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Microwaving solar panels makes them easier to recycle

<div> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/news/solar-cells-essential-for-brighter-future/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Solar cell</a> manufacturing and recycling should be easier with a surprising new discovery by Macquarie University scientists – that uses a commercial microwave. While they’re being made, the silicon in solar panels goes through a process called “annealing”, which involves heating the materials to temperatures well above 500°C. Annealing is usually done with ovens. But a study <a href="https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0127896" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a> in Applied Physics Letters shows that microwaves are not only faster and more energy efficient for the job, but make the panels much easier to disassemble, and thus recycle, at the end of life. This is because microwave radiation heats individual substances – like the water in food, or silicon. “It just heats the very thin layer of silicon rather than heating the bulk of the materials around, and it’s really fast,” says lead author Dr Binesh Puthen Veettil, a researcher at Macquarie University’s School of Engineering. This also makes the process easier, because the microwave doesn’t have to be as carefully cleaned. “In most of the high temperature processes, lots of contaminants come out of the walls of the oven. But in this case, the heat is flowing from the silicon outwards, while everything else is at room temperature, it’s kind of a pseudo room temperature process where the contaminants don’t get diffused from outside,” says Veettil. “But the thing we are most excited about is the benefit to recycling.” Currently, solar cell recycling is a very <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/sustainability/solar-panel-recycling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">energy intense process</a> which involves crushing up the panels and heating them to temperatures of at least 1000°C, so that all of the expensive elements can be extracted. This method destroys some of the reusable solar cell components: particularly, the toughened glass on the top of the panel. “This glass contains most of the weight of the solar panel,” explains Veettil. That glass is stuck to a layer of plastic, usually ethylene vinyl acetate, which keeps the silicon plate underneath dry. This plastic is too hard to remove, so the whole thing is smashed up, with the glass sold as scrap. But microwaving the silicon specifically softens the plastic, making it easy to peel. “You can just peel off the silicon cell, without destroying the glass, and you can reuse that expensive glass,” says Veettil. “If you can reuse the glass, the recycling will pay for itself.” Plus, it doesn’t need the same high temperatures, or extra chemicals needed to wash and dissolve the plastic. For now, the process is lab-based – and only for solar panels that fit in a commercial microwave. “Initially, when we started the research, we used a laboratory microwave that we purchased from a US company,” says Veettil. “And we after that, we purchased some kitchen microwaves locally, and modified it to suit our purposes.” This modification involved heat-proofing the microwave so that it could handle the annealing temperatures. “It goes from room temperature to 500° Celsius in just two seconds,” says Veettil. (Depending on the size of the sample: bigger things take longer.) But the researchers have a patent pending for the recycling process, and are now investigating how to improve and commercialise it. “We are hoping that with some industry collaboration and funding, we can scale it up,” says Veettil. “Recycling needs to be meet two conditions: it should be environmentally friendly, and second, it should pay for itself. “I’m pretty sure, with the numbers I have in mind, it will it will be profitable and then the market will take care of itself and it organically grow recycling centres. That’s my hope.” </div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/microwaving-solar-panels-recycling/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Ellen Phiddian. Images: Getty </div>

