The Conversation

Are solar panel fires on the rise and, if so, what can we do about it?

Australia prides itself on being a world leader in household solar but until now we have not fully appreciated the…

January 25, 2021

Everyday Australians are building their own renewables projects, and you can too

Community renewables are the ideal way to generate local investment, build stronger rural economies and ensure the benefits of the…

October 13, 2020

Net zero energy buildings: How to design whole communities that give as much as they take

To speed the transition to zero carbon emissions, the world must think bigger and focus on designing or redeveloping entire…

May 27, 2020

How “zombie” solar cells could power indoor devices without sunlight

UK researchers are working on a new type of smart solar cell that can adapt to the amount of available…

May 18, 2020

How some home builders mislead consumers about energy ratings

A study of the websites of Australia’s largest-volume home builders has revealed how they explain energy efficiency to potential buyers.…

May 8, 2020

How microgrids can keep the power on when disaster hits

Bushfires, storms and floods regularly leave thousands of Australian homes and businesses without power. So how can we build a…

February 12, 2020

Australia still doing bare minimum on new-build home energy efficiency

Australia is still building four in every five new houses to no more than the minimum energy standard – and…

June 25, 2019

The hidden energy cost of smart homes

One of the great hopes of the second digital revolution is that "the internet of things" will help households save…

June 15, 2016

Solar hot water giving you cold showers? Eight tips to warm you up

It is likely that households are not getting the most from their solar hot water systems. So how can you…

September 18, 2015