When it comes to a photovoltaic (PV) system, thoughtful planning is the foundation of a successful project. Experience has shown that 80% of successful solar systems depend on the decisions that are made in the first 20% of the project planning phase. This article provides detailed insights on critical factors for creating an efficient and long-life PV system. [ + ]

Monash University has improved its overall sustainability through a mixture of energy-efficiency initiatives, behavioural change and renewable energy installations. [ + ]

Security is at the forefront of many executives’ minds, and to compound the issues the industry is undergoing a transformation - or what the industry pundits term as convergence. This article discusses the challenges presented by the convergence of physical security and IT and the benefits of a holistic approach. [ + ]

Australia's largest grid-connected solar power system with Enphase microinverters has been installed at the Glenlyn Aged Care Facility in Glenroy, Victoria. The project was carried out by EnviroGroup in conjunction with Yingli Solar. [ + ]

This article examines how plant operators can win their battle against an invisible enemy which has the potential to cause equipment failures that negatively impact on business. [ + ]

130 Stirling Street is one of the first buildings in Perth to attain a 5.5 star rating under the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) without using GreenPower. [ + ]

Building a low-cost solar cell that is both highly efficient and simple to construct has thus far proved elusive. However, a research team from Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, has made a major leap forward. [ + ]

The 2013 NECA Market Monitor released in September clearly shows that although industry charge-out rates have gone up by 7% since the 2011 survey - the cost of doing business has risen by around 25% over the past year alone. So the average electrical contractor is considerably worse off today than they were two years ago. [ + ]

The production of multicrystalline-silicon (c-Si) solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is set to dominate PV manufacturing during 2014, with p-type multi c-Si technology accounting for 62% of all modules produced, according to the latest NPD Solarbuzz PV Equipment Quarterly report. [ + ]

Major changes to requirements regarding building envelope, lighting, mechanical and the energy cost budget are contained in the newly published energy standard from ASHRAE and IES. [ + ]

Harbour City Ferries has significantly improved safety of its staff, vessels and other users of Sydney Harbour with installation of FLIR M320L thermal imaging cameras across its entire fleet. [ + ]

Doltone House, Hyde Park, one of Sydney's most iconic venues, has undergone a major refurbishment that is expected to lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency. [ + ]

NTU scientists have developed a solar cell made from organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite materials which they say is about five times cheaper than current thin-film solar cells, due to a simpler, solution-based manufacturing process. [ + ]

Energy-efficiency improvements have slowed down, reveals the World Energy Council's latest study. The report shows that more and more countries are now involved in energy-efficiency policies, but also highlights numerous factors that have affected energy-efficiency progress across 85 countries, representing more than 90% of global consumption. [ + ]

Online business opportunities provide many obvious benefits, including: access to new markets; extending business beyond traditional trading hours; receiving payments more immediately; reducing inventories; and reducing the overheads associated with operating in physical premises. [ + ]