Solar Australia

August 2012

Re-energised Solar Flagships funding heads to New South Wales

AGL Energy and First Solar Australia will deliver two large-scale photovoltaic power projects in New South Wales, after being selected as the successful proponents in the photovoltaic category of the Federal Government’s Solar Flagships Program independent reassessment process.

CSIRO researches solar intermittency solutions

In a year-long study funded by the Australian Solar Institute, CSIRO joined with the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Energy Networks Association to generate a report looking into one of the biggest concerns around solar energy; solar intermittency.

The inevitability of solar PV

by Nigel Morris,Director of SolarBusinessServices

Is 40 gigawatts by 2030 conceivable? Nigel Morris argues for the inevitable surprise solar photovoltaic has in store for us.

Job Profile: Paul Scerri

Sales and Marketing Manager, Oceania, Retail, Bosch Solar Energy

Heating and cooling is a breeze with solar

The Smartbreeze system – developed by Smart Roof Australia – uses the existing roof as one large solar collector. Optimal heat and cool temperatures can be set and the Smartbreeze system then works day and night to meet them.

Hyundai Heavy Industries achieves 19.7 per cent cell efficiency

Hyundai Heavy Industries has announced that it has achieved a 19.7 per cent conversion efficiency rate in its copper-contact solar cells.

Schletter mounts solar on Australian shores

Last year, German solar photovoltaic mounting equipment company Schletter, opened a branch in Sydney. In the coming months, Schletter Australia will be releasing its first product designed specifically for the Australian market.

100 per cent Australian-made solar mounting systems

Collridge Pty Ltd, based in Brisbane, Queensland, designs and manufactures universal solar racking systems. The company has been operating since 2009, and utilises input from design installers and tradespeople to improve its 100 per cent Australian-owned systems.

Great Southern Press appoints new CEO

Great Southern Press, publisher of Solar Australia and EcoGeneration magazines, is delighted to announce Zelda Tupicoff as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Shifting sands: lessons from the solar leaders

by Warwick Johnson, Managing Director, SunWiz

Many solar businesses have fallen by the wayside in the past few years, even as Australia’s solar industry expanded explosively. So, what can solar businesses learn from the successes and failures of others, in order to remain prosperous in the years to come?

APVA Annual report: PV powers on in Australia

The recently-completed 2011 edition of the Australian Photovoltaic Association’s annual PV in Australia report shows that the installation of photovoltaic solar systems remains a growing trend in Australia, regardless of reductions in government incentive programs.

Raising the roof on PV forecasts

The Australian Energy Market Operator has announced that it will publish analysis of existing and forecast levels of rooftop photovoltaic solar in its annual forecasting reports. Melanie Ryan reports on the Operator’s Rooftop PV Information Paper 2012, which lays the foundation for its future predictions.

Pymble Ladies’ College gets some sun

At Pymble Ladies’ College in Sydney’s North Shore, a 60 kilowatt solar photovoltaic installation is helping the school reach its commitment to environmental sustainability.

Solar hot water rebates: what remains?

Following the recent closure of the Federal Government’s Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, installers and consumers of solar hot water systems must look to state government rebate offerings. Solar Australia outlines the rebates currently available to customers from state and territory governments across the country.