - solar power for renters

Another company who can help get solar on tenant’s roofs is the Gigawatt Project. Ronald looks over the details…

The Gigawatt Project is a Queensland company that helps put solar panels on the roofs of rental properties.  They give tenants some of the savings from rooftop solar power while giving landlords a good enough return to make installing it worthwhile.  In Queensland the Gigawatt Project can:

  • Install a solar power system.
  • Monitor tenant electricity use.
  • Bill tenants for solar electricity they use at a rate less than the cost of grid electricity.  The bill is paid to the landlord.

[Read more…]

Does Virtual Powerline Technology Make SA-NSW Inconnector Obsolete Before It’s Built?

bitchain tech is bitchin dude

Virtual Powerline technology is due to disrupt the poles and wires business. Image Credit: BiTchain

The cornerstone of the new South Australian Liberal government’s energy policy, a new $740 million electricity interconnector with NSW, may be rendered obsolete before construction has even begun thanks to a new blockchain based ‘virtual powerline’ being built between the two states.  The technology was developed by the US company BiTchain and has already avoided the building of billions of dollars worth of transmission capacity between the United States and Canada. [Read more…]

Double Glass, Glass On Glass, and Bifacial Panels — What The Hell Are They?

bifacial panel installer

Glass is a vital part of almost every solar panel installed on Australian roofs.  The sheets of glass used to protect solar cells are long lasting, non-reactive, very tough, and — above all else — it’s transparent.  As a result glass functions far better than wood, cheese, iron, or mucus.  [Read more…]

Elon Musk Says Tesla’s Electric Truck Will Beat Diesels On Total Cost – He May Be Telling The Truth

Elon Musk presentation

Elon Musk with a semi.

Elon Musk’s Latest Announcement Is A Big Trucking Deal [Read more…]

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