When Nature Strikes: An Emergency Response Guide for Solar Owners

Solar emergency response guide

Our hearts go out to those Australians facing the current onslaught of floods nationwide. Times like these underscore the importance of knowing what to do in an emergency without the added stress of figuring it out on the spot. [Read more…]

Recent Study: Are Solar Homes Truly Green Or Just Energy Hungry?

2 australian homes with large solar systems

Happy New Year from my straw-bale home in Adelaide. Now, don’t let the eco-friendly construction fool you – my place is an energy-hungry beast, and I’m the guy feeding it! With thermal mass and careful orientation, the house is a champion of efficiency, but my family’s lifestyle… well, that’s another story. [Read more…]

Good News! 2022 Was The Worst Year Ever For Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Carbon emissions and coal power

2022 is on its final legs and soon to expire.  Even though it’s disrespectful to speak ill of the soon-to-be departed, I’m going to come straight out and say — when it came to greenhouse gas emissions — 2022 was the absolute worst. [Read more…]

I’ve Calculated CO2 Emissions From Solar Farm Land Clearing: It’s Bugger All.

Australian solar farms and land clearing

The best place for solar panels is on your roof. Despite this, over one-third of our solar electricity comes from large-scale solar farms. Their construction can involve land clearing that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.  

These emissions aren’t good, but they are trivial next to those from fossil fuel generation. [Read more…]

Another Solar Myth Busted: No, Solar Panels Do Not Warm The Planet

Myth busted: Solar panels heat the planet

Recently, I’ve noticed a number of solar myths coming back to haunt the comments section of this blog. Here’s the latest one:

“Those black solar panels actually heat the planet by increasing the amount of energy the earth absorbs from the sun?  Ha! You never thought of that did you!”

[Read more…]

Fronius Study: Energy Payback Of Solar Is Under 1 Year In Australia

Fronius study - solar energy and emissions payback

Image Credit: Finn Peacock + AI

Fronius says Australian rooftop solar + inverter has CO2 & energy payback under one year.

Last month, a huge, hulking Austrian handed me a physical report called: [Read more…]

Good News! Rare Earth Elements Are Not Rare

Rare earth elements (REE), renewables and electric vehicles

Powerful permanent magnets made from Rare Earth Elements (REEs) give us cheaper, lighter and more efficient generators and motors for wind turbines and electric cars. [Read more…]

Reduce Gas Use For Ukraine!

Help Ukraine by reducing gas use

Do you want to weaken Putin’s hand while making European nations more willing and able to cope with disruptions in their energy supply? 

Of course you do! One simple way to help Ukraine is to stop using gas.  

You can start immediately. [Read more…]

Do We Have Enough Critical Minerals For A Solar & Battery Powered Future?

Critical minerals for solar panel and battery production

Last year the International Energy Agency (IAE) published a report titled…

The Role of Critical Minerals In Clean Energy Transitions

I recently dived deep into its 260 pages to see if a shortage of critical minerals threatens the world’s transition to a renewable future. [Read more…]

Tonga Eruption Won’t Cool Planet Or Reduce Solar Output

Tonga eruption impacts on cooling and solar power

After I heard about the Tongan volcanic eruption, the first thing I did was determine if the Tongans I knew were all right.  While conditions there are serious, they aren’t as bad as they could have been, so they’re probably okay.  Australia and New Zealand are sending relief, which is a relief.  [Read more…]

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