Welcome back from the Easter Break. We trust that you had a restful long weekend – the solar industry has. Those who signed up for the 44c feed-in tariff have started to run in before the deadline on June 30 so many solar companies are busy and install dates prior to the cut off are filling up fast. In the news, the Byron Bay Bluesfest has powered a whole stage with a solar system, solar panels are now producing more than it takes to manufacture them while the world has started to realise the potential of wind power.

The Byron Bay Bluesfest that took place over the long weekend has become an Aussie first with one stage being powered completely by solar power. The Lotus Palace Sound System was powered by a 1.2kW solar power system in the shape of a flower petal. The system can be tilted or rotated in order to capture maximum sunlight. Their short term goal is to have a whole tent accommodating 3000 people to be run completely on clean energy. Click here read the full article. 

Many solar sceptics have said for years that solar panels use more electricity (usually fossil fuelled electricity) in their manufacturing process than they actually save once installed. A new study by Standford Researchers has proven that with increased efficiency in the manufacturing process together with falling solar panel prices, solar panels now have a positive net production. Click here to read the full article. 

After record high installations of wind power in 2012, the world’s global wind capacity is now over 280 000 megawatts and set to cruise passed 300 000 this year alone. Already this is enough to power 450 million homes. The Earth Policy Institute forecasts that by 2015, wind power could generate enough electricity to power the whole of South and Central America. Click here to read the full article. 

It may not be another long weekend this weekend but we hope you enjoy none the less. Don’t forget to check out our new 24kW solar system installed in Mooloolaba!