News
‘Balcony solar’ and plug‑in systems could help cut your energy costs. But only if rules change
1+ hour, 46+ min ago (698+ words) New technologies could make the switch to solar more affordable for renters and apartment dwellers. Australia is a world leader when it comes to adopting rooftop solar systems. But our solar transition is leaving renters and apartment dwellers behind. According…...
Father of modern solar approaches the next frontier
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (1236+ words) After helping solar power evolve from a niche technology into one of the world’s cheapest sources of electricity, UNSW’s Professor Martin Green is preparing for the next era as silicon cells near their limits. On a patch of land near…...
Like solar, most of the first home battery subsidies went to the wealthy. We need a fairer approach
2+ mon, 4+ day ago (835+ words) Like solar, the first households to embrace home batteries have been wealthy. We need to move away from first-come, first-secured schemes. Australia is in the grip of a record-breaking battery rush. Last week Energy Minister Chris Bowen announced that more…...
Australian-first research hub dedicated to solar panel recycling opens at UNSW Sydney
2+ mon, 3+ week ago (446+ words) UNSW leads the national research initiative addressing the urgent challenge of managing end-of-life solar panels. UNSW Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Enterprise, Professor Bronwyn Fox, said the new Hub reflected the University’s commitment to tackling the most pressing challenges of our…...
Growing EV popularity is leading to queues at fast chargers. Could a kerbside charger network help?
3+ mon, 1+ week ago (1025+ words) For millions of Australians without off-street parking, charging is a obstacle to shifting to an electric vehicle. Kerbside chargers could help. The war on Iran has made crystal clear how shaky our reliance on fossil fuels is. It’s no surprise…...
New method helps explain how solar cells can repair themselves… using sunlight
5+ mon, 2+ week ago (876+ words) Image from Anastasiia, Adobe Stock UNSW researchers have devised a process that identifies exactly how solar cells are damaged by ultraviolet radiation – and what happens when they naturally recover thanks to the sun. Engineers at UNSW Sydney have developed a…...
Cracking the ‘long tail’ problem: new research targets hidden solar panel issue
6+ mon, 1+ week ago (1008+ words) New research shows a significant number of solar panels degrade or fail much sooner than expected. Around a fifth of solar panels examined in a new study fail much faster than expected and some may last for only half their…...