Technology

Travelling around the globe might not have to cost the Earth

The last time you booked a flight online, you may have been offered the chance to ‘offset’ the carbon produced by your travel. This is due in part to recognition that the aviation industry is responsible for around 5% of human-made emissions resulting in climate change. The efforts by this sector to respond to its environmental impact can range from switching fuels (from coal to biomass, for instance), more efficient combustion processes (by improving aircraft engines, for example), protecting forests or promoting sustainable development in local communities. Now, in a potentially ground-breaking innovation for long-haul flights, a team of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürisch (ETH Zurich) have developed an all-in-one solar-powered tower that’s able to use energy from the Sun’s rays to convert water and carbon dioxide into synthetic fuels. Think: water + carbon dioxide = energy. Sound familiar? Well, it should. It’s what many plants do to make energy for themselves. The ETH Zurich process has a lot in common, really, explains Dr Jessica Allen, a chemical engineer and renewable energy technologies expert at the University of Newcastle. Although in this case, “industrial photosynthesis might be a better term as this particular process doesn’t involve any physiological mechanisms like plants and living material”, says Allen. The proof-of-concept solar tower consists of 169 Sun-tracking panels that reflect and concentrate sunlight into a tower-top solar reactor. Here, energy from the Sun’s rays meets a combination of water, carbon dioxide and a special structure made of ceria (cerium oxide), which is porous and “acts like a filter network, undergoing many reduction-oxidation (also known as redox) reactions”, says Allen. These reaction cycles produce syngas (synthesis gas), which is then converted to liquid fuels such as diesel and kerosene (which is used as jet fuel for long-haul flights) via a well-established process known as the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, which typically occurs in the presence of metal catalysts, temperatures of 150–300°C and pressures of several tens of atmospheres. Much work remains to translate the process to industrial scale. Currently, the energy efficiency of the process is only at 4%, meaning that out of 100 parts of energy available, only four parts are captured in the process. This is something the researchers are keen to push up towards around 15%. According to Allen, that’s still at the low end of the energy efficiency of current solar-to-electricity and solar-to-thermal energy generation. She says that efficiency is crucial when it comes to systems that use land area for solar collection (such as solar panels and the ETH Zurich tower’s reflectors): “A low efficiency will mean a large land area to generate the required fuel.” Where the CO2 comes from is also very important. At present, it’s injected into the system, but the next obvious step is to start capturing it directly from the air. At that point the fuel production process might be considered carbon neutral, as the amount of CO2 captured from the air is the same as the amount released during fuel combustion. Direct-from-air carbon dioxide capture comes at a cost, though. “There is a fairly major energy penalty for doing direct air capture, because it’s quite hard to filter out carbon dioxide from the rest of the gasses,” says Allen. Then there’s the carbon footprint related to the manufacture and production of equipment and materials, but Allen urges a long-term outlook: “In the system that we’re in at the moment there will be an emission penalty for the materials, however, in the long term, we’ll eventually be manufacturing these things using zero emission approaches.” This will make the whole process – and not just the fuel itself – carbon neutral. The average fuel consumption of a Boeing 747 (which are still used as long-haul cargo transport today) is around 4L per second. For a flight of 10 hours, this equates to 144,000L of fuel. In the future, EHT Zurich researchers will work to increase the system’s energy efficiency to 15%, capture more heat in the process and improve the ceria structures in the reactor in addition to capturing CO2 directly from the air. Their long-term aim is to scale the process to an industrial size – in which enough fuel can be produced to truly fly us into a carbon-neutral aviation future. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/carbon-neutral-travel-wont-cost-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Clare Kenyon. Image: Shutterstock

Travel Trouble

How to choose the best solar panels for your home

The solar industry has seen a rapid growth over the past decade and become the cleanest, greenest and cheapest source of electricity. As electricity bills continue to rise at an exponential level, switching to solar makes sense. With many solar providers out there offering different services for widely differing costs, it's easy to get lost in the semantics of switching to solar. Luckily, Beau Savage, Co-Founder of <a href="https://smartenergy.co/au/">Smart Energy</a>, has shared his top tips to consider when finding the right solar provider for your home. Evaluate your home The first step is to figure out if solar power is right for you. There are a few reasons why solar might not suit, including renters, apartment-dwellers, and anyone who lives in a shady spot might not be the ideal candidate for solar power. Luckily there are other ways to reduce your carbon footprint. “If conditions don’t suit, it might be better to invest in a 100 per cent carbon neutral energy plan,” says Beau. Do your research Shopping for solar is no different to buying new furniture. It’s important to shop around for the best deal by looking at user reviews, comparing prices and services, and talking to experts before locking down a provider. Beau says, “The only negative reviews you want to see appearing on a good company should be from those who delayed getting and wished they’d done it sooner.” Find the right company While there’s nothing wrong with prioritising affordability and cost comparison, be aware that low costs can occasionally translate to poor customer service and unreliable installers. According to Beau, “For the best long term results, choose a solar company who uses local installers so that if there is a problem, there will always be someone ready to immediately fix the issue.” Find the right spot When it comes to solar power, location is key. The last thing you want is to discover that your installer has placed the panels in a bad spot, which only leads to more costs to correct the error. “When having an initial consultation it is essential to ask whether or not the company you are talking to sends trained engineers who can look at your roof, its shading and sunlight levels. This will ensure that you will get the most out of your solar system.” In order to get the most of your solar power, make sure there are no obstructions to your panels, and be sure to monitor the system’s performance to make sure you’re getting the very best green energy. Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Solar curtailment is emerging as a new challenge to overcome as Australia dashes for rooftop solar

