News that our neighbour across the ditch is switching off fossil fuels in favour of renewables will have sent a shudder through the corridors of power this week. For New Zealand has announced that it will close its last two coal mines by 2018 and aim towards a 90 percent renewable energy target by 2025. […]
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If you want a 5kW solar system in QLD – consider getting it before Sept 30 2015!
The Queensland electricity networks (hello Ergon and Energex!) are a fussy bunch. At the time of writing (August 2015) if you want to install a standard grid connect solar system bigger than 5kW, you need to jump through all sorts of technical hoops. And then the networks may also insist that you install a box of […]
[Continue reading…]Facebook, solar energy and drones join to connect billions to the Internet
What do Facebook, solar energy and drones have in common? Not a great deal you may think; after all drones have a sinister reputation in our day and age. For they are usually thought of as accessories to destroy, maim or kill, the latest in warrior technology designed to conquer and “take out” perceived or […]
[Continue reading…]China puts faith in large-scale concentrating solar power as world watches
China was in the renewable energy news again this week though this time it wasn’t about the latest in solar panel technology or trade disputes. For the big (read huge) story was Chinese regional media reporting the start of construction of the country’s first large-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. To be carved out of 2550 […]
[Continue reading…]Does your hybrid solar system really need backup?
Did you know that adding batteries to your solar does not automatically mean it is blackout proof? The holy grail of affordable on-grid energy storage has finally arrived! Well, it’s almost arrived. Actually, it might be a couple of years before it really arrives and most Australians can get their hands on low cost energy […]
[Continue reading…]How much will eliminating silver in solar cells drive costs down?
Ever considered how much the amount of silver in solar cells adds to their cost? What if silver were eliminated completely from the production of solar panels? The price of solar cells has already reduced considerably in recent years due to improved production efficiencies, making solar cells affordable for many. However the elimination of the […]
[Continue reading…]WA government gives ground on solar energy purchase agreements
It’s not often that the Clean Energy Council and a conservative government agree on funding for solar energy purchase agreements but this week appears to have achieved that very scenario. For the West Australian government — that bastion of conservatism west of Adelaide — has introduced a scheme which will make it easier for customers […]
[Continue reading…]Interview: Finn Peacock talks solar battery storage in Australia (and more)
It’s been a big year for news on solar battery storage in Australia. With the imminent release of Tesla’s Powerwall onto the market and influential reports predicting a new way of accessing energy, the trend has not been “if” but “when” renewables will end up dominating new energy takeup in the country. But how much […]
[Continue reading…]NEO report: Solar to lead $3.7 trillion charge as renewables outstrip fossil fuels
The way humans go about getting their electricity is set to change forever, according to an influential report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The New Energy Outlook 2015 (NEO) study, which was handed down last week, also found that solar energy would be at the vanguard of the change towards a more renewable future.
[Continue reading…]Microinverters Vs. Dc Optimisers: Which option is best?
Good grief this article is going to get me into trouble with some solar installers. Why? Because by the end of it I will give my humble opinion on whether microinverters (e.g. Enphase) are better than DC optimisers (e.g. SolarEdge or Tigo).
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