Townsville, Gladstone, Brisbane, Mackay, Cairns and Rockhampton, in that order, are the best performers, based on cost of electricity, sunlight availability, government subsidy and solar system cost, according to research by Energy Matters. Co-founder Nick Brass said a conservative rate of return in those cities was more than 20 per cent a year, well above […]
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STEVEN Willemse has invested more than $100,000 in a solar system to power his family’s SJW Mushrooms farm at Chevallum. The 60kW solar hybrid system is believed to be the biggest of its kind on the Sunshine Coast. Mr Willemse said he decided to avoid rising electricity costs and protect his farm from costly power […]
The Federal Court has ordered by consent that Euro Solar and Worldwide Energy and Manufacturing (WEMA, formerly trading as Australian Solar Panel) pay combined penalties of $125,000, for publishing fake testimonials and making false or misleading representations about the country of origin of the solar panels they supply. This followed action by the Australian Competition […]
Brisbane Materials, a specialty materials company, has won a $1.3M grant from the ASI for the construction of a pilot scale plant for the production of solar anti-reflection (AR) coatings. This project will capitalise on Australian IP by providing industry-leading AR coatings, with clear potential to reduce solar energy system costs at all scales. via […]
A BORDER nursing home is harnessing the power of the sun as part of a 10-year plan to slash its electricity costs by up to 40 per cent. Dubbed “the energy efficiency program”, residents at the Murray Vale Shalem Hostel in Lavington can now enjoy up to 200 kilowatts of renewable energy from the sun each […]
Queensland electricity prices will increase by 13.6 per cent from July, increasing the average household bill by $192 a year. The Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) has released its draft decision for 2014 in Brisbane. Qld power prices set for hike – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation).
WHEN people talk about “going solar”, we usually think of solar hot water and solar (PV) electricity systems. Solar cooking involves concentrating sunlight to create heat and essentially comprises two main methods: using parabolic solar cookers, where a dish with a reflective surface focuses the sun’s heat to a central point (making them well-suited for […]
A WORLD POWERED BY solar energy is inevitable according to two distinguished scientists being honoured this Australia Day. Dr Graham Morrison, Emeritus Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of New South Wales and Dr David Mills, formerly a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Sydney, have been awarded Member of the Order of […]
Victoria and South Australia have just gone through a week of very high temperatures and very high maximum electricity demand. There has been some debate as to what contribution, if any, solar PV has made. Our analysis shows that solar PV has made a significant contribution, being responsible for reducing peak demand by 4.6 per […]
Six Queensland cities rank highest in Australia for investment return on solar panels | The Australian. FOR many Queenslanders, the best investment opportunity they have may be the roof over their heads. Research by a major solar installer shows six of Queensland’s cities rank the highest in Australia for their rate of investment return from […]