Almost <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australia-reaches-3-million-households-with-rooftop-solar-20211108-p59721.html">a third</a> of Australia’s estimated <a href="https://www.ibisworld.com/au/bed/number-of-households/31/">ten million households</a> now have solar on the roof. But as the nation moving fastest to produce energy on our homes, we are also encountering teething problems, such as “curtailment” of output. This issue will be one we have to overcome as ever more Australians install solar. Our grids were designed primarily for large fossil fuel power stations transmitting electricity in one direction, while solar households both consume and export power. That means in some conditions, household solar may contribute to spikes in voltage levels outside of the acceptable range, especially as voltage levels are typically already high. To counter this, your solar system can stop exporting to the grid or even shut down temporarily if voltage levels are too high. This is called “curtailment”. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436513/original/file-20211209-21-qfm0ve.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436513/original/file-20211209-21-qfm0ve.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Solar technicians installing panels" /></a> The rush for solar shows no signs of slowing – but curtailment could be a stumbling block. Shutterstock <h2>So what’s the issue?</h2> The average solar household lose less than 1% of its power production to curtailment – and even less for those with home batteries. While that sounds minor, an unlucky few households are losing as much as 20%. Why the drastic difference? It depends on factors like the house’s location, the local electricity network equipment, home wiring, the number of solar systems in the area, and the size of a solar system and inverter settings, which can vary depending on the date of installation. These findings are from <a href="https://www.racefor2030.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/CANVAS-Succinct-Final-Report_11.11.21.pdf">our scoping study</a> in South Australia, conducted in partnership with AGL, SA Power Networks and Solar Analytics as part of the <a href="https://www.racefor2030.com.au/">RACE for 2030</a> research centre. We analysed two out of three modes of automatic curtailment, with further research underway to assess the third mode, which may account for greater overall curtailment. This issue is set to get bigger, as more and more solar systems are installed and export to the grid at the same time. Given the different ways solar households experience curtailment, this research also raises issues of fairness. Our research interviewed and ran focus groups with South Australians who have solar. We found most participants didn’t know about curtailment and hadn’t experienced it or noticed it. But when we described curtailment, most people found it off-putting and questioned whether rooftop solar owners should be made to absorb any losses, given the contribution of rooftop solar to the renewable energy transition. Not only that, our participants told us they believed the issue could slow down the adoption of solar and potentially undermine faith in the system. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436514/original/file-20211209-19-azcfvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/436514/original/file-20211209-19-azcfvo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" alt="Power pylons" /></a> Australia’s rapid renewable transition means challenges to overcome for the grid. Shutterstock <h2>Is this a problem for solar uptake?</h2> The issue of curtailment means people may not get everything they expect out of their solar system. But this may not be a deal breaker, given <a href="https://ecss.energyconsumersaustralia.com.au/behaviour-survey-oct-2021/purchase-intentions/">earlier research</a> and our study both show that people hope to benefit in many different ways from installing a solar system. For instance, some want to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a cleaner grid. Others want to be less reliant on electricity providers and enjoy producing and using their own energy. And some just want cheaper electricity, and don’t mind whether they get these savings through selling their power or just buying less of what they need from the grid. The good news is that as the solar sector matures, new ways are emerging of maximising value from our solar, including: <ul> <li>home energy management systems letting us time the use of appliances such as <a href="https://www.pv-magazine-australia.com/2021/09/06/unsw-study-channelling-rooftop-pv-into-water-heating-is-a-residential-super-saver/">hot water tanks</a> for daytime periods, when solar generates most power</li> <li>batteries letting us store power for use in the home when it is needed, such as in the evening</li> <li><a href="https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/09/virtual-power-plant/">virtual power plants</a> enabling households to be paid for allowing their solar and battery systems to help stabilise the electricity grid.</li> </ul> While attractive in their own right, these options can also reduce how much your solar system is curtailed, and have the potential to help tackle challenges at a grid scale. Other changes to electricity and grid access and pricing could also help us better manage curtailment. <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-15/sa-power-networks-to-control-solar-exports-in-adelaide-trial/100070068">Flexible export limits</a> being trialled in South Australia and elsewhere would mean households could export electricity to the grid when it is needed, while occasionally being prevented from doing so when the network does not have capacity. Flexible export limits also mean households can install larger solar systems regardless of their location within the network. They could stop curtailment affecting solar households in unexpected and uneven ways. Other responses include <a href="https://discover.agl.com.au/solar/helping-to-maximise-your-solar-savings/">programs to reward households</a> for having their export curtailed, recognising it as a service to the market and the network. There is no single solution to the issue of curtailment. But the different solutions described above may contribute to the successful integration of more rooftop solar energy and pave the way for a more renewable grid. Now is the time to talk about the future of solar in Australia, and the ways we can value it, use it and manage it when abundant.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172152/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sophie-adams-1203744">Sophie Adams</a>, Research Fellow, School of Humanities and Languages, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/baran-yildiz-1259582">Baran Yildiz</a>, Senior Research Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/naomi-stringer-1296976">Naomi Stringer</a>, Research Associate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/shanil-samarakoon-1295900">Shanil Samarakoon</a>, Lecturer, Centre for Social Impact, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-curtailment-is-emerging-as-a-new-challenge-to-overcome-as-australia-dashes-for-rooftop-solar-172152">original article</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Home Hints & Tips

