Point and power

Point and power

Its a well known and obvious fact that when a surface faces the sun it is exposed to more light. Tracking the sun with a solar panel gives you up to 35% or more power over a similar sized fixed installation. But the motors to make this happen impose extra costs. In...
The race to lead

The race to lead

Traditional perspectives about renewable energy are increasingly being challenged. China’s wind and solar growth is one example. Zhang Xiaoqiang, vice-chairman of China’s national development and reform commission, talking to the UK Guardian sees 100GW of...
White is the new green

White is the new green

White roofs and surfaces could be worth a staggering $1,100 billion according to recent research.Nobel prize winner Steven Chu, Obama’s Energy Secretary, is promoting this change. Chu says just changing the colour of roofs and blacktopped freeways and streets is...
Winds of Change

Winds of Change

In just eleven years, since 1997, the proportion of the world’s electricity generated from wind has almost quadrupled. There are some impressive absolute numbers behind this global proportion.In 2008 Australia’s total capacity increasing by over 50%, China...
Big Solar for Oz

Big Solar for Oz

The 2009 Australian budget delivers 1.4 billion dollars – over 6 years – for solar power. So how much solar electricity will Australia get?The government subsidy is for new solar plants that together produce a coal plant’s worth of power – up...