Australia's solar industry is "effectively unregulated" and consumers are falling victim to "predatory" sales tactics which pressure them to buy expensive systems, according to new research. New data released to the ABC's 7.30 reveals concerns about the regulations around Australia's burgeoning solar industry, which advocates say is outpacing laws designed to protect consumers. The report [...]
Construction of a massive solar farm has begun in Queensland's central west. Stage one of Barcaldine's $70 million, 90 hectare solar project is expected to be completed within 12 months. The solar farm will have nearly 80,000 solar panels and will initially generate 25 megawatts of power, with an additional 25 megawatts upon completion of stage [...]
Nepal’s government is preparing to make the installation of solar power systems compulsory on all government and commercial buildings in Kathmandu. The Himalayan Times reports a source at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development said building permits and design approvals for government, commercial and corporate buildings will only be given the nod if the applicant [...]
A cotton farm in NSW will use an off-grid, hybrid solar plant to power the irrigation of its crops, after it switched on the new system on Tuesday. The cotton farm in Moree – which is also the host to one of Australia’s biggest solar projects, the under-construction 56MW Moree Solar Farm – has added a [...]
A 30kw Grid Connect System with Generation Management was commissioned in Menzies in November 2015 for power producer SOLARZONE (WA) within 7 days by Global Protection Systems (GPS) providing approximately 125units of energy per day - a total annual carbon reduction of 41 tonnes. GPS provided a turn key solution which included a Battery Control [...]
The Moree Solar Farm is entering the final stages of construction," Technical manager Tom Best said. "We've finalised the installation of the PV modules and the tracking system and we're currently undertaking commissioning of the PV plant with a view to start generating energy by the end of the year." The project has been funded with [...]
In general building permit is required before any building work can commence. The defination of work in section 3 of the Act includes: a. the construction, erection, assembly or placement of a building or an incidental structure; or b. the renovation, alteration, extension, improvement or repair of a building or an incidental structure. ‘Incidental structure’ is [...]
A million dollar study has been launched, which could see one of the Hunter's newest townships become Australia's first to go completely 'off the grid'. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) has provided almost $500,000 towards the $1.1 million study into getting the new Huntlee development powered by renewable energy. Construction has already started on the [...]
The District Council of Karoonda-East Murray says it will look into the possibility of a floating solar power plant at Karoonda in South Australia's Murray-Mallee region. Council CEO Peter Smithson said the floating solar plant would provide power for the waste management pump station next to the stormwater dam. A similar plant is already operating at [...]
The Banana Shire Council has given approval to the solar energy company FRV to develop a solar farm near Baralaba in central Queensland. Banana Shire Mayor Ron Carige said the project could create up to 200 jobs during the construction phase. "It's a great opportunity for not only for the shire but for the community [...]