Beware the lure of unethical solar power

<div> <div class="copy"> Solar energy may be the future. But only if it lets go of the past. International NGO the <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/09/to-lead-the-green-energy-future-solar-must-clean-up-its-supply-chains/" target="_blank">World Economic Forum</a> has issued a damning report card on the state of the world’s solar panel manufacturing. It may be experiencing rapid growth. It may be one of the cheapest sources of power. But its climate credentials face intense scrutiny. Forced labour, coal-fuelled production processes and a lack of transparency around the source of crucial components combine, the WEF says, into a cause for concern. “The solar industry is currently grappling with supply chain issues that could significantly impact its future,” the authors, professors Morgan Bazilian and Dustin Mulvaney, write. Much of their concern is concentrated on the production of polysilicon and the drive to make it cheap. Some 45% of global production of this component is sourced from Xinjiang province in China. And much of the labour force used to produce it is supplied by “re-education camps” detaining ethnic Kazakhs and Kyrgyz. On top of that, the remote desert region relies heavily on locally sourced coal for its power supply. “This attracted polysilicon manufacturers to this region of China in the first place because electricity is a major cost in the production process,” the report reads. Read more: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/solar-and-wind-cheapest-energy-source-in-australia/" target="_blank">Solar and wind cheapest energy source in Australia</a> This, they say, undermines any climate and environmental benefits offered by solar panels further down the supply chain. “Solar panels are cheaper to build and install today in many places than alternative sources of electricity like coal and natural gas, translating to lower levels of greenhouse gases and air pollution,” they write. But Professor Alistair Sproul of the ANU’s School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering says photovoltaic power has more than enough wiggle room in its pricing to clean up its act. Much of the price drop in photovoltaic (PV) production in recent years has been driven by advances in technology, particularly crystalline silicon, he says. “Even if the price stayed where it is now or went up a little – PV is very cost-competitive.” Under current life-cycle <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.nrel.gov/analysis/life-cycle-assessment.html" target="_blank">calculations</a>, crystalline silicon PV cells produce about 50g of CO2 for every kilowatt-hour of electricity. Black coal, in comparison, comes in at 1000g of CO2 per kWh. “The PV industry is growing each decade or so by a factor of 10 – this next decade is crucial – but as scale increases, costs will come down anyway – and the industry is not reliant on forced labour,” says Sproul. “Low-cost energy is really key here – so that there is a virtuous cycle – that as PV itself becomes cheaper it should be possible to lower the cost of producing PV further by utilising increasing amounts of PV electricity in manufacturing.” Sproul says materials that need coal for processing – especially steel – are all seeking alternatives. “Hydrogen is definitely an avenue worth exploring as an alternative to coal to reduce iron oxide (for steel) and silicon dioxide ( for silicon). [And] all supply chains need to be clear, transparent and free from forced labour.” Image credit: Shutterstock  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=167605&title=Beware+the+lure+of+unethical+solar+power" alt="" width="1" height="1" />  </div> <div id="contributors"> This article was originally published on <a rel="noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/energy/beware-the-lure-of-unethical-solar-power/" target="_blank">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Jamie Seidel. </div> </div>

Technology

Mum's urgent warning against exploding Christmas lights

A mum has raised concerns after a set of solar-powered lights from Kmart exploded in the sun and severely burnt a wall outside her home. The woman from Queensland recently took to Facebook to warn others in case the same thing happens to them, as she shared multiple photos revealing the damage caused by the explosion. She reassured that no one was hurt and thanks to quick-thinking neighbours, embers were extinguished before dry glass was set alight. “Thank God for neighbours or things could have been a lot worse,” she captioned her post. “Solar panel on Xmas lights exploded. Bought them from Kmart approx. (sic) 3 weeks ago. “Will be notifying the store I brought them from tomorrow.” Kmart is currently selling Anko branded solar-powered LED multi-coloured string lights for $34 for a pack of 500. <img style="width: 480px; height: 480px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7833577/1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/b920f6ca3e2c41d0a3cd1f2f79a337ee" /> According to information on the store’s website, the lights are suitable for outdoor use. “Set the mood for the Christmas season with our festive LED string lights that will look stunning in your backyard!” reads the product description. Since sharing her warning, the post has received over 1800 reactions and hundreds of comments from concerned people. “My husband’s just gone to take ours down,” wrote one person. “I don’t know if it’s the same type but they are from Kmart so not risking it.” While another added: “This is so concerning! Glad I don’t have any of them, but not so good for the thousands of people that do!” A spokesperson from Kmart said the retailer had reached out to the customer to offer support as part of a commitment to ensuring all products are “fully compliant with regulations and safety standards”. “At Kmart Australia safety is our number one priority and we are committed to ensuring the products we sell are fully compliant with regulations and safety standards,” said the spokesperson. “We have reached out to the customer to offer support and conduct a review of their case.”

