As the energy revolution gains pace, huge numbers of PV panels are already going to landfill. Many are still usable and even those that aren’t contain valuable materials that shouldn’t be discarded.
The very people most in need of the cost savings from installing solar panels are missing out. Better policies are needed to make home solar systems accessible to all Australians.
Will Gorman, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory; Bentham Paulos, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Galen Barbose, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
A study of real-world disasters shows home solar and storage could keep the lights on and the air conditioner running during many outages, but not all.
Until now, a more expensive type of silicon was used to produce the highest-efficiency solar panels. Now there’s a way to use cheaper raw materials, cutting the cost of solar power for everyone.
The soaring power prices expected to hit Australians are yet another reason the Albanese government should turbocharge its efforts on renewable energy and storage.
China’s cheaper solar panels made it harder for U.S. companies to compete.
Ruan Xuefeng/VCG via Getty Images
The tariffs targeting cheap Chinese imports mean prices in the US are higher than average, at the same time Biden is pushing for more renewable energy. But their effect might surprise you.
RioTinto’s Kennecott mine in Utah produces a variety of metals, including copper, gold and silver.
(arbyreed/Flickr)
Sally Innis, University of British Columbia; Benjamin Cox, University of British Columbia; John Steen, University of British Columbia, and Nadja Kunz, University of British Columbia
Simple economic modelling shows the mining industry would benefit from a carbon tax.
In Lesotho, solar panels generate power for households.
Max Pixel
Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the world’s most sunlit regions. A prototype generator uses that sunlight in place of diesel to support unreliable electricity grids.
The U.S. has thousands of lakes and reservoirs that could be paired for pumped hydro storage without the need for rivers.
Ollo via Getty Images
Andrew Blakers, Australian National University; Bin Lu, Australian National University, and Matthew Stocks, Australian National University
A team of researchers found 35,000 pairs of existing reservoirs, lakes and old mines in the US that could be turned into long-term energy storage – and they don’t need dams on rivers.
Australia has one of the highest rooftop solar installation rates in the world, which is great news for our efforts to reduce emissions. But can the grid keep up?
Such tension has played out over many decades between agricultural communities and coal companies. We can avoid history repeating itself if we urgently set the right policies and laws in place.
The electric vehicle transition is about more than just scrapping petrol cars. We must also ensure quality technology, anticipate the future and make sure no-one gets left behind.