This week has brought new releases from the CEC into commercial solar power systems, as well as an Australian first and a world’s largest! We also took a look into electricity prices and whether we will ever see any reprieves as our new government previously promised.

The Clean Energy Council (CEC) and the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry have joined forces and released a guide to installing a commercial solar power system. With electricity prices continually on the rise, businesses need to look for other ways to increase their bottom line. With commercial solar power expected to increase dramatically in the coming years, the release was made to help businesses understand solar power, give tips and point out pitfalls to watch out for when deciding on a system.  Click here to read the full article. 

The Forbes Shire Council has just approved Australia’s first ever concentrated solar thermal (CST) demonstration site to be built. CST technology enables energy to be stored and converted into usable electricity at a later stage. The project will consist of 3500 small mirrors (or heliostats) with 5 twenty-seven meter high towers and is expected to be completed by March next year. The site will be tested and recorded over two years. Click here to read the full article. 

India is expected to build the world’s largest solar power project with the green light given to the Sambhur Ultra Mega Solar Power Project. Once complete, the project will be 4000MW’s. The first phase of 1000MW’s will already place it as the world’s largest by a long way. With four other Ultra Mega Power Projects built or being built in India this year all using expensive, imported coal – this is a significant installation for one of the world’s largest polluters. Click here to read the full article. 

Now that the Coalition has been elected and is now in power, many are wondering when or if they will follow through on the promise of electricity price reprieves. With the dumping of the carbon tax said to be high on the new PM’s list of things to do, it looks likely that this will only occur in around two years time due to contractual agreements already in place for the next financial year. With the majority of price rises due to network charges, it looks more likely that any future savings due will get eaten up by poles and wiring charges before we even get to see them. Click here to read the full article.

We hope everyone is taking special care in the heat and wind we are currently having! Have a good weekend all!