Home & Garden

Are you a frequent flyer? Solar storm radiation can be harmful

Space weather <a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-eruption-could-help-earth-prepare-for-technology-melt-down-18747">impacts</a> many modern-day technologies. But one of the most concerning – and least reported – space weather effects is the increased radiation exposure to passengers on commercial long-distance flights during so-called “<a href="http://www.spaceweather.com/glossary/srs.html">solar radiation storms</a>”. The NASA-funded Nowcast of Atmospheric Ionizing Radiation System (<a href="http://sol.spacenvironment.net/~nairas/">NAIRAS</a>) is the computer system tasked with providing a real-time data-driven climatology of the aviation radiation environment. Recently, a series of papers published in the journal [Space Weather] estimate that when NAIRAS was turned off during the US government shutdown last year – which went into effect just as a solar radiation storm began – <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013SW001015/abstract">500,000 people</a> received increased radiation doses. It has also been estimated that this event is likely to eventually result in four cancer-related deaths. What is a solar radiation storm? Disturbances on the surface of the sun are commonly the cause of geomagnetic disturbances here on Earth; such as power grid faults/failures and increased errors in GPS navigation and positioning. Associated with some of these solar disturbances is the ejection of extremely fast plasma into the solar wind that, when aimed directly towards the Earth, causes the onset of increased geomagnetic and ionospheric activity. The Earth-bound solar energetic particles ejected into the solar wind eventually penetrate into the Earth’s magnetosphere. When inside the magnetosphere, they orbit the planet across the Earth’s magnetic field lines until they are scattered by various complicated magnetospheric processes and interactions. Once scattered, these solar particles then travel down the magnetic field lines until they impact the Earth’s upper atmosphere, where they are effectively absorbed. The penetration depth of these particles primarily depends on their kinetic energy, which is governed by their mass and velocity. The less energetic particles are stopped by the Earth’s atmosphere typically between 100 and 400km altitude, causing the well-known <a href="http://spaceweathergallery.com/aurora_gallery.html">aurora</a> in the northern and southern high-latitude regions. The atmosphere increases in density exponentially as the particle falls. This normally prevents particles penetrating to lower altitudes where they are harmful to living organisms. The more energetic particles, called “solar energetic particles”, caused by these solar disturbances can <a href="http://www.dartmouth.edu/~barrel/index.html">penetrate</a> to below 10km, near of commercial flights. During such events, the danger posed by the increased radiation levels is easily averted by decreasing the cruising altitudes of the aircraft. Pilots can also divert their flight paths to areas less affected by the increased radiation levels (more equatorward latitudes). Several chest X-rays worth of radiation The aviation radiation monitoring performed in real-time by computer systems such as NAIRAS can effectively be used to issue such warnings to aircraft. This will help remove the threat posed to hundreds of thousands of people across the globe during such space weather events. The geomagnetic activity levels associated with the solar radiation storm that occurred during the US government shutdown were only minor (a minimum <a href="https://theconversation.com/solar-eruption-could-help-earth-prepare-for-technology-melt-down-18747">Dst</a> of -54nT). This means the technologies normally classified as being <a href="https://theconversation.com/divert-power-to-shields-the-solar-maximum-is-coming-11228">vulnerable</a> to extreme space weather events are not likely to have been significantly affected. The solar energetic particle levels observed by <a href="http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/satellite/goes/index.html">geostationary satellites</a> classifies this as an <a href="http://www.spaceweather.com/glossary/srs.html">S2</a>solar radiation storm. It lasted more than 24 hours, and took about four days to fully subside (see video below). Some controversy exists around the exact method used by the scientists of the first <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2013SW001015/abstract">study</a>into this event. There has been doubt around the estimation of the number of eventual cancer fatalities related to this solar radiation storm. Even though the radiation levels air travellers were exposed to during this event are much higher than they might have been had an appropriate warning been issued, they were still comparatively low – on par with the dose that one would receive from a number of chest X-rays. Arguments put forward by some <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014SW001074/abstract">researchers</a> err on the side of caution. They indicate that some people who would be considered more vulnerable to increased radiation exposure (such as frequent flyers and unborn children) should have access to this radiation monitoring information. This would enable them to make educated decisions about appropriate air travel times in much the same way that non-urgent X-rays may be postponed during pregnancy. <a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014SW001061/abstract">Other researchers</a> have erred on the opposite side, with the view that the radiation doses during this event were too small to be considered a serious threat. Independent of whether or not this particular space weather event exposed air travellers to dangerous levels of radiation, these studies are in clear agreement that increasing radiation monitoring is a must in the future. This is especially important for the aviation industry, and the provision of such information must not be hindered by short-term political partisan interests. Written by Brett Carter. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/are-you-a-frequent-flyer-solar-storm-radiation-can-be-harmful-28775">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

How to install solar lights

Garden features can be highlighted subtly using solar lights, which don’t require mains power as they feature internal batteries that are charged by a solar panel. This is usually attached to the light itself or positioned nearby. Step 1: Position solar panel Choose a sunny spot in the garden and position the panel by driving the plastic stake into the ground. The lights will operate best if the panel is north-facing and receives sun for most of the day. Step 2: Attach leads Insert the leads into the panel and run them across the lawn or the garden bed out of the way so they’re not a trip hazard. Secure the leads by pegging them into the ground every metre using stainless steel pegs. Step 3: Switch on lights Leave the panel in the sun for several days to charge the batteries, then set the switch on the solar panel to automatic. The solar sensor will turn on the lights once the sun has set. If the lights are dim or don’t work, reposition the panel. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.handyman.net.au/how-install-solar-lights">Handyman Australia</a>.

