If you're reading the latest about what is happening with solar energy you will notice even more innovation with solar panels and batteries.
We are seeing more powerful solar panels being developed getting more energy from our sun and making more electricity. Also we are seeing new more powerful batteries that are able to store more electricity in your home.
Later this year new products will enable you to make even better decisions that could reduce your electricity costs.
ABC Catalyst recently (February 2016) ran a program
Battery Powered Homes devoted to new technologies. Independent living for more people is closer than ever before.
In the last few months:
So What's Next?
Our earth is bathed in Sunshine - about 1,366 watts of energy/square metre of earth each year.
Capturing the sun's energy efficiently is the task that 1,000's of people world-wide are working to achieve. Each year brings new breakthroughs and replacing or using only 1/2 the amount of Silicon per solar panel is a real possibility.
Also, panels with both Silicon and Gallium Arsenite use different parts of the sunlight hitting the solar panel resulting in a 100% increase in efficiency or double the electricity generated for each solar panel.
Lithium batteries, for house energy storage or electric car storage, could be in competition with Zinc Bromide Gel batteries within the next 12 months. Zinc Bromide Gel and other products are showing far greater efficiency in trials than Silicon.
Read more in the fascinating book: 'Abundance' by P. Diamandis and S.Kotler
We are seeing more powerful solar panels being developed getting more energy from our sun and making more electricity. Also we are seeing new more powerful batteries that are able to store more electricity in your home.
Later this year new products will enable you to make even better decisions that could reduce your electricity costs.
ABC Catalyst recently (February 2016) ran a program
Battery Powered Homes devoted to new technologies. Independent living for more people is closer than ever before.
In the last few months:
- Lithium batteries, used for cars has expanded significantly
- Electric car sales have risen signficantly world wide
- Gallium is used for space satellite solar panels and
- Several alternatives to silicon, used in solar panels, has been developed. These new alternatives are better at turning sunlight into electricity
So What's Next?
Our earth is bathed in Sunshine - about 1,366 watts of energy/square metre of earth each year.
Capturing the sun's energy efficiently is the task that 1,000's of people world-wide are working to achieve. Each year brings new breakthroughs and replacing or using only 1/2 the amount of Silicon per solar panel is a real possibility.
Also, panels with both Silicon and Gallium Arsenite use different parts of the sunlight hitting the solar panel resulting in a 100% increase in efficiency or double the electricity generated for each solar panel.
Lithium batteries, for house energy storage or electric car storage, could be in competition with Zinc Bromide Gel batteries within the next 12 months. Zinc Bromide Gel and other products are showing far greater efficiency in trials than Silicon.
Read more in the fascinating book: 'Abundance' by P. Diamandis and S.Kotler
The Big Story - Alkimos Beach to go 'Off-Grid' by 2020
6,000 Homes, Shopping Centre and Businesses to be Completed in a New Perth Suburb by 2020
ABC Catalyst 2nd Feburary, 2016
Alkimos Beach just north of Perth, Western Australia, is Australia's largest residential development of 6,000 homes powered by solar and storage batteries.
Development started in 2012 and completion is due 2020. Residents, schools, businesses will all be off the mainstream electricity supply and all using the sun. 100% of the homes are being built with solar panels.
It is the first time community-level Lithium battery storage will be tried in an urban residential environment.
How it works for you!
Instead of giving electricity back to the grid under old solar system, the electricity here will be generated by the sun and stored in batteries and used in the homes when they need power.
The developer also benefits, saving more than $100,000-$500,000 by not connecting to the normal electricity supply. The battery system can store up to 1.2 megawatts of power or over 1,000 horsepower.
Residents can save between $10,000 to $20,000 purchase cost per home and their on-going energy bill is less. Charging your phone and/or electric car can all be done at home.
What does this mean?
If more and more Australians are using solar then this reduces the demand for electricity.Therefore our commercial, manufacturing, mining, retail industries and local councils have more opportunities to obtain electricity at lower prices. Many industries and councils can be more self-sustainable. Lower energy costs may mean more jobs. A win for jobs and a win for the environment. A very exciting future prospect!
Lots to consider
See you next time for more of the latest news on all things solar!
6,000 Homes, Shopping Centre and Businesses to be Completed in a New Perth Suburb by 2020
ABC Catalyst 2nd Feburary, 2016
Alkimos Beach just north of Perth, Western Australia, is Australia's largest residential development of 6,000 homes powered by solar and storage batteries.
Development started in 2012 and completion is due 2020. Residents, schools, businesses will all be off the mainstream electricity supply and all using the sun. 100% of the homes are being built with solar panels.
It is the first time community-level Lithium battery storage will be tried in an urban residential environment.
How it works for you!
Instead of giving electricity back to the grid under old solar system, the electricity here will be generated by the sun and stored in batteries and used in the homes when they need power.
The developer also benefits, saving more than $100,000-$500,000 by not connecting to the normal electricity supply. The battery system can store up to 1.2 megawatts of power or over 1,000 horsepower.
Residents can save between $10,000 to $20,000 purchase cost per home and their on-going energy bill is less. Charging your phone and/or electric car can all be done at home.
What does this mean?
If more and more Australians are using solar then this reduces the demand for electricity.Therefore our commercial, manufacturing, mining, retail industries and local councils have more opportunities to obtain electricity at lower prices. Many industries and councils can be more self-sustainable. Lower energy costs may mean more jobs. A win for jobs and a win for the environment. A very exciting future prospect!
Lots to consider
See you next time for more of the latest news on all things solar!