Home & Garden

How solar panels can help you cut the cost on your electricity bill

New research from the University of South Australia has shown that battery power storage has reached a tipping point where it’s worth the money and can help save families money. Samantha Corns’ family of five uses batteries to power their home. The battery stores energy generated by her rooftop solar panels and costs her $9,000 after subsidies. It has dramatically decreased her power bills. “We should be absolutely zero, in credits actually,” Ms Corns told <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/new-research-finds-battery-storage-can-save-families-money/c09411f6-4dfe-4127-a7a2-ddc7dcf62a6f">9News</a>. “It just made financial sense then.” Researcher Vanika Sharma agrees. “They can actually save money now, if they get the right battery at the right size, at the right price,” researcher Vanika Sharma said. However, it’s important to do your research before jumping into the world of solar panels. This includes knowing the size of current solar panels, how much energy your household consumes per day, the price of power currently and how much you’d get for feeding the power generated from the battery back. “Definitely we need something to become reliable... and the battery storage is that. It will make that solar energy reliable,” Ms Sharma said.

Family & Pets

Family's despair after power bills increase by 400% due to law change

When Lee and Warren Mullaly purchased their new home in Forster, NSW they were thrilled. Having pre-installed solar panelling would ensure that their electricity bill would remain low, and while that was the case for a period of time, this year, the semi-retired couple are paying over $400 each quarter. “The government incentive finished and even though we were aware this was going to happen, we still thought our bills were going to be significantly lower,” Lee Mullaly told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/money/costs/changes-to-solar-feedin-tariffs-have-caused-huge-increases-to-power-bills/news-story/a5bafadf063bcb2f99b0d739feac0296" target="_blank">News.com.au</a>. Without a battery, the Mullaly's only find their solar panels beneficial during the day as the power produced must be used immediately. And in the evenings when the panels are not generating electricity, any power they use during that period comes from the grid. With their bill previously coming in at $95 a quarter, they are now facing an increase of $1400 more than what they paid the year before. This is the consequence of the Solar Bonus Scheme that was initiated by the NSW Government, ending on 31 December 2016. With the scheme paying households 60c or 20c per kilowatt an hour for the electricity they provided to the grid, many families benefited greatly. Now, as the scheme has shut down, households have taken a hit, and with a battery costing $15,000 to install for the semi-retired couple, the Mullaly's believe that the outlay wouldn’t be worth it. “We’ve got to watch what we spend, we haven’t got a lot of money coming in and we’ve got to weigh up the benefits,” said Lee Mullally. The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) sets a recommended price for retailers, but it is not mandatory for retailers to follow. This year, the suggested benchmark dropped by 44 per cent due to below average wholesale electricity prices. Solar expert and ShineHub co-founder Alex Georgiou said this year’s changes to feed-in tariff rates could see families losing around $300 a year on a 5-kilowatt system. “If a person is not home to use solar power during the day, around 75 per cent of this is sent back to the grid,” he said. While an average household could have earned $657 a year selling power to the grid at a price of 12 cents, this year, that price would drop to $355 if they get 6.5 cents. When asked if she would consider a solar panelling system now, Mrs Mullaly said she would never do it without installing a battery first. “If you are thinking about getting panels you need to get a battery because ultimately it will be a huge saving and will take the worry away.” Do you have solar panelling on your home? Tell us in the comments below.

Retirement Income

How this Aussie couple reduced their electricity bill to $3.79

As families across Australia <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/retirement-income/2017/09/aussies-set-to-receive-another-power-bill-shock/" target="_blank">brace themselves for another hefty power bill</a>, one Aussie couple has revealed how they reduced their electricity costs to less than $5 a month. David Kidd and his wife Jenny paid just $3.79 for electricity in the month of September. For less than a cup of coffee in some major cities, they were able to <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/retirement-income/2017/10/energy-bills-drop-under-new-plan/" target="_blank">meet their daily power needs</a>. But how did the Northern NSW couple manage this feat? Well, it all comes down to the solar panels on the roof of their two-storey home. <a href="http://www.news.com.au" target="_blank">News.com.au </a>reports the Kidds fitted the panels to the east side of their home in August with a goal to get their bills as close to zero as possible. And it’s working. “It feels great to be able to provide the bulk of our electricity needs from our own installation with the grid only as a backup for longer periods of cloudy weather,” Mr Kidd, 64, said. “We are finding that, even on days of long cloudy periods, we can largely supply our needs.” The Kidds already has a small existing solar system, and recently added extra panels and a battery, at a cost of $12,500. But the shift saw an immediate drop in their bills. “Without any solar, my bills were up over $200 per month,” he said. “With my small system, the bills were $120 a month, but when the new solar and battery system was installed in late August, my September bill immediately dropped to $3.79. “The benefits were instantaneous." While it will take a few years for the Kidds to recoup the cost of their investment, they feel as though they’ve made the right choice, especially as power bills continue to spike. “Solar is easy to install and integrate, provides whatever degree of energy independence you wish to achieve and can afford — it takes away the worry of what your energy bill will look like each quarter and provides insurance against future electricity price rises,” Kidd says. “For me, solar is a no brainer. It’s clean, cheap and sustainable.” Have you considered solar panel as an option? What do you think is the right approach to tackle the rising power costs? Let us know in the comments section below.

Money & Banking

How to make sure your solar panel is worth it

Customers who are planning to put solar power systems on their homes are being warned to make sure it makes financial sense first. How does it work? Solar panels are fitted on to a house, usually to the roof, positioned to capture as much sunshine as possible. They then generate power, which is fed back into the system. More expensive set-ups sometimes have batteries to hold the power that is generated. Vector is currently taking expressions of interest for a Tesla Energy battery that it will soon offer. These are expected to cost $7000 or more for the battery alone. A cheaper, and more common, option is a grid-tied system, where power is sold back to electricity suppliers if it is not used as it is generated. Does a solar power system save money? Whether you end up better off depends a lot on how you use your power. A good quality grid-tied system big enough to cater for a typical household costs about $12,000. Some power companies used to pay the same rate for solar power as they charged customers. That meant there were big savings to be made. But solar power specialist Phil Rumble, of Rumble Electrical, said there were ways to increase the benefits. He recommended customers make use of the timers on their appliances to set them to run when solar power was being generated. "On top of that you can get energy management systems that can range from a basic style that looks after your hot water to one that turns on and off your spa, fridge, underfloor heating… that can refine it down to using 70 per cent or 80 per cent of your solar production." What's changing? The problem for the distribution networks in particular is that their pricing structures are not set up to cater for anyone who is generating their own electricity. Lines companies' costs are largely fixed but their charges are split between a daily fixed rate and a portion based on household energy consumption. When customers switch to solar, they cut this variable charge, even though they still require the infrastructure to get power to their houses for the times when solar is not providing. Do you have a solar panel? Written by Susan Edmunds. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Money & Banking

NASA has made a discovery beyond our solar system

For centuries, mankind has contemplated the mysteries of not only our solar system, but the entire universe. Now, it seems, we could be on the brink of a breakthrough. NASA have announced they will hold a news conference today (Wednesday 22) at 1pm EST (tomorrow 7am NZT) to present exciting new findings on exoplanets – that is, “planets that orbit stars other than our sun”. The nature of the discovery is not yet known, but due to the high-profile researchers due to attend the announcement, many are optimistic that it may concern extra-terrestrial life. These exoplanets are our main hope for life beyond our solar system, given their close resemblance to our own planet. Members of the public will be given the opportunity to speak directly to NASA scientists following the press conference, either on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA or during an AMA (“Ask me anything”) session on Reddit. Do you believe scientists will discover life beyond our solar system in our lifetime? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2017/02/qantas-introduces-dimmable-windows/">Qantas getting rid of window shutters</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/monopoly-replaces-thimble-after-82-years/">Monopoly to replace the thimble after 82 years</a> <a href="/news/news/2017/02/never-charge-phone-in-public-port/">Why you should never charge your phone in a public port</a>

News

Home battery storage could “revolutionise” solar industry

Pairing solar panels with home battery storage could be the cheapest electricity option within three years, according to a report by the Climate Council. The not-for-profit group said battery storage would "revolutionise" the way people accessed electricity, as it would let homes get off the traditional grid. As grid electricity becomes more expensive, the report said Australia could be the number one market for home battery storage. "Anyone who has PV [photovoltaic cells] on their roof knows they're paid a fraction – maybe a tenth – of what it costs them to buy power off the grid," the Climate Council's Andrew Stock told ABC. "If they have a tool, a battery, that can allow them to store the surplus power during the day and use it at night, it means they're going to get greater control than they already have over their power bill." In April, US-based technology and automotive company Tesla revealed their cheap lithium ion battery, Powerwall. They are planning to mass produce them and by 2020, the factory is expected to produce 35 gigawatt hours of lithium-ion battery storage each year – that’s more than the entire worldwide production of the batteries in 2013. The battery is estimated to cost around $5,500 and Tesla, along with another of the world's biggest home battery manufacturers, EnPhase, has announced Australia will be its first market. Mr Stock said the technology would upset the existing network operators and believed some companies were already changing their prices in an attempt to stop solar and battery combinations. "It's really important that the traditional players in the industry see this as an opportunity instead of a threat, because if they look at this as an opportunity they'll be thinking 'how do they leverage this technology into their businesses?'" Mr Stock said. "If they see it only as a threat, that will put back Australia from potentially being a leader in the uptake for up to a decade.” Source: ABC Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/11/how-electricity-system-works/">An interesting look at how the electricity system works</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/11/how-to-maximise-solar-energy-system/">5 ways to maximise your solar energy system</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/10/save-energy-in-kitchen/">Tips to save energy in the kitchen</a>

Home & Garden

5 ways to maximise your solar energy system

You’ve done the research and made the big decision to get a solar energy system, but to ensure you get the most out of your system, here are five more things you should do. 1. Get professional installation Installing your own panels can save you a lot of money but you should only do it yourself if you know what you’re doing! Installing solar panels incorrectly can cause a lack of energy absorption, meaning a costly venture in the long run if your panels are not working to their full potential. 2. Find the right place Solar panels need to placed were they will receive the most sun exposure and tipped at an angle towards the sun. A professional installer will be able to help you decide on the best placement but be warned, sometimes the best position might not be the most aesthetically pleasing for the home. 3. Calculate your wattage Before you decide on the number and size of panels needed, you need to calculate the amount of wattage you need. It’s best to do so in the times with the highest energy demands like in winter. This way you’ll be prepared and have sufficient energy year long. 4. Maintain your panels To ensure your panels are in good shape year in year out, check them every year to ensure they are clean and secure. If your rooftop is prone to debris, check your panels more often and make sure to clear debris off panels as they need a direct exposure to the sun for maximum efficiency. Growing trees in your garden might need trimming to ensure there is sun access to the panels as well. 5. Reduce energy consumption To get the best value from your solar energy system, as well as being environmentally friendly, your top priority should be reducing your power usage. There are many little actions you can take that collectively can make a big impact on your power bill.

Home & Garden

A guide to generators and solar panels for your caravan or motorhome

When you carry your hotel room behind you, in the form of a caravan, it can be nice to have your own power source on hand to keep you comfortable, no matter where you are. Not only does it help with things like cooking, climate control, and food storage, it can also free you up to stay just about anywhere.So let’s have a quick look at your options for generators and solar power systems when you’re on the road.GeneratorsA 2000-watt generator is a great idea if you have a caravan or motorhome, as it will enable you to run lights, refrigeration, air conditioning, and some small cooking appliances. A five-litre generator should give you about 15 hours on Eco-throttle – a feature of many quality generators which adjusts the engine speed to meet load demand. A generator with Eco-throttle will have better fuel economy, and will run more quietly.Solar PanelsThink of a solar panel like a battery charger by the sun’s rays. Most modern caravans and motorhomes are charged by the vehicle’s alternator while the engine is running, or by a battery charger when connected to 240V, which is great when you’re staying somewhere with mains power. When you’re not, however, your options are limited. And if you don’t want to put up with the noise pollution of running your engine or a noisy generator, solar panels can be an environmentally friendly, and very quiet alternative.You can find flexible solar panels these days, which are great for use on caravans, motorhomes, and even boats, as they are lightweight and easy to install.Related links:<a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/06/caravan-cooking-vegetable-skewers/">Caravan cooking: vegetable skewers</a><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/06/caravan-shopping-tips/">Before you buy a caravan, read this!</a><a href="/lifestyle/outdoors/2015/06/what-do-in-emergencies/">What to do in emergencies when camping</a>

Domestic Travel

Google can test your home’s solar eligibility

Google has released a new tool that can determine whether your home is viable for solar power. The search engine recently introduced the software, called <a href="https://www.google.com/get/sunroof#p=0" target="_blank">Project Sunroof</a>, which shows users the amount of usable sunlight your home receives per year, your square footage of available solar panel space, and the projected savings you could save over a 20-year period with solar power installed. All you have to do is enter your address. When you enter your address, your home is shown in infrared vision, indicating the amount of sunlight that hits your roof’s surface. It takes into account the amount of solar radiation in your area, plus cloud and temperature patterns and nearby shade. The program even recommends the size of solar panels you should consider based on your average monthly energy bills and gives you the contact information for a solar company near you. At this time, only San Francisco, Fresno, and Boston have searchable addresses, but Project Sunroof will likely expand internationally after covering the rest of the US. In the meantime, <a href="http://pv-map.apvi.org.au/potential" target="_blank">a similar program exists in Australia</a> courteousy of the Australian PV Institute. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/05/how-to-save-money-with-solar-power/">Why retirement marks the perfect time to switch to solar energy</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/does-my-home-qualify-for-solar/">Does my home qualify for solar power?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/solar-energy-saving-tips/">How solar power can save you money</a>

Home & Garden

What to consider before you install solar panels

Solar systems are a great way to save money and offset much of your household’s power needs but there are a three main points to take into consideration before you jump into solar. 1. Size The cost and output of your solar system will depend on the size you choose. Look at your current electricity bill and compare the consumption with what each solar system can generate. Will it meet your power needs? 2. Location As solar systems are dependent on the sun, where you live will have an effect on the performance. Places where there’s abundant sunshine (and less clouds) will have a more effective system. 3. Roof Make sure the pitch, angle and material of your roof is suitable for solar system installation. Also consider how much shade covers your roof as shading will affect the output of a solar system. Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/how-solar-power-works/">How does solar power work?</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/05/save-money-on-energy-bills/">4 ways to save money on your energy bills</a> <a href="/lifestyle/energy/2015/06/solar-energy-saving-tips/">How solar power can save you money</a>

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